How effective is a poncho?

[Trunks]

I've been pondering this ever since I came back from Scotland, but wondered what your thoughts were.

I'm a big(ish) lad, but do sweat easily when walking. So, as the rain starts, and I put my waterproof jacket on, I start sweating! I know there are a few light weight breathable shell jackets - bug do they really, really work?

I'm thinking, at least with a poncho, I can get some air circulating and possibly add pit zips!

I could also use the poncho as a pack cover, keeping my gear dry

The big question really is, does anyone use a pinch regularly? What is it like with the UK weather? Will it catch the wind, and blow me off over the hill?

Thanks

James



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[sandbender]

I've been pondering this ever since I came back from Scotland, but wondered what your thoughts were.

I'm a big(ish) lad, but do sweat easily when walking. So, as the rain starts, and I put my waterproof jacket on, I start sweating! I know there are a few light weight breathable shell jackets - bug do they really, really work?

I'm thinking, at least with a poncho, I can get some air circulating and possibly add pit zips!

I could also use the poncho as a pack cover, keeping my gear dry

The big question really is, does anyone use a pinch regularly? What is it like with the UK weather? Will it catch the wind, and blow me off over the hill?

Thanks

James



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I wouldn't wear one if I was walking the Cuillin Ridge or similar.

I wouldn't use it as a pack cover, but rather wear one under my pack, which stops it flapping about so much.

I wear ponchos and prefer them to a set of waterproofs, they do provide better ventilation and I find they work well with UK weather and in other countries too.

I will wear waterproofs in a Scottish February though.

I also use Buffalo clothing which is another option you might consider, it doesn't keep you dry, just warm (as long as you are moving).

I usually wear shorts so I do not have to worry about my trousers getting wet, however if I am wearing boots rather than sandals I will fashion a makeshift pair of gaiters to stop the rain getting into my boots.

 

[blacktimberwolf]

The big question really is, does anyone use a pinch regularly?

Snuff or cocaine ?


In my opinion ponchos are only good for showers & thunderstorms. I find they get too hot & damp underneath in any prolonged rain. Yes they will cover your pack & yes they do flap about & stick to you in strong winds. Not very practical if you want to do something such as make a meal for example but fine for hiking or standing about in. Useful bit of kit (easy to deploy, can be lightweight & pack small, emergency shelter etc.) but they do have their limitations.

 

[galopede]

I use a cheap US army one when I'm out with my morris team in inclement weather. I can play the squeezebox under it! Looks a bit suspect but I don't care as the melodeon is worth almost 3K!

Gareth

 

[woof]

There's always the ventile one...

Rob

 

[Teepee]

I think they are good for sitting round camp, fair weather lowland walking and they can come in handy as an extra tarp.

However;
I've taken a poncho as my only waterproof on a couple of backpacking trips in the gorms and they proved to be an annoyance.
Too flappy, and noisy in wind. Faffing around, tying them round my waist got to be a pain, and reduced the ventilation.

The biggest down side though is that they stop you seeing where your feet are on technical ground. Any breeze just blows the poncho bottom out and you walk blind. This is really disconcerting at the end of a hard day , walking down a steep downhill with a tailwind.

 

[Trunks]

I use a cheap US army one when I'm out with my morris team in inclement weather. I can play the squeezebox under it! Looks a bit suspect but I don't care as the melodeon is worth almost 3K!

Gareth

Which side are you in Gareth? I dance with the Fagcrackers


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[Trunks]

I think they are good for sitting round camp, fair weather lowland walking and they can come in handy as an extra tarp.

However;
I've taken a poncho as my only waterproof on a couple of backpacking trips in the gorms and they proved to be an annoyance.
Too flappy, and noisy in wind. Faffing around, tying them round my waist got to be a pain, and reduced the ventilation.

The biggest down side though is that they stop you seeing where your feet are on technical ground. Any breeze just blows the poncho bottom out and you walk blind. This is really disconcerting at the end of a hard day , walking down a steep downhill with a tailwind.

Cheers Pete & everyone else for your replies, they have helped

So, a poncho (not pinch!), is ok for low wind flattish walks on a foolish day, but becomes a hassle if the wind picks up, it's slinging it down & you're doing heavy walking?

On the basis of the above, i think I'll look at jackets.

Anyone recommend a lightweight, waterproof, breathable small packing & hard-waring jacket?


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[fishfish]

i havent used one in years ,i think i mak dig mine out the box.




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[sandbender]

"...I dance with the Fagcrackers ..."

I had to look that one up...

[video=youtube;leOx6pfJD_c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leOx6pfJD_c[/video]

Brilliant!

 

[Teepee]

Paramo Quito
Paramo Velez adventure light (this one doesn't fit me very well, Paramo needs trying on)

Satisfies all the above.

I'm on my second after losing the first. This Paramo jacket actually fits me quite well with my gorilla gait and the ventilation is outstanding.

Cioch; These guys make jackets from Nikwax Analogy too

 

[Aristotle]

Paramo Quito
Paramo Velez adventure light (this one doesn't fit me very well, Paramo needs trying on)

Satisfies all the above.

I'm on my second after losing the first. This Paramo jacket actually fits me quite well with my gorilla gait and the ventilation is outstanding.

I really like my Velez Adventure Light. It works for a wide range of conditions, temperatures and activities.

If I was going to be sitting still outside for long periods I'd probably take a poncho though

 

[Bowlander]

I run hot and get on well with a Paramo Halcon, great in wet weather. My special 6 buffalo is favourite from October to April. Tend to wear a long sleeved tech tee under the buff and add a thin fleece with the Halcon.

 

[ex-member BareThrills]

I have struggled to find a lightweight waterproof that didnt make me sweat. That was until i went to a meet and saw Tinkeypetes arktis smock. It went on my wishlist but they are hard to come by for a good price. I got one eventually off the classifieds for £40.



best money i ever spent and now when im out walking i can be dry and comfortable.

I also own two of the Polish army ponchos which i use by the fire to keep the chill out. Again this was an idea stolen from one of our members udamiano but it works well as the heavy canvas keeps the wind out.

 

[Highbinder]

yone recommend a lightweight, waterproof, breathable small packing & hard-waring jacket?

Want it to be cheap, too?

 

[galopede]

Which side are you in Gareth? I dance with the Fagcrackers


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Fagcrackers. I like that! Did you mean that spelling?

I'm the musician for Lassington Oak morrismen, based just over the Severn from Gloucester at Highnam. We have run into each other several times ( as a team) at various festivals. Upton on Severn I'm sure you've been to. If you have, we are the ones that organise the ceilidh under the bridge every year, except this year when it was under six inches of mud and dancers galloping down would have slid into the Severn!

Gareth

 

[Trunks]

Fagcrackers. I like that! Did you mean that spelling?

Oops! Not intentional, just my phones spellcheck - it should of course been flagcrackers

I've been to Upton festival many times & your ceilidh, didn't go last year, but maybe next year.

If I do, I'll buy you a pint, I'll be the one wearing bells and peacock feathers



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[Noddy]

I use a cheap US army one when I'm out with my morris team in inclement weather. I can play the squeezebox under it! Looks a bit suspect but I don't care as the melodeon is worth almost 3K!

Gareth

I don't know if this is actually true - as my source is something of a comedian - but the tale related to a mutual friend so maybe

Anyway - said acquaintance went to get his hair cut. Nattering away to the female stylist, absent-mindedly he takes his glasses from his pocket and starts to clean them - of course under the gown. She, misconstruing, promptly twatted him one with the hairdryer and kicked him out of the shop amidst a volley of the bluest language a south east London hairdresser can conjure. Which is pretty blue.

 

[galopede]

If I do, I'll buy you a pint, I'll be the one wearing bells and peacock feathers

Well that'll narrow you down to half of the people at the Upton festival! I shall keep an eye out for the Flagcrackers next year.

http://www.lassingtonoak.co.uk/ I'm the one with the squeezebox.

Gareth

 

[galopede]

I don't know if this is actually true - as my source is something of a comedian - but the tale related to a mutual friend so maybe

Anyway - said acquaintance went to get his hair cut. Nattering away to the female stylist, absent-mindedly he takes his glasses from his pocket and starts to clean them - of course under the gown. She, misconstruing, promptly twatted him one with the hairdryer and kicked him out of the shop amidst a volley of the bluest language a south east London hairdresser can conjure. Which is pretty blue.

I'd believe it!