I have been doing some hiking in the local forest preserves and state parks.

I got a little nervous a couple of times when it might rain and I could melt. So far, I have not melted. But it made me a bit nervous.

So I decided to get one of my ponchos out of my car kit and put it in my day pack, just in case.

As you might guess, this simple transfer of a piece of gear from my car kit to my day pack did not quite work out as I had planned.

I figured it would be a good idea to try the poncho on, just to make sure it was OK. I take it out and put it on, and hear a faint tearing sound as maybe a 3 foot rip opens up in the PVC. So, it goes into the recycling bin, and out comes the other poncho. Turns out its in a little better shape but a snap is broken, so it went into the recycling bin as well.

I probably have not used them in 15 years, now that I think of it. I guess sitting in a car all those years caused the PVC to deteriorate. I suppose if I had to, I could have used either one with the application of some duct tape.

Just another reminder that now and then it is a good idea to try out your gear and make sure it is still functional.

I am headed out again this weekend. I am going to get a couple cheap ones, just in case. One for the car and one for the day pack. I figure I am unlikely to use them a whole lot, seeing as I didn't use either one of these for 15 years or more. I am dithering on whether to get a more substantial one, like a USGI poncho. They are pretty heavy and relatively expensive and for the limited (or no) use I would get from it, it seems like a waste of money and weight.

I once had a really nice (NorthFace or Sierra Designs or similar) red ripstop nylon poncho. I got it cheap at a garage sale like I do with much of my stuff. Anyway, the back pack it and most of my other valuable gear lived in was apparently desparately attractive to one of the bros here in SoCal that work at the carwashes. Anyway, he got to enjoy it for awhile until probably one of his other bros decided they needed it more than him.

Now, I keep two folded up huge industrial trash bags in my pack in case the bros need replacement ponchos. I always have my baseball cap on as a "rain hat".

If I were you,I'd get the G.I.Poncho,It's one piece of Equipment that can/does serve you for a Lifetime,in Most cases!They are Heavy,but How heavy are you, whilst Soaking wet?SPG has the German Mil Ponchos,2 for 20 bucks,last I looked.2 Can make a Decent shelter,Heck! 1 can,actually! I have No Affiliation with SPG,Gary Olen,or The Booya Brigade

Plastic ponchos, and rain suits for that matter, are all iffy after aging a few years. Kept cool, away from chemicals, not compressed too much, and with a bit of luck they can stil be good to go after years of storage. On the other hand If seen them weld themselves into a useless wad of plastic, partly dissolve when exposed to some solvents, and turn brittle and useless.

USGI versions, and better quality coated nylon versions, are much more reliable in the long term.

Sil nylon vs. USGI? Both are great and cost almost the same. But which one are you going to carry on a hike considering the sil nylon poncho is a fraction of the weight and size? Easy answer.

What does SPG stand for please, trying to locate that poncho

LOL - i found it on Amazon but its the same one I already purchased a long time ago. Nice of Amazon to let you know when you've purchased a product before.

Sportsmans Guide.

Sportsmans Guide Ponchos

I ended up getting an inexpensive one at Farm and Fleet. Better then nothing. Lightweight too. I took it out of the plastic bag it came in and put it in a heavy duty ziplock bag. It's kind of a reddish orange color. The brand is something called TexSport. It seemed a little heavier duty than the Coleman emergency ponchos that were a dollar or so less. I tried in on. Like most lightweight ponchos, wind is going to be an issue, and so is dealing with water running off the poncho unto my pants. But, it is a partial solution.

I got a coleman brand space blanket too.

Neither are especially heavy duty but it's a whole lot better than nothing, especially as fall approaches and rain becomes a very serious hypothermia issue. I am not going to deliberately hike in the rain, but you never know.

It is not going to be useful over the pack so I need something to cover the pack. Not sure what is good for that.

Anyone know if the breathable fabric ponchos actually work? I thought the bodies heat was what pushed the sweat vapour through the fabric. Does this take effect with something as loose as a poncho?
QJS

Personally I wouldn't go for any Poncho that wasn't made from a breathable fabric. But they are very hard to find. I would avoid any non moisture permeable vapour MVP material for any personal clothing and that even includes gaiters. To keep warm you need to keep dry. Non MVP material Poncho might be OK for a short rain shower i.e less than 10-15 minutes whilst doing nothing else except stand or sit around.

There are some Survival Optimists around who think they can spend a night out in freezing sub zero temperatures with a cheap PVC poncho and one of those $1 Mylar survival blanket. They are usually found the next morning as frozen stiffs.

You could use a pack cover. Just size it right.This is the Integral Designs poncho I use. Got it cause it snaps under and covers your pack. A little pricey but I've had mine for a few years and so far so good.

Breathable is another word for 'controlled leakage'. Use the wrong detergent, expose it to enough salt/dirt/crud, and it will leak. Breathable membranes are more delicate than textiles that don't try to split the difference. There is a reason rough use tarps and ground cloths don't use breathable fabrics.

Breathable fabrics are an acceptable trade-off for a rain suit, or bivy where ventilation is difficult and failure means your own sweat defeats your insulation. Add that to the simple fact that you are going to pay a premium, and have to take more time and care in maintenance, and ponchos made of breathable materials just don't make sense. Stick to a poncho that doesn't have leakage built in and use it hard with confidence that it can take it. When it wears out buy, or make, another.

I think I paid $3 for the poncho. Paying $100 for a pack cover seems a bit excessive. If it comes down to it. I may just throw the poncho over me and the pack, and accept that the back of the poncho will ride a bit higher. Or maybe I will make a pack cover out of something.

The few times I have walked in the rain in a poncho I found that while they didn't breath, I could flap my arms around every now and then to bring in fresh air and that was adequate.

i got one for fast cover up in a canoe.getting into a rain suit is too tricky and rain can come in fast and out of your view down at water level surrounded by trees.so anyway i got the "next best" at Campmor..the silnylon was way to spendy so i got the coated nylon with the ripstop weave in long.i'm not that tall but i know from using a poncho in the Army that you will get wet from the knees down with a regular length.the long also would make of a larger make shift tarp.now my needs were limited as this was for use in the canoe or around a camp before i got the rain suit out and on.i would not want to walk any portages in it because it would get snagged on the brush.also in the canoe the front flap could be set out over a pack with me still in it.to me the poncho is a second rate bit of gear,you don't stay that warm or dry and it flaps around and the wind gets in and so on but it can be carried around and used in lots of make shift ways..when i was in the Army we got a poncho and were told how to fold it and carry it over our belts in the rear before we even got our fatigues,no BDU's in those days.
damm..another midnite run on post-------sorry..

I think a poncho is invaluable, but not just for personal protection from rain. I have a coated nylon dark blue poncho ($15) that I keep rolled up in a 2x7" roll in my pack. It will cover my pack if needed, it will serve as a ground cloth, shelter, shade and of course keeping me fairly dry. I am not worried about gortex or breath-ability as it is pretty open and breaths on it's own somewhat.

I also keep a few of the $.88 walmart ponchos in my pack as well. They have served as rain ponchos for my family, as ground cloths under the nylon poncho when used as a rain fly. They are one time use, but very convenient and take up so little space.

I have not splurged yet on a fancy sil-nylon one, but would love to have one at some point. The one I have works for what it is needed for and that is emergency shelter, whether that is rain or sun.