Poncho/Shelter?

Discussion in 'Adventure, Hiking, Backpacking and Travel' started by TerryD, Jan 27, 2021.

  1. TerryD

    TerryD Member

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    I've seen the military poncho that you can use as a shelter or tarp and I was wondering which one everyone is using in their pack?

    I want to piece together a small bag for day hikes and multipurpose I feel is the key to keeping it light.
     
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  2. Strigidae

    Strigidae Administrator Staff Member

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    I use a homemade one out of silnylon. There are venders out there that make em i suspect. Its a great light poncho but also doubles as a spartan shelter. My only complaint would be since it is light the wind will blow it all around as a poncho.
     
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  3. R Stowe

    R Stowe Moderator Staff Member

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    On lightweight trips I use a poncho from Bushcraft Outfitters and a piece of Tyvek for the ground cloth. It works well, but unless you pitch it really low it's tough to get full coverage. I'm 5'9" and lay on the diagonal and still barely fit "under" it.

    [​IMG]
     
  4. TerryD

    TerryD Member

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    Nice looking setup! I'm mainly interested in it for impromptu use rather than a dedicated shelter. I have a 10x12 Etowah tarp I would carry if I intended to stay out.

    I'll look into that poncho though!
     
  5. R Stowe

    R Stowe Moderator Staff Member

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    I’ve had their 10x10 for years and it’s served me well. I actually just got a MSS from Ben’s Backwoods. I think it will be a good balance between the lightness of the poncho and the coverage of the 10x10.
     
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  6. Caleb O

    Caleb O Member

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    I have a Bushcraft Outfitters MEST poncho that I take with me all the time into the back country. It’s decently light and has been set up for lots of shelters when camping out of a day pack. I’ll generally carry it with two aluminum stakes and a pre setup ridgeline in the bag with it. 71394BF0-8D00-4165-8C4D-579AA21C5C24.jpeg E6DBF6A2-0C69-42FA-95A4-CF5E942FA9DE.jpeg 92DACD16-A57E-4268-943E-A4F1B5BE68CD.jpeg AF542D1B-253B-41AF-BFA0-A5C03CC64379.jpeg DBEF4B6A-5B7D-479A-B1F2-1AE08AA278C2.jpeg
     
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  7. Strigidae

    Strigidae Administrator Staff Member

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  8. TerryD

    TerryD Member

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    That's pretty much exactly the kind of setup I was looking for. Thanks!
     
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  9. Caleb O

    Caleb O Member

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    Thanks! Definitely makes for a nice quick shelter.
     
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  10. Caleb O

    Caleb O Member

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    No problem! If I lost or ruined it today, I would 100% go out and get another one tomorrow. Definitely a solid piece of gear. It’s just the right size for lean-tos and Plowpoints and gives good coverage when worn .
     
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  11. Pineland_Yeti

    Pineland_Yeti Member

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    Yes, i carry a Poncho on Trips and in my EDC bag. The multi use is perfect and safed my ass from heavy Rain or as a Wind layer. Plus, If i use a smaller pack, its my cover from rain
     
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  12. Roadgunner007

    Roadgunner007 Member

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    i use the wilderness innovations pss hammock shelter i just add two lightweight accesory climbing straps and use a beckett hitch to hang the hammock, it comes with a option for the quick connect or you can just build two continuous loops with dynema cord, it is multi use, also in my amazon cart ,the one wind inner mesh bathtub floor and one wind poncho shelter dual use also. just waiting to get back to work and order that lightweight combo.
    I like the wilderness innovations poncho, because it can also be a chair, hammock, ground sheet. or tarp. it might be the most versatile poncho ever made.
     
    Last edited: Jun 3, 2025
  13. Pineland_Yeti

    Pineland_Yeti Member

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    Sounds good.
    I use the Helikon Tex Ponchos, usgi Modell.
    Good quality and price is fair
     
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  14. Roadgunner007

    Roadgunner007 Member

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  15. Roadgunner007

    Roadgunner007 Member

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  16. Roadgunner007

    Roadgunner007 Member

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