Waterproof Ponchos compared! (Helikon-Tex & Surplus)

[@robthompson1399]

I have a Dutch army poncho and a mil tec poncho. I take the mil tec whenever I go for a walk with the family. I keep the Dutch one at work. There aren't many good scenarios to wear a poncho as a tree surgeon, but it makes a great place to keep kit/lunch etc dry, and a dry spot for a brew. The hood fits over my helmet when I do wear it. The mil tec is light, even with 4x 4m & 1x15m paracord all in the bag. A poncho is sooo versatile. A hammock, stretcher, deckchair, water collection, rain jacket, tent, bag, bivi bag, hide... it just goes on and on !

[@johnmccarthy2179]

I liked the way you laid one poncho over the other so you could see the difference in size

[@jimcy1318]

The old British pocho used to be in olive drab, if you don't like camo, but in the early eighties I got a German army rubber one, absolutely bomb proof. Probably hard to find nowadays, just remember to air them properly when you get out of the field. Unscented talc or Fuller's earth works best before stowing away.

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

The Bundeswehr poncho you describe is usually available out of Finland at Verusteleka for a decent price. Not affiliated but I am a frequent shopper!

[@andreasnigeus640]

Mil-tec offers lightweight ponchos based on the german in OD, I have one I´ve been very happy with

[@blackboardbloke]

Forces, Uniform & Kit have them in, £23.50 👍

[@Ukraineaissance2014]

I know where you can get the german rubber ones for cheap, good but i dont like the shine from them.

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

Nice comparison. I always can use another poncho. Thanks for showing us and take care.

[@moorshound3243]

I still use the old German rubber poncho. They are heavy but I have been using them for 20 years.

[@treksntarps]

Nice look at . I've got the helikon poncho . No probs so far , comes out with me all the time . Handy bit of kit . 👍

[@cardiacbob]

I have a grey Helikon Tex, and I love it.

[@kennnuthatch5724]

I've used military type ponchos and the gortex military pant/coat combo...if you're not moving much or at all, you'll stay dry, if moving you'll sweat and get soaked anyway... The wind blockage is the difference.

[@EdwinDekker71]

Love my Dutch army poncho, great piece of kit, also as a groundsheet or even a make shift bivi

[@HobbiesAndSunshine]

I have a genuine Mil-tec poncho, not used it much but it goes in my backpack on when camping or spending the day out trekking. Nice review.

[@kennethwilson8633]

Wool blanket in the cold or poncho liner in the summer and a poncho is a great sleep system. Have fun stay safe.

[@edpikestone6800]

Good video, I have heard that the Helikon poncho is short for anyone over 5’10”. Good to see the comparison.

[@crouchingtadpole5158]

Thank you for the recommendation. I have a previously used British 58 Pattern, MFH US poncho, Mil-Tec Poncho and the Helikon-Tex poncho, each with their benefits and disadvantages. The 58 is large and bombproof and I have had for 35 years but extremely heavy and bulky. The Helikon is great but a little small for my 6'3'', 100 Kg frame. The MFH is very light construction weight but handy to tuck into the bottom of a bag and the Mil-Tec has a rubber lining making it a very sweaty affair. This Dutch army one seems a nice balance between the 58 pattern and the Helikon-Tex. Just waiting for this gail to slow down a bit to try it as a shelter! PS. the hood is indeed monstrously large!

[@greencraft4783]

Indeed, in yesterday's crap weather I was thinking about a adjustment system for it

[@crouchingtadpole5158]

At the moment that would be an aircraft carrier anchor! 🤣

[@jerrymacklow1452]

I also started with a 58 pattern one. It attaches to the bottom of the 58 sleeping bag. It left my head exposed. I also found the hood way too big. I think it's designed to fit over a helmet. Inspired me to get a more modern one though and I haven't looked back.

[@hop333]

Is the MFH (or Helikon) tough enough to use as a groundsheet? Currently using Mil-Tech which is robust but fairly heavy. Looking for something similar quality and waterproofness but lighter.

[@crouchingtadpole5158]

@@hop333 i have found tyvek is about the best because if it gets trashed it’s cheap to replace

[@umollerstrom]

Great overview Neil! I'd love a "non-budget" compare with the a Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Nano! :D

[@GrandadBaz]

I carry a 58 Pattern Ponch, it's heavy and bulky I'll be taking a look at these two in the next week or so

[@je710817]

Nice video ...i used the Dutch poncho in the army...l9ved it and yes we used it with our helmet on... If you snap 2 ponchos together you have a big basha...as a civy I using 2 poncho s or my jungle A frame bed .. Greetings from Holland

[@EdwinDekker71]

Dutch KL poncho 🇳🇱👋 ik gebruik 'm nog :)

[@je710817]

@@EdwinDekker71 goed bezig!

[@jerrymacklow1452]

I've carried them for years. Not sure they'd be ideal in a Dartmoor storm but they are quite the best when in the woods. The cheap Chinese ones can be bought for less than a tenner and seem to be okay. Some have a reflective lining.

[@thedeathwobblechannel6539]

If possible I suggest rain trousers to keep your lower legs dry. Water dripping off poncho or splashing up off the ground will soak up legs.

[@blackboardbloke]

I wear gaiters which come up to just below my knee below shorts mostly, my USGI surplus poncho goes down to a similar level so, with flapping in breeze/wind, the most that gets wet is my knees and skin dries off a lot faster than pants.

[@SouthLondonLadOutdoors]

Great video, cheers Neil. It's a hame prices have rocketed in the past year since you recorded this but that's the world we live in hey? :(

[@Dutcharmytent]

Just the comparison video I wanted to see

[@GeorgeOrwell-yz6zx]

Great video. Thanks!

[@brianvannorman1465]

Good information. Hello from San Diego.

[@anthonyjacobs6790]

Thanks for another interesting video

[@MichaelR58]

Neil , good review , thanks for sharing ,God bless !

[@kurtsteiner8384]

I have a mill tech made in germany poncho. Only just got it but very simular to that i used in Royal Navy not quite so long if worn as jacket, but if used as tarp it wont be noticed, its a copy not genuine millitary but its good. Will have to try it out and use it soon.

[@earlshaner4441]

Hi from Syracuse NY USA brother thank you for sharing

[@chrisshows6664]

You always knew good videos thank you

[@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.

[@loriekaczmarek9788]

Poncho, liner, mosquito net, a piece of camo netting. And a ground cloth. All rolls into one nice roll . All you need for shelter and sleeping. Or, poncho, liner, and bivy with a head net. And a camo netting. Don't need the camo netting if your not worried about blending in.

[@vvs3796]

I wonder if poncho or a jacket is better for jungle environment?

[@bobbader4789]

What kind of jacket were you wearing here?

[@csul8087]

Liked the video and have a British issue one and though a bit heavy as it is early 90s issue is a great bit of kit . If I was to go for a new one I would go for the Dutch issue as I bet its a lot more durable.

[@joepublic7264]

I got a Dutch one it goes perfect with the Dutch bivi

[@RAYANDERS-w4t]

THANKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@davidallen7540]

Great channel

[@LB-W]

What about the space poncho?

[@eugenijakrivosejeva3020]

i have mil-tec poncho. bought it around 2016. used it extensively as poncho, as shelter etc.the problem with mine is that waterproof rubber lining worn off after a few years, also seams started leaking, especially around the hood. not durable product. now mostly use as groundsheet. will look to buy a military surplus one.

[@geanhitchcock1170]

where are they for £17 only can find them at £30 plus in the uk

[@couchcamperTM]

That's the way to do it, with Dutch poncho and German army "swiss knife". :-)

[@Tux7.62]

Good video. Informative and interesting. I need to get me a real poncho. With that being said: I gave the Iturri Patrol boots a try. And I am beyond impressed, they are on par or better, than my Solomon Quest’s. And they are way cheaper! Edit: It appears your links are not working.

[@greencraft4783]

I must try to sort the links! Glad you liked the patrol boots....I use them for everything now! The cheapest, but probably the most comfortable I have ever owned

[@kurtsteiner8384]

If you have genuine military ponchos, dont forget the poncho liner, turns it into sleep system, and canpside blanket 3 items intotal all very usefull

[@joepublic7264]

I got a Dutch one it's perfect with my Dutch hooped bivi

[@pawel_tips911]

I have two, perfect. They made also a dark navy one, which is a little bit bigger.

[@joepublic7264]

They nice bits of kit

[@pawel_tips911]

I think the poncho from Helikon is too small, it should be 10-20cm wider.

[@sren.s.hansen4595]

Hej Neil 👍From 🇩🇰 keep going

[@cwjolly69]

Nice

[@DrJuan-ev8lu]

I carry a ripstop poncho from Temu in my fanny pack along with a mylar emergency poncho.

[@johnrutherford4042]

£17 I've just paid £30 Good vids tho keep up the good work ,well done

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

You really can't go wrong with a good poncho! The two I generally use are the Bundeswehr green poncho (very heavy but very grunt proof!) and the Mil-tec poncho. Both have served very well over the years and I love them!

[@puddleduck4924]

I cant find the Dutch one for under $40 used. :( I ended up buying a couple of the knock off camo ones on Amazon.

[@garenkarapetian709]

Are any of these ponchos sturdy enough to serve as a hammock? ...or a sleeve for stretcher? in other words, which one of the ponchos is made of material sturdy enough to hold a person? Thanks.

[@greencraft4783]

The Dutch one is.

[@garenkarapetian709]

@@greencraft4783 Thanks for the answer. I would've thought Helikon-Tex was made of stronger material because of it's rip-stop fabric. What bout the standard British army poncho? Is it as strong as the Dutch one? Can it withstand being used as a hammock diagonally? or, can British poncho withstand being used as a sleeve for one of those pyramid beds? I'm in the market for a poncho, so need too buy the sturdiest bang-for-the-quid and bang-for-the-weight possible.

[@blackboardbloke]

@Garen Karpetian Any NATO member nation military issue poncho will be strong enough to serve as a hammock as they were designed to be ‘squaddy proof’ and the fabric strong enough to be used to carry a casualty (its replacement, due to breathable waterproofs, the larger British army shelter sheet.. basha… has webbing handles) a makeshift battlefield stretcher. They’re also a standard size and the side studs are spaced the same so allies can buddy up to make larger shelters by studding as many as you need. The ‘Corporals Corner’ has a poncho hammock demo using a USGI poncho, plus many other ways of using a poncho.

[@lansdorf]

Are they useless when it's very windy.

[@msubirdhunter7310]

Do you have any backpack recommendations?

[@bovdogsandthewoods]

Is the helikon ripstop

[@greencraft4783]

Yes. See my recent video tho

[@bovdogsandthewoods]

@@greencraft4783 cheers will whip out the fabsil every few years! Use it on my bell tent so have plenty about

[@bovdogsandthewoods]

@@greencraft4783 sorry another question, what do you do to keep your sleeves dry?

[@pawel_tips911]

At least mine, Dutch military poncho is rubbered, so it's heaver, but more robust.

[@johncrouch8988]

I still use the old olive British poncho. Big and waterproof. Heavier than most modern ponchos and still working well. 👍🇬🇧

[@ironkid8836]

Yeah I got the 1000th like cheers for the review need a poncho meself I Will sub to your channel now also

[@albertocutcha5238]

Hoo-Yah

[@remminimidget2739]

WHERE'S THE LINK - FORGRT THE BEEF -

[@Chris66able]

All of them are useless as a shelter..If its raining what do you wear while making, or taking down your shelter !

[@blackboardbloke]

You stake out from the inside, the worst you get wet is hands and just above the wrist.

[@danielgrubb9668]

Well, that Helikon poncho is not cheap, anymore. $250!

[@Jib230181]

$250, bloody hell where you buying yours from lol. I bought one a few months back and cost me in British pounds £35 including p&p but then the Helikon US poncho is a copy a remake of the genuine US military poncho pattern. If your buying a genuine version I can see a $250 price range but not a Helikon version, surely not but if so that’s crazy.

[@Jib230181]

Edit from last comment Just came across a listing on Amazon US and saw a listing selling $250 plus $11 p&p wow that is absolutely crazy. That must be for a genuine military version not a Helikon-Tex version. Wow just wow 😮.