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Hey sc/out/s!
I'd love to learn about new gear and tools that would change and/or improve the way I do things. But the board is kinda stagnating gear-wise... gearfagging is bad, but there really are things worth learning about.
So I suggest you to post in this thread interesting, little-known, exotic gear that you haven't seen mentioned on /out/.
I'll start with the "plashch palatka", meaning "coat tent" in Russian, pic related.
Well, it's a coat and a tent, similar to a "poncho tarp", though a precursor; it is Soviet in origin, and used to be part of the base army gear during WW2.
It is a triangular piece of cloth, about 1.70m long and 2.80m wide (some are larger, some are smaller), about 5 rings at the bottom for stakes, buttons on the sides to close it, and a lace at the top to adjust the hood, and it's made of thick and tight cotton fabric.
I've used it in several storms and not a single drop of water got in, and it's large enough to cover your backpack. In case that's not enough, you can always coat it to improve waterproofness.
The arm openings are very well thought, simple and durable compared with sleeves, yet superior to a basic one piece poncho, and there are buttons to close them when used as a tent. It can be used to create a small shelter, have a pal carry one, and you have a fully closed tent, or use it as a fire deflector, a blanket, a ground cloth, or a bivy bag. Add some cord, and it becomes a bag, or a hammock.
Its durability is Soviet grade, mine's been /out/ for about 3 years, and I've also used it countless times as a ground cloth, and as protection from thorns, and it's like brand new. Though be wary, it's heavy, between 1.2 and 1.4 kg.
Oh, and you can get one for 10€ in Europe, that's cheaper than most basic ponchos. So many were produced, most available are fucking brand new. Polish ones are the best, others range between decent and bad.
Your turn sc/out/s!
