Latest version of my perfect poncho/tarp shelter

[mcseal2]

I’d go 112” x 66” if I was making one. Add 2 loops like the sheep tarp or I added to elevate the tarp on the ends in the cave configuration.

I have an old Pathfinder poncho thats a 7.5” square that works well too, makes a plow point that’s just big enough to work well. Its a heavier material, but could be made out of something lighter.

 

[mcseal2]

Pathfinder poncho

 

[Ferrulewax]

The riptop by the roll silpoly XL or dutchware Xenon XL would be the perfect materials for a 66” poncho tarp. 108-116 is the ideal length, IMO. The hole should be off center with about 4 feet or so in the front and the rest in the back. Velcro or snaps placed along the back to take up extra material are essential to make it usable both as a pack cover and without a pack on. Add a piece of bungee cord as a “belt” and you have a pretty great system if someone would just make one.

5 tie downs on the long sides, three on the short sides, and three down the middle.

 

[Read1t48]

Revising this thread…
@mcseal2 - wasn’t sure on your timeline of building one or if you had started yet and what you found? I tried to get onto the wilderness innovation site, but it looks like their website is hacked and the response time for emails and orders don’t seem very good. I really like the versatility of the WI poncho/tarp.
Looking to use a poncho/tarp and Borah Bivy combo for this upcoming season for versatility.

 

[mcseal2]

I am not building one, just gave some advice on size if I was. My modified wilderness designs one fits my needs.

 

[TOLeary]

Late to the party… but Mountain Laurel Designs looks like they have a solid option but pricier than others.

For the guys using the tarp/poncho are you not bringing any type of rain jacket or pant at all? Has that ever bit you in the ass? I’m curious how this works on a pack with a weapon, maybe hitting trees, just the overall use for it as rain gear. I like the idea of this a lot just not sure of the practicality of it for me

 

[CORam]

Late to the party… but Mountain Laurel Designs looks like they have a solid option but pricier than others.

For the guys using the tarp/poncho are you not bringing any type of rain jacket or pant at all? Has that ever bit you in the ass? I’m curious how this works on a pack with a weapon, maybe hitting trees, just the overall use for it as rain gear. I like the idea of this a lot just not sure of the practicality of it for me

I am curious about the same thing. I would love to have a setup like this but am hesitant to rely on it as my rain gear. Getting caught in a rainstorm without really good rain gear is no fun. I almost always carry rain pants and a rain jacket. Should I ditch them and go with a poncho/shelter?

I am also not sure that I am man enough to sleep under one of these things, but it is tempting to try it out.

 

[TOLeary]

Even if you don’t sleep under it itd still save weight using it as your rain gear and gain a tarp. I definitely think it’s waterproof, just not sure of how practical it’d be in use

 

[nnmarcher]

Late to the party… but Mountain Laurel Designs looks like they have a solid option but pricier than others.

For the guys using the tarp/poncho are you not bringing any type of rain jacket or pant at all? Has that ever bit you in the ass? I’m curious how this works on a pack with a weapon, maybe hitting trees, just the overall use for it as rain gear. I like the idea of this a lot just not sure of the practicality of it for me

I'm also curious about trying one of these set-ups. I hunt the southwest and it seems like a good idea for September elk season. We don't really get enough rain (intensity/frequency/duration) to warrant pants and it feels a touch too risky to leave camp without a jacket! I already sleep under a tarp too and often find myself setting it up if the storm looks like it will be longer than 30 minutes.

I imagine the fabric would be pretty susceptible to ripping if you wore it off trail and were busting brush.

 

[mcseal2]

I think your concerns are valid.

I don’t hike through brush with a light poncho. I pretty much use it to hole up under/in or hike to better cover in. I’d go with a heavier material wilderness innovations or a military poncho for busting brush if I wasn’t going to have real rain gear.

For me, If I expect to hunt in rain, I’ll definitely take a rain jacket and pants. Where the poncho fits for me is 2 scenarios.

1. Not expecting a long rain or to need a shelter, but I want something to ride out a quick storm or stay dry for an unplanned overnight. This works at a minimal weight.

2. I’m going somewhere really wet and want to be able to protect my breathable rain gear from wetting out. Still makes a shelter or windbreak too if I need that. Sometimes I prefer a seek dst or hyperlite tarp for this, just depends on where, when, and how many of us are hunting together.

A poncho or sheep tarp has been handy in AK as a “wall” on the cook tarp when the wind changes, as a windbreak, and to sit on, lots of uses.

I will take my old SEAK jacket and Yukon pants if I’m expecting major rain. I’ll take my Chugach jacket and Kutana pants if I want light rain gear. The poncho isn’t the answer to everything, just another tool in the toolbox.

Hope that helps.

 

[TOLeary]

I think your concerns are valid.

I don’t hike through brush with a light poncho. I pretty much use it to hole up under/in or hike to better cover in. I’d go with a heavier material wilderness innovations or a military poncho for busting brush if I wasn’t going to have real rain gear.

For me, If I expect to hunt in rain, I’ll definitely take a rain jacket and pants. Where the poncho fits for me is 2 scenarios.

1. Not expecting a long rain or to need a shelter, but I want something to ride out a quick storm or stay dry for an unplanned overnight. This works at a minimal weight.

2. I’m going somewhere really wet and want to be able to protect my breathable rain gear from wetting out. Still makes a shelter or windbreak too if I need that. Sometimes I prefer a seek dst or hyperlite tarp for this, just depends on where, when, and how many of us are hunting together.

A poncho or sheep tarp has been handy in AK as a “wall” on the cook tarp when the wind changes, as a windbreak, and to sit on, lots of uses.

I will take my old SEAK jacket and Yukon pants if I’m expecting major rain. I’ll take my Chugach jacket and Kutana pants if I want light rain gear. The poncho isn’t the answer to everything, just another tool in the toolbox.

Hope that helps.

Definitely helps, thanks for the response

 

[Beendare]

I'm with Mcseal, walking around on a hunt with a poncho is a PITA. Noisy, gets snagged on everything, blows around and all of the rainwater runs off onto your lower pant legs.

Ponchos are perfect to hole up in. Most rain storms in the Rockies are 1-3 hours long then they subside. It's much different in other places like British Columbia or Alaska where you can get prolonged rain.

I will have a poncho with me along with my Kuiu UL rain gear on a solo backpack bowhunt for elk this year.

EDIT; I got lazy and bought a $20 nylon poncho on Amazon....no use spending a bunch of time on one for that price

 

[Rocko99]

With some really decent shelters in the 11-12oz range-Plex Solo Lite. I would rather have a full shelter and separate rain gear.

 

[mcseal2]

With some really decent shelters in the 11-12oz range-Plex Solo Lite. I would rather have a full shelter and separate rain gear.

Many times I’d agree. Sometimes I prefer to save the weight and especially bulk of carrying both when I don’t expect to use either but want something along.

 

[mcseal2]

I'm with Mcseal, walking around on a hunt with a poncho is a PITA. Noisy, gets snagged on everything, blows around and all of the rainwater runs off onto your lower pant legs.

Ponchos are perfect to hole up in. Most rain storms in the Rockies are 1-3 hours long then they subside. It's much different in other places like British Columbia or Alaska where you can get prolonged rain.

I will have a poncho with me along with my Kuiu UL rain gear on a solo backpack bowhunt for elk this year.

EDIT; I got lazy and bought a $20 nylon poncho on Amazon....no use spending a bunch of time on one for that price

While I pretty much agree with you on walking in a poncho, an XL poncho and gaiters help a lot on the leg part.

 

[mcseal2]

A cheaper option I have been using this summer some fishing is the Onewind xl poncho they sell on Amazon. 106”x67” and $38. It has a loop on one end that can elevate that end for head room in the cave configuration like I pictured. The foot end doesn’t have that loop and would probably drop against you in a strong wind or with a snow load.

It doesn’t feel as durable or well made as the Wilderness Innovations or a sheep tarp, but its light and not as expensive. Its big enough to cover me almost to the ground sitting in my directors chair catfishing and keep me dry. Keeps me from getting my expensive one full of river sand, and its kept me dry so far.

 

[mcseal2]

Headed home from a CO bear hunt. I used my poncho and a couple buddy’s used the Onewind XL ponchos to wait out a 3 hour rain while glassing a berry covered hill from different places. All worked well and we stayed dry. Glad we had them along.