Military poncho, "gum blanket"!?

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...

1) a parka is not a poncho.
2) this is what rain chaps were invented for.
3) wear waterproof insulation ( Polartech, etc.underneath).

"...a parka is not a poncho..."

I meant poncho. Senior moment, for which I apologize...

I have experienced that the mil spec ponchos will leak when pressure is applied to them (i.e. at contact points such as the elbows). I carried a GI poncho, poncho liner and a GI casualty blanket while on missions requiring less personal gear than mission essential gear. I used the casualty blanket as a drop cloth, the liner as a blanket and the poncho as a shelter. The only failing part was the poncho. I have since added another casualty blanket as the shelter as well as a cheap painter's tarp. As I always learned "Pack Light Freeze at Night"

Who is Michael Blomgren?

http://www.michelblomgren.com/ (Which, of course, has a link to http://bushcraft.se/.)

This is a waste of Goretex as the principle of Goretex is to build up a water pressure with in the garment, such that the water molecules will escape through the pores in the Goretex membrane. With a poncho I would doubt that this would occure.
cheers

Hi Atoz,

The poncho is used for more than just standing around in keeping the rain off. The poncho is also used as ground sheet, a rain shelter, a sleeping bag cover, a rain water collector etc. Its a very versitile piece of kit. The British Army also issues MVP (Goretex) jackets, overtrousers (prefer the German army ones myself), hats, gloves, socks, gaiters, Bivi bags etc.

I would much prefer to use Goretex rather than any of the other synthetic impermeable alternatives despite the limitations of Goretex.

There are even full Goretex tents available for high altitude cold weather mountaineering.

I couldn't agree more. Add a liner and it's even better. Add a second poncho, small tarp or "sportsman's blanket" and you have the makings of a shelter system that can see you through a wide range of conditions.

58 pattern poncho is not waterproof.

Trust me on this one.

Thats why the MVP poncho is a better bet as it is waterproof. That is except of course for the big hole in the middle.

If you're just using it as shelter and not wearing it, why not just get a vinyl shower curtain? Completely water proof, cheap and you can get them in 6' by 7'. No hole in the middle and they're tough, hard to stretch let alone break. The only down side is they only have grommets on one side, but thats easy to fix.

So far I'm leaning towards this model:

http://www.armynavysales.com/Merchant2/m...tegory_Code=RWR

I think I'm obliged to buy two units as they have snap-up sides (in addition to the grommet holes in corners) to snap the two and build a tent.

BTW does anybody have experience with this online surplus store (www.armynavysales.com) because I'm considering buying these items:

http://www.armynavysales.com/Merchant2/m...tegory_Code=RWR
http://www.armynavysales.com/Merchant2/m...tegory_Code=PNT
http://www.armynavysales.com/Merchant2/m...egory_Code=BBAG

Frankie

Big Hole In Middle--
i had the local sewing shop cut a hole in my liner.
they did a great job making it like a tee shirt neck.
i use this on cold mornings on canoe trips when i want
to toss on something warm without getting fully dressed.
when i use it as a light blanket i fold it over and tie
the ends and sides to cover the neck hole..it worked
fine on my last trip but i may have a hood from the same
sort of materal added on..i have not used this under
my army poncho in wet weather yet but when i do i'll
let you know if that worked



i just tossed this on for the photo and noticed it's
sideways..the long bit should hang down the front and
not the side...

I cannot stress this enough, buy those pants! I had a pair for winter camping that were fantastic! Nice and warm and wore like iron. I outgrew them before I wore them out. Great pants.

But I have no experience with the company. Sorry.