This is a follow up on my post about rucksacks. I'm following the path of Michel Blomgren and would like to get the rucksack's best friend, the military poncho. He says it's the only shelter he brings even during normal outdoor activities. I think he uses a poncho that has a rubberized coating for maximum waterproofness and it has grommets. I think some call it a gum blanket. I'm aware that condensation may easily form but I want it for it's maximum waterproofness in rare heavy downpours and to use as the main expedient shelter as he does.

Do you know a reliable source where I can get them?

Thank you.

Did a quick search for "military poncho" on ebay and that turned up quite a few results. Didn't save any links but searching with the above terms outta bring up the same results I got.

Hi Frankie

How about a MVP (Goretex) Poncho available at

http://www.militarykit.com/products/jackets/british_army_dpm_mvp_poncho.htm

even better than the one Michel Blomgren is using.

US 'Gum blankets' were last used in Vietnam. The things are considerably heavier and so yes, condensation is a concern. They also stay draped and don't flap around like the modern coated nylon affairs.

Hi Chris,

Were the 'Gum blankets' similar to the British Army Pattern 58 Poncho



These ponchos were cheap, heavy, durable, rubberised, horrible clammy affairs. The 'Gum blankets' were used in the hot humid wet conditions in Vietnam. If these are in anyway similar to the 58 pattern poncho the users would have probably ended up wetter underneath the poncho. The newer MVP poncho is actually not very lightweight. Weighs about 900 grams. The material is similar to the heavier weight highly durable Taslan type Goretex.

Try these guys, I buy from them all the time.

http://cgi.ebay.com/US-Military-Wet-Weat...1QQcmdZViewItem


http://cgi.ebay.com/US-Military-Wet-Weat...1QQcmdZViewItem


And you can't beat their prices.


Shadow out !!!

They only say durable ripstop material. What is the best, PVC, vinyl (are they the same?) polyurethane coated nylon or rubber coated nylon?

And how about LLBean, is it too expensive for a poncho?

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/...rch&feat=sr

Gosh, I didn't think they called it a gum blanket since the Civil War!

One source is Sportman's Guide:
Sportman's Guide Military Poncho
4-Pack of Military Style ponchos from Sportsman's Guide

The 4-pack ponchos don't have the same dimensions as the mil-spec version so it would seem to be military-like.

I like the military ponchos myself, for their versatility.

Disclaimer: I don't work for Sportsman's Guide but I do shop with them. They can have good deals on some mil-surp.

Cheers,

Tom A.

I would get one of these:

Polyurethane-coated nylon
more durable, heavier (14 oz), cheaper ($22)
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39295901

Silicone-coated nylon
less durable, lighter (8.5 oz), more expensive ($45)
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=9996340

If hiking, the weight you're saving by not having a tent or separate tarp more than makes up for the extra 5 oz of the poly-coated nylon.

(I'm not affiliated with the manufacturers or campmor.com.)

Keep in mind that with a totally waterproof parka, in most (all) climates you will sweat yourself wet under one, and your lower extremities will get soaked anyway...