I am needing to update some gear. I am looking for a new poncho/shelter setup and I was wondering if any of you have had any experience with the Exped Bivy Ponchos?

http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage.nsf/0/2079F5C83321CBA8C1256F2B0037A182?opendocument

I would be using it mostly as a quick rain shelter while hunting and hiking.

Is there a better option that I may have overlooked?

Thanks in advance.

Other than the draw cord at the waist and the pocket for stuffing it all into, it doesn't look that different from a military poncho. It may be a bit bigger. There are other ponchos out there as well: Equinox Ultralight Poncho

Sea to Summit Ultra-sil Poncho

I have both of these and they are light and pack small, but they aren't cheap.

I'm lucky I still have a heavy military rubber poncho. Which I have used as a lean-to recently. I don't carry in my BOB as the heat here in the SW would rot it out pretty quick over a summer in my trunk.

I am not a big fan of ponchos. waterproof gear and tents are light enough now that I don't find them necessary. I've tried some of the Frog Tog waterproof tops and bottoms and they work great, except they can tear rather easy on the butt and knees, but the stuff is made for duct tape. I went with a size up on the top and I wore my REI Mars pack under the jacket in a rainstorm and it did great. The are very oversized tops

That's the poncho I use. I bought it mostly due to its length (I'm quite tall).

I looked for one on-line for my son - who is even taller, but I couldn't find out. I assumed they were no longer available.

To be honest, though its been used a lot - as a poncho - and it is very well made and has taken the use/abuse well. As with any poncho, on hot days, with exertion, it can be hot, but not so bad as a rain coat would be.

I've never tried out the bivy capability. I can't imagine wrapping myself in non-breathable nylon for very long. I'd come out soaked.

If you're looking for more of a bivy I might suggest something breathable.

I got a very nice light Poncho that I now carry from Integral Design in Calgary. It is very water proof and very light.

I had an Exped poncho for years, until it was recently stolen. They make a great product that you won't go wrong with. They are not cheap, but are quite durable.

Ponchos are ponchos a very basic and versatile item. Looks pretty good.

I mostly stay inside when it is raining, but a few times I have gone out when I did not expect rain and it rained anyway.

I keep a cheap emergency poncho in my fanny pack for such cases. I have only had to use them a few times. I kind of consider them a one time use item, as my experience has been that they are not real sturdy and often fail when used. The last one I got survived being used and went back in the fanny pack. It seems a little better made then the average <$5 poncho.

The problem I would have with something like this is that it takes up more room than I would want to give up. Plus at $100 it eats up my hiking equipment budget pretty quick.

But if I was going farther afield I would likely do so with a bigger pack so I would have more room.

I just want to know, 'is that a real poncho or a Sears poncho'?

I use the Equinox Ultralite Poncho / Shelter as well, in both rain wear and shelter mode. It fits well over a backpack. Mine is sil-nylon and comes in at 10 ounces with the bag. It looks like they've made it even lighter now.