Ventile Poncho

[Wayland]

I think most of us prefer non military looking stuff so olive would be the best choice IMO.

Ventile is a highly breathable, water resistant fabric made of top quality cotton.

Not as waterproof as Gortex etc. but much more comfortable.

 

[Shambling Shaman]

Could be interested if it's big enough to sleep under.

Agreed but cost is the thing.

 

[irishlostboy]

olive sounds a good choice.
i just had some good memories of my dodgy nylon dpm poncho. it was crap quality, but very fun. can you count me as (nearly) in for one, with a confirmation on seeing the prototypes?

 

[littlebiglane]

Littlebiglane

I must admit at first I thought that a ventile poncho would be a waste of time, but I must admit that if it can replace a basha and jacket it would be worth the quoted price.
I think eyelets are a big NONO.

I wouldn't bother with hood, I don't like them, but if you are going to have them how about a wire peak.

I may well purchase one of these myself.

I am willing to go into hilltrek and talk to dave and also test the pocho for you, I can go in this weekeed.

Thanks for this. Do pop in and see how things have started. I am sure we are all keen to see progress.

 

[h2o]

How Can We Use It As A Basha Without Eyelets?

 

[littlebiglane]

How Can We Use It As A Basha Without Eyelets?

Loops or like the setup with Tatonka tarps

 

[born2roam]

Quit a late reply, but finally made some time to read the entire subject and some stuff on Hilltrek's website.

Depending on size I am interested, although the truth is I can NOT afford it now, I do not think it is too expensive though.

If using a poncho now it is a cheap military one, which I find a bit too short using as a tarp.

The other day I got a small hole in my Pinewood Anorak due to the fire. Heck it is an object to be used so not too many tears shed there... would be better without so....

Carrying stuff that I has multiple uses is a BIG plus...but as said before... it rains and I need my poncho to wear (anorak), keep my sleeping place dry (tarp)...mmmm no final verdict from me.

The Braemar Single layer ventile from Hilltrek looks good, same price but single purpose...

Hopefully somebody is testing a prototype now and help me/us with info to make a decision ;-)

Grtz Johan

 

[Shambling Shaman]

Have not read all the posts.

Are we having some ridge line loops on it?

 

[littlebiglane]

Have not read all the posts.

Are we have in some ridge line loops on it?

Its been a while - Christmas and Nyear got in the way. I'll get onto Hilltrek and see if we can get the ball rolling on this again - with added gusto!!!!

Thanks

 

[littlebiglane]

Dave at Hilltrek has completed the prototype and has given it to Lawrence of Bushcraft Ventures to do preliminary testing of it in the Cairngorms this Saturday. I am sure the weather will be both cold, wet and unpleasant. Ideal!

I hope that Lawrence can give it a good testing, maybe take some photos, give some constructive feedback back to Hilltrek and get some info/piccies posted up so we can see any issues or it being used.

Thanks for listening.

 

[Shambling Shaman]

testing of it in the Cairngorms this Saturday.

I live 35 min from the Cairngorms But of to Achininver!!!

 

[littlebiglane]

I live 35 min from the Cairngorms But of to Achininver!!!

Well if you go out today and spot someone running around in the mountains that looks a) like a yeti or b) wearing a tent then can you take some photos of him (Lawrence) so we can post them up to see what the poncho looks like?

 

[ZDP-189]

This could be interesting.

 

[BushVen]

Hello all Poncho fan’s

I’ve tested the poncho over several days in the Cairngorms.
Rather than gassing on about what I did, I shall get straight to the point and just list my findings in no particular order.

1.The head entrance to the hood and the hood itself could be a little larger. At 22cm or 8 5/8”(approx) diameter, for both, this makes a tight fit, especially if wearing a woollen hat, which I find I have to remove to get my head through (59cm or 23” my head circumference). I don’t think my head is that big !

Suggest that the head entrance and the hood diameter is increased to 91/2” or 24cm minimum

2.Unfortunately there are no tapes at the centre rear and front, so the basha can not be erected in the normal square fashion (centre line and 4 guys) but can be erected in a diamond shape (centre line and 2 guys, using all 4 corners).

Suggest that 4 extra tapes are attached, 1 each centre rear and front and 1 each centre left and right. This would increase the use-ability as a basha / shelter.

3.The tapes are 25 mm wide in a black material and have reinforced triangular patches with double stitching where the tapes are directly attached.
I feel the tapes are too wide and should be 10 -15mm wide, this would help to accommodate pegging out the poncho.

4.The size of the poncho is 80” or 203cm long x 57” or 145cm wide. I feel this is just big enough when using the poncho as a basha / shelter.
When wearing the poncho, without a rucsac, the front comes down approx 5” – 6” or 13cm – 15cm below my knee, but is approx 6” – 8” or 15cm – 20cm shorter at the back. When wearing with a rucsac (sabre 60) the poncho does cover the rucsac but could be longer. I am 5’ 8” or 173cm tall with a medium build, if you are taller the back may be to short and if you are short the front may be to long.

I would suggest that the head entrance and the hood is moved forward by 4”- 6” or the length of the back is increased by 4” – 6”. Increasing the overall length would also increase the living area when used as a basha / shelter, but may also increase the price due to more material used.
It may be that the hood has been put on the wrong way around, therefore making the front longer than the back ? I shall check this against the template poncho.

5.There is one press-stud on each side with reinforced patches. These are in order to make an arm on each side and this seems to work well, but the sides do flap around in the wind unless your wear a belt over the top.

I suggest that the two more sets of press-studs are attached on each side, this would help to keep the sides from flapping around.

6.The wire peak works wells and is nicely incorporated into the hood.

I would suggest that the sides of the peak come down the sides more to just above the eyebrow area, this would give better protect from wind and rain, especially for those wearing glasses.


That’s basically all the areas of concern that I have found. I haven’t been able to test the poncho in a real down-pour as we haven’t had much rain here. I tried the poncho in my shower at home and, as expected with ventile, it works well and I feel it would give good protect from heavy rainfall.
I have also tested the hood (tied-up) for leakage when used as a basha, this was also carried-out in my shower. I have found no problems here either, although I would prefer to test it outside in a real down-pour.

The rest of the poncho is standard with single stitched folded edges and a double ventile covering over the shoulder’s where the hood fabric extends. The pack size is slightly larger than the Aussie basha and about the same as the Fox basha and it’s a little heavier than either of these.

I feel that with the adjustments above this will be a very good product and is worth the extra wait to get these minor problems ironed-out. If the poncho is made slightly longer, then it could replace the need for a separate basha and a ventile jacket.

I shall post some photos as soon as I get my camera out of storage (long story).

If you have any questions, or if I’ve missed any details then please contact me. I shall also carry-out more testing, especially if we get some heavy rain.

I have sent a copy of this to Hilltrek and I shall see if I can visit them before next week, in order to discuss my findings. I shall not go ahead with any alterations until I get your opinions and views on my report.

All the best

Lawrence Clark

info@bushcraftventures.co.uk
www.bushcraftventures.co.uk

 

[littlebiglane]

Lawrence,

May I firstly thank you on a great report on the prototype. I cannot but agree with all your sensible comments. They are indeed minor points to iron out - but the devil is in the detail and it separates an average product with a great one. As you have said - your feeling that this is a great product if we can get these issues sorted out.

Well done and thanks. I would recommend that Hilltrek look into these modifications. I would like to think that you could give it the once over once again then when you are totally happy with it get it QA'd by our other two volunteer testers.

Yes...my head is 24'5 inches! No brain, mostly skull. It would be good to get it through the hole in the poncho too!

Look forward to some photos - it makes it all seem more real.

If you are speaking to Dave at Hilltrek can you ask him how long the modifications will take?

Thanks
:You_Rock_

 

[Wayland]

Sounds like you've raised some good design points there.

Out of interest how much did the material stiffen up after being wetted down?

Do you think this might be an issue?

 

[spamel]

My brother has a cotton treated poncho used bu USMC troops during WWII. It has a detachable hood, that is very difficult to come by, but I am sure it has a split in the bottom, where your throat would be, to make it easier to get it on and off. Maybe something similar could be modified into the prototype just to see if it is worth doing. A simple press stud could close the split at the top.

 

[BushVen]

Wayland & all

When wet the poncho is stiff, just like any ventile garment, but is not uncomfortable or awkward.

The idea of having a 'slit' to help get your head in and out is a good one, but can causee another problem . When using the poncho as a basha you need to make this area waterproof and leak proof, this is possible in a number of ways but does increases the risk of leakage.

I shall talk to Hilltrek to see how long the changes will take.

All the best

Lawrence Clark

 

[oetzi]

its great to see, how this project does realize!!
On the subject of testing, I am off for a longer period of Rehab in february, so unfortunately I can not take part in further testing.
Still, I am on the list for purchasing one.

 

[littlebiglane]

its great to see, how this project does realize!!
On the subject of testing, I am off for a longer period of Rehab in february, so unfortunately I can not take part in further testing.
Still, I am on the list for purchasing one.

I hope that your rehab goes well. Good luck.

We will find another tester. But thanks for all your input so far

Once Lawrence :You_Rock_ has worked with Hilltrek to get as many of these modifications sorted - and he is happy with it then we can get the Mark 1 version across to Wayland. I am hoping that it will receive a thumbs up......