I've heard alot of chatter about Poncho Tarps lately. Are they any good? They seem light and multi-purpose but are they actually comparable to a normal tarp. I always assumed they'd be a bit small and that the guy attachment points might not be up to much.
Poncho Tarps
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Have a look.
www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2908184&l=146511c21a&id=646762373&subject=Sunday Breakfast
www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2908184&l=146511c21a&id=646762373&subject=Sunday Breakfast
Its an Italian Poncho approx 1.5m x 2.1m and I plan on getting another to double its size.
If the photos don't work, I don't have a plan B
www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2908184&l=146511c21a&id=646762373&subject=Sunday Breakfast
www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2908184&l=146511c21a&id=646762373&subject=Sunday Breakfast
Its an Italian Poncho approx 1.5m x 2.1m and I plan on getting another to double its size.
If the photos don't work, I don't have a plan B
There must be a reason why most armies have dropped the whole poncho idea and replaced it with a dedicated set of waterproofs and a tarp (basha).
Probably the reason for dedicated waterproofs isn't quite so important for bushcraft, but the reason for the basha being that much larger than the poncho it replaces is.
That said, we used to have to fit two people under each poncho, and i survived (and that was in the day of feather filled sleeping bags and no bivvi bags). It just wasn't very comfortable/luxurious (even for one person), so in bushcraft when i can make the rules, i'd always go for a much larger tarp!
Probably the reason for dedicated waterproofs isn't quite so important for bushcraft, but the reason for the basha being that much larger than the poncho it replaces is.
That said, we used to have to fit two people under each poncho, and i survived (and that was in the day of feather filled sleeping bags and no bivvi bags). It just wasn't very comfortable/luxurious (even for one person), so in bushcraft when i can make the rules, i'd always go for a much larger tarp!
Due to my height think I could get on with one.
Like the look of this : - photography-poncho
Sent them an email to find out what size it is.
Like the look of this : - photography-poncho
Sent them an email to find out what size it is.
The army was still using dedicated waterproofs and poncho's for years (long before we got Gore-tex), we used to get issued those horrible PVC crisp bags.
Poncho's were good, they acted as a bergan cover, a basha and waterproofs all in one. They were strong enough that you could fill them with spoil and drag it away without being too worried about ripping them.
They did have draw backs, have you ever tried getting to webbing pouches whilst wearing one. Shooting in them wasn't ideal either. They did used to wet out and anything that touched them got wet, so if you had an old one you were gonna get wet anyway. They have a hood and this obscures your vision / hearing, but if you left the hood down then you got a wet head and it ran down inside your clothing, so even if you had a new one you were gonna get wet anyway.
But most of these drawbacks were related to military life.
The new bashas are not as strong, but they are lighter and larger. The goretex that I was issued with last had no external pockets and it was a nause to get to anything inside, but I could. I could open the pouches on my webbing without a problem and shooting was no problem.
If you like the idea of ponchos try one out for a while and see you think
one point for the first time user:
I've been using a poncho for around 20 years and recently changed to the MOD DPM shelter sheet.
the poncho is unrivaled in it's multi-usefulness but it's down fall is it's multiuse!
consider this scenario which has happened to me many times:
It's raining, you are dry under your poncho, but you need to gather firewood(or some other outside task) do you:
1. take down your shelter and wear it?
(i.e. your kit gets wet but you stay dry)
or
2. leave your shelter and get wet?
(i.e. you get wet but your kit stays dry)
Poncho's only work if you have waterproofs as well!
This makes the "poncho as a coat" pointless,
if you have waterproofs you don't need the hood in the poncho,
so you may as well use a hood-less tarp.
of course the answer is to carry 2 ponchos.
1 as a roof, 1 as a groundsheet or coat.
I've been using a poncho for around 20 years and recently changed to the MOD DPM shelter sheet.
the poncho is unrivaled in it's multi-usefulness but it's down fall is it's multiuse!
consider this scenario which has happened to me many times:
It's raining, you are dry under your poncho, but you need to gather firewood(or some other outside task) do you:
1. take down your shelter and wear it?
(i.e. your kit gets wet but you stay dry)
or
2. leave your shelter and get wet?
(i.e. you get wet but your kit stays dry)
Poncho's only work if you have waterproofs as well!
This makes the "poncho as a coat" pointless,
if you have waterproofs you don't need the hood in the poncho,
so you may as well use a hood-less tarp.
of course the answer is to carry 2 ponchos.
1 as a roof, 1 as a groundsheet or coat.
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I also carry a poncho rather than a basha for it's multi-use, the italian poncho wets through relatively quickly compared to the heavier British issue ones. But it does pack down very small yet is big enough for my partner and I to sleep under with decent space, too.
It is a nice balance between waterproof/bulk.
It is a nice balance between waterproof/bulk.
I carry a tarp and a poncho.
I use a ventile windshirt (from winds-west) which will keep out most of the bad weather I might encounter, but the poncho goes on when it gets really bad.
It mainly gets used for impromptu lunch shelter, or as extra protection for the tarp in really bad weather. (It gets rigged up as a windbreak more often than not)
It's useful, but I wouldn't use it as my primary shelter.
I use a ventile windshirt (from winds-west) which will keep out most of the bad weather I might encounter, but the poncho goes on when it gets really bad.
It mainly gets used for impromptu lunch shelter, or as extra protection for the tarp in really bad weather. (It gets rigged up as a windbreak more often than not)
It's useful, but I wouldn't use it as my primary shelter.
I quite like my poncho. Its useable, VERY robust, multi-purpose and suits me as a primary shelter. I do pack a very light waterproof just in case I have to leave 'cover' to go collect wood.
Its just nice to have that option and try something different now and again. Its not as if a 58 pattern is going to set you back much is it.
Its just nice to have that option and try something different now and again. Its not as if a 58 pattern is going to set you back much is it.
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Anyone got any further recommendations/ suggestions for the best types of issue poncho? I've heard that the Italian army ones are good because they are very lightweight; rubberized German ones good because they're virtually indesctructible and unlikely to let water in. Also heard that the (genuine) US army ones are good since they're light, tough and have a waist drawstring to minimise flapping. I'm looking to get one (got a cheapo Highlander) so woudl appreciate anyone's experiences with issue types...
http://www.endicotts.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1924 - 58 Pattern
http://www.ddhammocks.com/shop.php?id=5 - DD Poncho
Or if you are feeling flush - http://www.hilltrek.co.uk/acatalog/copy_of_copy_of_copy_of_Cabrach_Ventile_Trousers.html
http://www.ddhammocks.com/shop.php?id=5 - DD Poncho
Or if you are feeling flush - http://www.hilltrek.co.uk/acatalog/copy_of_copy_of_copy_of_Cabrach_Ventile_Trousers.html
Cheers for the links Mark - I reckon a ventile one is beyond my budget! I checked the DD one a while ago (being a satisfied hammock customer) but it's pretty heavy at 1kg as is the '58 pattern. However a difference of 500g compared to other 'lightweight' versions isn't really that much I guess; thanks for the tips
I like the look of this - any idea who is stocking it? And what its dimensions are?
I was issued 58" gear webbing sleeping bag poncho etc etc. back in 91!
I don't think I ever came across anyone that poppered the poncho to the sleeping bag.
the thing was we were taught to pair up or "buddy" so it was normal for 2 men to share a poncho, that way if one man cooks the other can keep his rifle trained on the direction of the enemy.
I guess the theory is it works a little like a bivi bag, but very badly, you'd get soaked in sweat. if raining heavily you'd get puddles forming on the poncho edges which could end up going through the hood (if you're unlucky).
much safer to make a simple tent shaped shelter, you only need a couple of 18" sticks 6 pegs and 2 strings/cords.
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I am a fan of the Poncho Tarp. My solution is to have two ponchos, one I use as a ground sheet the other as a tarp (either lean-to or A-frame style depending on situation/terrain), so if it is raining and I have to venture outside of the tarp I can wear the one used as a ground sheet. Simples!
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