>>488170I take it someone is very proud of their poncho.....
I used to have this thick rubber one that was just a square cloth with a hood/sleeves. It worked well but was really only worth it in a huge downpoor. Thing made you sweat like a sonofabitch but the thin ones get eaten alive by trees/branches/burrs/sticks/etc etc which makes them literally worthless in moments.
>protect from wetness Until you start sweating
>Cold and wind Wind yes, cold no. Not even.
>Camo Don't care because not tacticoolinnawoodsoperator
>Shelter/tarp Also no..... they've got a big hole right in the middle of them. The only way you can rationalize this is by sitting your ass down wearing a poncho and hunkering in which is hardly a "shelter".
So what did I do after I realized ponchos aren't worth the weight (as the superlight trashbag ones are worthless except as a backup)?
I got a super thin plastic rain jacket.
It got destroyed and despite being made by a brand of high repute, it's super-thin nature made it of flimsy construction (zipper/hood draw issues).
So you know what I did then? I bit the bullet, saved some cash and invested in a big boy rain jacket with a hood, like I should have done in the first place. Now I stay dry, the wind doesn't hit me, the branches/twigs/burrs/etc don't bother/scare me, I have a light packable garment that I can hunker down with (like the ponchos strongest aspect) in a big downpour and not worry about. Also doubles to make a fleece and flannel windproof which makes it good for SO much more.
Just saying, ponchos are cool if you're broke and need to stay dry. Cost wise, there is nothing better, but the amount you'll spend on disposable shit and time spent replacing it? Fuck that.
