I went for a really muddy stomp around the South Downs (fulkington area) in filthy weather a couple of weekends ago, just the dog and I. I took my usual kit
Buffalo top, nothing underneath, Lightweight trousers and goretex
trousers on top, and a poncho in my bag also Map, compass, drink and energy snacks, pocket knife and a torch all in a 37 pattern small pack
Ridiculous sideways rain at one point so the dog and I sat in the lee of a bush in my poncho then when it eased up off we went again. Trouble was I had no where to put the soaking wet poncho!
When I got home I had a big of a head scratch, I liked the idea of a poncho roll but the classic 58 pattern poncho roll is way to fussy imo.
So inspired by a SADF poncho roll I knocked this up from a 37 pattern large pack I had lying around that had got torn years ago and a couple of webbing straps.
Here is the SADF poncho roll, nice and simple!
So I recreated it from the bits of webbing, fittings and straps I had.
The webbing was pretty old and manky so I used some blanco (what!) to make it more even in colour (dark khaki blanco if that is relevant)
How to hang it below the 37 pattern small pack though, it didn’t quite sit right by using the existing buckles on the bottom of the pack, so I cut them off and riveted on (as I couldn’t get my sewing machine down there) 2 leather steps and 2 brass D rings salvaged from a Sam Browne belt with red rot.
It all went together nicely, and this is how it connects.
I made the straps long, and the roll of fabric long as well so that I could carry a coat in it, or a poncho and my buffalo, or a tarp so it’s adjustable size wise. Not to adjustable though or it would be annoying. It’s also large enough to use as a sit mat, or to stand on when taking boots off etc, or as a tinder mat. I may or may not wax it!
With hindsight I should have made the straps in leather as then it would match my blanket carrier!
I am now tempted to colour the pack, which is in the raw webbing colour.
Anyway, that’s how I am going to carry my poncho from now on.
Ed
Buffalo top, nothing underneath, Lightweight trousers and goretex
trousers on top, and a poncho in my bag also Map, compass, drink and energy snacks, pocket knife and a torch all in a 37 pattern small pack
Ridiculous sideways rain at one point so the dog and I sat in the lee of a bush in my poncho then when it eased up off we went again. Trouble was I had no where to put the soaking wet poncho!
When I got home I had a big of a head scratch, I liked the idea of a poncho roll but the classic 58 pattern poncho roll is way to fussy imo.
So inspired by a SADF poncho roll I knocked this up from a 37 pattern large pack I had lying around that had got torn years ago and a couple of webbing straps.
Here is the SADF poncho roll, nice and simple!
So I recreated it from the bits of webbing, fittings and straps I had.
The webbing was pretty old and manky so I used some blanco (what!) to make it more even in colour (dark khaki blanco if that is relevant)
How to hang it below the 37 pattern small pack though, it didn’t quite sit right by using the existing buckles on the bottom of the pack, so I cut them off and riveted on (as I couldn’t get my sewing machine down there) 2 leather steps and 2 brass D rings salvaged from a Sam Browne belt with red rot.
It all went together nicely, and this is how it connects.
I made the straps long, and the roll of fabric long as well so that I could carry a coat in it, or a poncho and my buffalo, or a tarp so it’s adjustable size wise. Not to adjustable though or it would be annoying. It’s also large enough to use as a sit mat, or to stand on when taking boots off etc, or as a tinder mat. I may or may not wax it!
With hindsight I should have made the straps in leather as then it would match my blanket carrier!
I am now tempted to colour the pack, which is in the raw webbing colour.
Anyway, that’s how I am going to carry my poncho from now on.
Ed
