Poncho tarp recommendations

[CaliWoodsman]

Stumbled onto an old thread on here that mentioned the Mytrailco Poncho Tarp. I looked it up and it fits the bill for what I'm looking for - lightweight and versatile emergency rain gear, shelter, tarp, etc. And of course the company is out of business so it's no longer available.

So, any recommendations on a similar poncho tarp? Looking for something well made and earth tone colors. Sea to Summit has a nice one, but only in blue or apple green. Primary use would be as emergency rain gear to keep in my pack when the weather forecast doesnt call for much/any rain.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Mountain Laurel designs made one until recently that was supposed to be great. Not sure if it is gone for good or just for now but it is no longer on their site.

Six moon designs makes one called the gatewood cape. I have one. It needs to be seam sealed but works great. It is pretty tight as a one person shelter and it catches the wind as a poncho, which happens with all of them but maybe a bit more so because it is so light.

 

[mtwarden]

I had a Golite one many moons ago when I was into the 5-ish lb pack thing. If you use one (they aren't overly large for a shelter) you'll probably want a lightweight bivy to go with it. I also brought one of those $0.99 ponchos with as well (maybe weigh an ounce) to set up (or take down) the poncho/tarp in the rain.

Exped and Rab still make ones.

With the advent of dcf, you can full on shelters (bathtub floor, bug netting, vestibule, etc) for about a pound, so kind of made the poncho/tarp somewhat obsolete.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Zpacks makes a DCF poncho/ground tarp thing I believe.

 

[CaliWoodsman]

With the advent of dcf, you can full on shelters (bathtub floor, bug netting, vestibule, etc) for about a pound, so kind of made the poncho/tarp somewhat obsolete.

Agreed. I'm looking at this with a primary focus on emergency rain gear (with some additional functionality). I always end up packing at least my rain jacket, if not pants as well, "just in case." This would mainly serve to cut weight. Probably a cheap poncho and a lightweight tarp would do the trick just as well.

 

[mrbillbrown]

OP, If you’re still interested in one…. I’ve got a like new MyTrailCo Poncho Tarp in my gear closet somewhere. Bought it right before they were discontinued thinking I better grab one before they were gone. Set it up once to see what it looked like then put it in a large mesh bag in my gear closet. When I get off shift I’ll dig it out and send you some pics.


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[CaliWoodsman]

OP, If you’re still interested in one…. I’ve got a like new MyTrailCo Poncho Tarp in my gear closet somewhere. Bought it right before they were discontinued thinking I better grab one before they were gone. Set it up once to see what it looked like then put it in a large mesh bag in my gear closet. When I get off shift I’ll dig it out and send you some pics.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Would love to see pics if you got em!

 

[mrbillbrown]

Pics of a like new MyTrailCo Poncho Tarp. Been stored loosely in a giant mesh bag with a couple of other tarps. Weighs 7oz with stuff sack. My 6’ tall son is the male model injured here today. Lol

 

[mcseal2]

Pics of my Mytrailco set up as a shelter. Its tight, but for an emergency shelter its fine. I have the same ideas as you on when to take it. If you don’t plan on hiking in rain the Kifaru sheep tarp is a couple ounces heavier, a little bigger, and feels more robust.

 

[mcseal2]

Same configuration with sheep tarp, but the re-enforced points pulled to a second pole and stake for more room

 

[mcseal2]

Discontinued Pathfinder poncho tarp from Self Reliance Outfitters. 7’8” square. When weight isn’t as big an issue I really like it. I set it up as a plough point mostly. It’s the one I trust most in harsh weather, but when the weather is that bad I’d prefer full rain gear and a separate shelter. Usually a Megatarp and stove or Seek DST with a fire.