USGI Woodland Camo Military Ponchos: Are They Still Worth The Price?

If you can find one, a genuine U.S. military poncho can cost anywhere between $60-$100.
They are Made in USA and are certainly durable. Long have they been one of the most highly recommended pieces of gear in the outdoor community, and still a staple for hunters, bushcrafters and preppers.
In this video we compare them to some of their Ultralight Counterparts the Onewind Ultralight Silnylon Tarp Poncho in Olive Drab and Woodland Camo. At $30-$35 and at around 8 oz, could it be that in 2021 these newer models of military style ponchos will finally dethrone what has long been held as one of the most versatile shelter options for outdoor enthusiasts, and will bushcrafters and preppers be willing to go Ultralight?

[@whileecoyote8719]

The modular sleep system is quite heavy and bulky but for three seasons you don't need it. All I carry is a poncho and woobie. Ranger burrito is the best.

[@benjaminwright-rj9xc]

I have one of the older ponchos of even heavier material. I love its thickness for when I need a heavy duty poncho.

[@4891Cody]

If you want to buy a never used USGI poncho you can buy them from the manufacturer ORC Industries who makes the actual USGI ponchos. They sell two versions one is the old UCP cammo and the other is solid green which I bought and on the paperwork it stated Afghan wet weather poncho. The green one has it’s own NSN number on it. Apparently they overproduced a bunch for the government and are selling them to the public since I literally got mine in the mail today with it being dated as having been made in 2017.

[@kaisermojica4216]

Thanks for sharing, is there a website?

[@4891Cody]

@@kaisermojica4216 Yeah ORC Industries has a website a quick google or bing search will bring it up. Did leave a direct link in a reply 2 days ago on here but either youtube bot deleted it or you did either way I'm not affiliated with ORC Industries just telling people were to get real surplus (never issued gear) instead of used military gear.

[@kaisermojica4216]

@@4891Cody i definitely did not delete it, thanks for sharing.

[@absufan]

Awesome comment... just ordered 2. Now if I could just find one in Woodland for a reasonable price. Thank you

[@jamesparker6383]

mine was made in 1991

[@AquaTech225]

The Wilderness innovations poncho is the way to go. Different weight an types of materials an patterns or solids. Ultra light weight or 50-60% dyneema blend fabric. 12 webbing tie outs around it. To make a tent/tarp out of it. All the double sided metal snaps like the US poncho. Built in dyneema cord to be turned into a instant hammock. Can have optional sleeve extensions added to it. Can have an optional hoodie like pocket added to it. The poncho liner he sells has multiple colors/patters. Can choose the weight of the Apex insulation it’s made with. Has the head hole. To actually wear it under the poncho. Double sided steel snaps to match the snaps on the poncho. Also has built in bungee cords an the bottom of the front an back so it can be snapped to the poncho u see it when it’s set up as a hammock. An the ends can be cinched in with the built in cord. To become a full length hammock underquilt. Also sells a bugnet that slides over it. And a top quilt if needed And a ultralight tarp or can use a second poncho. An best of all. Sewn on tag. MADE IN THE USA. not some Chinese thrown together poncho. But something bombproof in quality. Own a bunch of his gear. Few ponchos liners an things. An been way past impressed with all of it.

[@michaelm1053]

Where can I get a wilderness innovation poncho? The website is offline

[@bayouflats5054]

I happened on your video while engaged in an exhausting search for genuine US surplus poncho. Forget that! I actually stopped watching to go to One Wind site and purchased the woodland camo poncho. FYI; the camo was a separate tab then the green,blue & grey ponchos. The later three being on sale at just under $30. Mine in camo was just under $34. Also, my receipt shows mine as 20D( the option bar also) and 98”X 56”. The other three were noted as 15D and 89”X56”. As I just miss being a member of the Lollipop Guild, I predict I’ll be well covered. Thanks for your effort. Yours and another’s review from a long time active bushcrafter and trusted source, sold me on giving it a chance. I love my surplus, but sometimes…..,😁

[@kinch613]

I have never found a better quality poncho than the USGI ones. I have several and the issued poncho beats them hands down. Yes it is heavier but it is much more durable. Wet and cold can kill! So I will take the extra weight here.

[@Dutcharmytent]

I have the US army olive green poncho, I use it for bike packing in the UK. Picked it up for $40 in 2002.

[@joshwagner4368]

Yes, the snaps on the USGI poncho can be used to connect two together into a bigger shelter or turn them into an impromptu bivy. However, they are also the same size and spacing as the snaps on the USGI shelter half, letting you rig up some truly inventive and spacious shelter options.

[@petepete66]

I like Original Military Gear ... they are made for Ever ... and they have the better Camouflage... 🍀🍀🍀✌️😁✌️🔥🔥🔥 Woodland is Perfect

[@MrBikboi]

Great video. It's almost impossible for me to find an actual usgi poncho these days. I really do enjoy collecting surplus military kit though.

[@kaisermojica4216]

Thanks for watching. Likewise military surplus will always hold a special place in my heart.

[@4891Cody]

ORC Industries makes ponchos for the US Military. They currently sell two versions to the public. One in UCP and the other in green which they made for the war in Afghanistan apparently.

[@bayouflats5054]

@@4891Cody thanks Cody. I just pulled the trigger on one wind camo, but if it doesn’t hold up, I’ll know better we’re to look now.

[@joem5903]

REAL US military poncho is larger than any of the civilians ones. Sometimes as much as 6 inches wider.

[@joannekeefe426]

I found a usgi for 40$. It was a bit beat up but it works. I have used the thinner lightweight ponchos. I'm just fine with my usgi I find it lightweight. As you said its the wider of the bunch and really the only one big enough for a bivy. If in an emergency situation you would have to look at the shine on the other fabrics. My grandfather would have had some good advice here because he went through the depression of the 1930's. Just like his advice on getting a good pair of shoes. Weight wise or penny wise is dollar foolish. Get quality. Buy a poncho as if it was the last one you were gonna buy. Get the usgi. If you can. If you can't then get a military poncho from another country. But again make sure its authentic. Colemans military surplus has an Angolian army poncho. You might be able to still get the German green rubber beast which is bigger than the usgi its bombproof. I have two polish ponchos that make the tipi. One mil spec. One usgi, and a swiss alpenflaunge poncho which is absolutely ridiculous but its my favorite piece of gear. I have worn that out in hurricanes and blizzards. Have a good poncho. Military. Ultralight hiking is different and don't base your life on one of those!

[@kaisermojica4216]

Thank you for sharing your perspective, appreciate all points of view. Do you have any suggestions on more Grey Man friendly options? One of the reasons I started looking into ultralight options is the ability to shrink the size of the pack you carry not just the weight, I once showed my BOB packed into USMC ILBE pack and assault pack to my friend Jim and he said in SHTF in New York City I would stick out like a sore thumb in Camo and carrying a 70 liter backpack. He believes I would attract unwarranted attention and expose myself and my family to more risk than with a smaller more urban friendly pack. Always appreciate suggestions. Thanks again.

[@joannekeefe426]

@@kaisermojica4216 well I'll tell you. I was out in the rain at night walking to the store wearing my usgi woodland camo. I was crossing the street. I almost got ran over by a car. The guy didn't see me. So what does that tell you. Truthfully a mob is just gonna want it for themselves. In a shft you gonna want to travel at night. Your gonna want to hide. You can with camo, better than anything else. The poncho has so many uses the first was obviously to keep you and your things dry then concealed. What i plan to do is i got one of those old lady shopping carts. Which I will put a bag of cans on top of it kind of hanging out so it looks like I have a cart full of clunky cans. My pack is an osprey. Its a 65 ltr and would stick out just as well.

[@joannekeefe426]

@@kaisermojica4216 so in the old lady cart is a 55 gallon drum liner and my pack goes in the trash bag. The shopping bag size i will have at least two filled with cans on top. I actually will look like I have all garbage. Plan b. My bike. I just got a rear rack for my bike. Which then I have dry bags. I didn't put pannier clips on the bags im just going to strap them on. One larger one in the middle, two 20 ltr ones on the sides. I can still wear my pack though. It is a used mountain bike. I paid 140$ for it and it came with a steel front basket. If there alot of snow that might not be possible. I don't have a car.

[@joannekeefe426]

So now I'm working on a coat which obviously wouldn't replace my Gortex dessert camo parks with ykk zippers. I love my coat! But you have the debate of wool blanket vs sleeping bag. So I'm gonna get a wool coat just to go over my dessert camo and to use as a wool blanket. There is a thrift store near me that has a dollar sale day. So I already got one there for a dollar. I cut it up though. I have a new canteen cover, air mattress cover etc etc. Geez sorry Calvin Klein! But I'm actually on the look out for another one. This one too big, rotten color and make sure it makes me look frumpy. Yikes! I actually almost bought one of those London fog trench coats because I wanted the liner for something else. Nothing says yuck like one of those huh? Well the point is just for a cover having one nasty looking coat but is warm, and clean of course but not to look it!

[@joannekeefe426]

One more thing to add to the shopping cart disaster disguise. If you can find a piece of nasty looking pipe all rusty to add to you been out scraping look. Its really a weapon. A piece of lead pipe is mighty. Then if that fails out comes my condor mini duku parang. I don't have any guns. So these will have to do. And if you do get shopping bags with cans in them make sure they are all different and ripped to make it look like you picked them off the ground. So that's my take on it. First get wheels. You don't even have a pack. Look like a scraper. Aluminum is lightweight any odd looking piece of aluminum will add to it. That could get you far. You will have to camp sooner or later in any shft then you be glad to have camo. Stay safe@ stay dry, stay warm! Peace!

[@cokesmocker39]

I don't know why but for some reason the video isn't coming up for me. I have audio only...

[@brushbum7508]

What site did you get the USGI poncho atPLEASE ? How much for yours ? TAKE CARE..

[@kaisermojica4216]

Ebay, there is one at the moment for $47 plus shipping and handling says preowned but has a tag on it .seller is bearlymine, good luck!

[@brushbum7508]

@@kaisermojica4216 Merry Christmas. I just looked, but cant find it in my listings. Thanks. TAKE CARE..

[@natureme2392]

Don't they get ripped when you pass across brushes I am talking about usgi poncho

[@kaisermojica4216]

Hey so far so good. I’m sure there’s a sharp stick somewhere that can poke a hole through one of these but so far so good. And fairly easy to repair in the field with Gearaid tenacious tape if it did. I bought one which already had damage and repaired it and it has help up well so far. Forgot the exact denier but it’s considerably thick/robust. Just a matter of finding one and at a good price. Hope this helps.

[@natureme2392]

@@kaisermojica4216 thank you sir!

[@jasonyama333]

Try $120-$145

[@kaisermojica4216]

Is that how much USGI ponchos are going for now? Wow!!! Is all I can say.

[@jasonyama333]

@@kaisermojica4216 Last 2 i found on ebay

[@dirtyknucklegarage4085]

I’ll stick with the military poncho

[@jamesparker6383]

you get what you pay for

[@christophermichaels6569]

I bought a used one for $68 today and I canceled the order when I found out it wasn’t usgi.

[@christophermichaels6569]

I bought a used one for $68 today and I canceled the order when I found out it wasn’t usgi.