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..