Is the Best Backpacking Jacket . . . a Poncho?

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

You rockin a jacket or poncho these days? Does it cover your pack?

[@pabloelsur1624]

Definitely poncho. Covers everything, gives better ventilation.

[@shawnr6117]

Poncho tarp, it's multi purpose 😁

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

That's something I haven't tried yet but I like the idea!

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Yup!

[@pabloelsur1624]

@@shawnr6117 Tarp-poncho is only so so as a rain gear.

[@barbarastrang9277]

Altus poncho is awesome! Husband and I both used one on Camino. The first couple of days we were caught in a snow storm and over our nano puff jackets we were toasty but not hot. Kept us and packs dry. It held up great the whole way. Highly recommend. We paid 50 euros each at the pilgrim hiking store in SJPDP this spring. Buen Camino!

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

That is awesome! So glad the Camino is finally bouncing back!

[@wisenber]

For those in the US, The Packa is very similar with a few significant distinctions. It is made of a more durable silnylon rather than polyester. It has an external pocket. The zipper is two-way allowing you to unzip the bottom while keeping the top zipped. It has adjustable cuff and huge pit zips. The pit zips are large enough to access items inside the Packa without having to open the front zip. It's also available in several sizes. It's a cottage product that has been on the market for nearly 20 years run by "Cedar Tree" (an AT hiker in Georgia).

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Oh my gosh that sounds perfect! I'll reach out to them. Thank you!

[@wisenber]

@@BackcountryPilgrim He'll even talk to you on the phone if you have any questions about which sizes best cover different packs. There are a few videos on YT about the Packa, but most are pretty old. The venting options keep you drier inside and out.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Yeah, I see some good reviews but they are several years old. This looks amazing though!

[@scentybeast9531]

Must admit, the first time you said poncho in previous videos I thought "hell no!" but you convinced me on that Snugpak in the end. Being able to take it on and off without taking the pack off, and having it within easy reach is just so valuable. Also looking at an Outdry and Shakedry jacket for other uses - but that still doesn't make the poncho obsolete, I think they compliment nicely for different uses.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Yup, right tool for the right job. :) I still use both jackets and ponchos.

[@ExpeditionaryJonny]

That is a very interesting poncho. I always like to carry a poncho for the rain & also as an emergency shelter. The Altus looks like a great poncho for backpacking for the reasons you shared. Thank you for putting this together & sharing!

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

I love great that does more than one thing!

[@chicoflash6377]

Hey, Doctor! Great video. I've begun forming a Camino Consciousness again-I hope to go next May, and the Altus poncho would be a great addition to the kit! Your fantastic research, graphics, and humor are why I always look forward to your videos! Keep 'em coming!

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Wonderful! Maybe I'll see you there haha. :) I am still not sure if it's going to happen for me anytime soon, but if not at least you can tell me about it!

[@RegEdmunds]

I also sewed two loops inside the poncho on both side of the zip at waist height and can connect them via some elasticated cord around my waist to stop flapping when it's windy. My sleeves got attention as well, I took the elastic out and extended the sleeves so that I could hike, and my hands wouldn't get wet when using my hiking sticks. When not needed, I just fold the extensions back over my sleeves. For me, the Altus is the best rain protector that I know of.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Awesome mods!

[@RegEdmunds]

@@BackcountryPilgrim I hate wet hands when I'm hiking.

[@BM-ms3gr]

Snugpak patrol poncho ticks all my boxes, love the large front map pocket

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

I still have mine too!

[@ogoslin]

I was searching your channel last night for rain gear. I wake up and see this video 😄

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

KZbin knows ALL!!!!!!!! hahaha :)

[@psy-op]

I wasn't searching his channel for anything and I still woke up with this video.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Whatever works haha!

[@RegEdmunds]

I've just come across your video. I've tried every way to keep dry and my Altus full zipped poncho is the best, because it's a double purpose item, it keeps me dry and covers my rucksack as well. However, I have made a couple of alterations. I live in the UK, and we mostly have intermittent rain spells, heavy, medium and light. My Altus came to my knees, so my wife sewed on a 6" extension (Tyvek) to the hem for me, now it's 4" from the ground. I also wear my waterproof gaiters as well, so with both working together, all of me stays dry.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Yeah I am a big poncho fan for sure! Cool ideas!

[@jean-baptistesouvestre9690]

I'm new to ponchos, how do you sew something on nylon ? Did you have to do anything to make this mod waterproof ?

[@RegEdmunds]

My wife did the sewing on her machine, evidently Tyvek is easy to sew, but how she sewed it to nylon? Sorry, but I don't know. Once done I took it out in some heavy rain and got wet knees, so dabbed along the stitching with tent waterproofer. It worked, so no more wet knees.

[@johnjohns9458]

Liked the video. Decathlon make a poncho/jacket that is very similar. It has great pit zips and a halo adjustable hood. The downside is it is only done in one size and one colour ( orangey red) in the UK it sells for around £40

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

I'll have to check that out!

[@paulkartsyart4415]

I bought the very similar Ferrino brand raincape a few months back. I live in Oregon, where it is quite rainy, and unfortunately, it is only waterproof for about the first 30 minutes. After that, the water starts seeping through the fabric. I am wondering if this brand you are showing is actually waterproof after a good few hours of rain. Great concept, but I don’t think they have nailed the waterproofing yet, especially when you show a zipper that is not seam sealed. That will only last a relatively short period of time before the water gets through. Thanks for your video!

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

I live in California so rarely enough rain to tell haha. I will say that unless you've got three layer goretex or rubber not much lightweight fabric will stand up to a ton of rain.

[@simeonsoto6570]

I was hiking the AT with some friends and even in a absolute downpour we were fine but this would have been amazing to have. My pack still got a little bit wet on the top even with my rain cover!

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Yeah water is sneaky!

[@Jarhead2714]

A great video. BUT you mentioned the Snug Pack being $40. I can’t find one less than $79. Where?

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Here's the link from the video: amzn.to/2N7I4CC Looks like it's $80 now yikes!

[@Doc_Watson]

That's a neat item. Long enough that you don't need a rain skirt or pants. Would be great if they added pit zips.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Yeah and pockets haha. But I think the ability to quickly billow out your heat makes up for the pit zips.

[@distaff2935]

I have the Sungpack and like it, but it could be better. Arms feel short, and I just don't care for the way the neck and hood are cut. That map pocket with the velcro is a PITA - should be a zipper, instead. Recently purchased an Angolan military surplus poncho (new, and very similar to the US version). Quality gear, but very heavy, and still stinks of rubber (or whatever the fabric coating is). However, the military poncho was also purchased to serve as an emergency tarp, should work well for that. Looks like the Altus would be a big step up from Sungpack. Love that front zipper. Thanks for the detailed info.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

You wouldn't think there'd be so many variables on a poncho, but there are and they can really matter! A poncho doubling as a tarp has always intrigued me. I hope it works well for you!

[@RegEdmunds]

I had a traditional poncho, but physical effort always meant inside condensation, but my full zip poncho minimises that problem. In a rain lull, I just undo my zip and the inside of the poncho dries rapidly.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Perfect!

[@ricardomoretti9695]

It is a rain overcoat. I used it during my Camino France in April 2018 and used it again in 2019 and walked the Camino Frances again! I had originally had a poncho but it proved useless in heavy rain, heavy wind or cold or veering wind. Mine is Rab. It is heavier than a ponco but well worth the weight in the shoulder months. During my Caminos, there was occasionally strong winds, cold days, snow, veering winds, and horizontal rain. This was true especially early on in April and in the mountain areas. I still use a regular poncho but more so during the warmer days of summer. It is baggier than a regular rain jacket which mean better air circulation and less overheating. However, for the same reason, baggier, it is not ideal for bushwhacking but then again neither is a poncho. Though the poncho can serve different purposes such as a tarp or a ground cloth for your tent...so more versatile.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Sounds great! This is more like a coat than a poncho too. :)

[@KikoBinge]

Yes, i doubt there is good poncho for heavy or horizontal rain, especially with 2000mm rating

[@jamesparker6383]

It's a nice looking poncho and it was also a great review, but I think I'll stick with my old U.S. military poncho seeing it has multiple uses.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Very good!

[@MiscMitz]

That looks very decent

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Super decent! :)

[@brashachilles9725]

The Ferrino Trekker is also a good poncho.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

I'll check it out!

[@sarahs784]

Thanks for this, it was v helpful. I've ordered one after dithering for a bit! Did you find it a bit sweaty? The one Decathlon sell has pit zips in theirs, but it was 200g (7oz) heavier so that decided me against it, though it's a bit cheaper.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

I sweat in everything haha, so venting is always welcome. The front zip and poncho style does a lot more for me than pit zips on a jacket.

[@andrewm6666]

Thoughtful review👍 Would it fit over a 5000cu or 95Litre pack?

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

It would fit over just about anything but the taller the pack the higher it would lift the bottom.

[@adrianbyrne3413]

Thank you for the video. Would you recommend this over the Snugpack poncho?

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

For features, yes. Weight, no . :)

[@adrianbyrne3413]

Thanks for responding. Does it matter is the poncho is manufactured from nylon or polyester? There’s is the Quechua (Decathlon) 75 lite poncho. It has pit zips which interest me too. Regards Adrian - Ireland.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

All things being equal, nylon is softer, stretchier, stronger, and lighter - but polyester is more natively water and UV resistant, cheaper, and less noisy.

[@pabloelsur1624]

If I may have a few detailed questions,. Doug: 1) size of your poncho is M/L? 2) zipper is a two-way? 3) what is the length of the zipper? in centimetres pls ;)

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Yes M/L. The zipper is one way, 99cm long. Thanks for watching!

[@pabloelsur1624]

@@BackcountryPilgrim Thanks! Mine is still on the way, but I'm preparing some modifications. 2way main zipper and 2way pit zips, I have to buy.

[@drytool]

Have you ever tried the original, The Packa.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

I have not!

[@drytool]

@@BackcountryPilgrim If you wake up and it is cloudy you can cinch it on your pack as a pack cover with the cagoule part tucked in, Then, if it starts to rain, you can pull the cagoule part out and put it on without taking your pack off, it also has pit zips big enough to stick your arms out if you need to for ventilation. it comes in a bunch of different mix- and-match pack and cagoule sizes, meaning, you can be big with a small pack or small with a big pack or anything in between. Pretty cool.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

@drytool Sounds excellent!

[@usrdk]

Wish I could find one. Amazon only has the M/L and I’m 6’1 with a 70 liter pack. So I’m thinking I’d need the XL but can’t find one for sale anywhere. Any ideas?

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

They're hard to find these days. Look through the comments because some other good suggestions have been made!

[@scotbotvideos]

What size did you get and how tall are you? I just ordered the XL and I've a feeling it may be too big for me (5'12" ish -- on a good day, haha).

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

I actually borrowed this for the review, but I usually size up my shell layers.

[@scotbotvideos]

Well, my order either arrives tomorrow or Friday, so we'll see how big on me it is. I'll try with a number of backpacks, and I'll report back my findings.@@BackcountryPilgrim

[@chrisgjerde]

Would sure like to know how that turned out. Same here. Was the XL way too big?

[@scotbotvideos]

@@chrisgjerde No, it's just right. It's certainly baggy, but that's really how it's meant to be.

[@MassiveCarbonFootprint]

Looks like a great product, but wearing it with shorts kind of turns you into the backcountry flasher

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Ok but does that go in the plus or minus column??? Lol!

[@shawnr6117]

Feel the breeze above your knees 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Watch out backpacking kilts, there's a new jacket in town....

[@Tanko3691]

Ye I think the snugpak pips this.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

We don't say "pips" in the USA but I think I get your meaning haha!

[@Tanko3691]

@@BackcountryPilgrim Really? I thought "pipped at the post" was a pretty universal term at horse racing events, predominantly in English speaking countries of course, although, interestingly I believe the word pip originally came from the Dutch.

[@wisenber]

The problem with the Snugpak is that the rear hikes up too high with a pack of any size, and its one size fits all doesn't. Shorter people will be dragging it around their ankles, and taller people will have sleeves only coming down to your forearms.

[@rowanmulvey8632]

Snugpak does not zip all the way down the front, different entry and exit entirely.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

I know nothing about horses haha!

[@gregeberhardt1711]

Does it blow up (like you are Marilyn Monroe and it’s 1954)? Just wondering when over the pack.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

It would blow around but it would take a lot to flip it up MM style. :)

[@gregeberhardt1711]

Thx

[@bcamping1]

The word you are looking for is raincoat.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

I don't consider shells coats. ;)

[@sickoflies2050]

What is the weight of the poncho?

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

12 oz. See description for details.

[@SpassImGlas]

Why call it a poncho? That is obviously a raincoat.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

See 2:22.

[@laughing-knees]

It’s a cagoule.

[@laughing-knees]

It’s a cagoule.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

It does look kind of like that.

[@laughing-knees]

Back in the 70’s the French outdoor company, Millet, created the cagoule. They wanted to create a garment that could be used in the high mountains that ventilated as well as a poncho, but could handle wind better and could be used as an emergency shelter when the weather got bad. The early cagoules were designed to be pulled over your knees when you squatted. Patagonia picked up on this design and listed the cagoule in their catalog at the time, and that’s how cagoules became popular in the 70’s. For some reason cagoules lost favor among hikers and mountaineers, despite its many advantages, but remained popular among sea kayakers (the Kokatat cagoule was one of the most popular). I still use a cagoule today for my high mountain walks.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

@laughing-knees Interesting! It's a great design, other than being heavy for ultralighters I don't know why it wouldn't be popular!

[@SylvainSybaris]

Made in Spain? I say that is good, I like Spain.... I'm glad it is NOT made in CHINA. === Ok, so I tried to order it, but the Amazon is in a foreign language, so I'm guessing it will NOT be shipped to the USA.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Getting it from Amazon seems to be hit and miss.