Thank you so much for this detailed review of the Snugpack Patrol Poncho. Like you, I grew up backpacking with ponchos. But now, gearing up again, I’ve been going back and forth on using a poncho, or getting a rain jacket: dealing with the wind being a major factor in my decision-making. Your explanation of how you mitigate for high wind (poncho under the pack) has finally settled the question for me. Rain jacket (until I change my mind again)!
I like options. One thing I miss with non-sleeve poncho is being able to spread it out and use it as my ground sheet. I may still experiment with that on my new x-mid 1p solid. I just bought the same one I had last winter. Jury still out. Keep Smilin'
Thanks for another great video. I just bought the Sea to Summit Ultra-sil poncho for this season, a switch from a jacket so I wouldn't have to remove my pack to put it on (I'm stashing it in the Kakwa 40's "secret zipper pocket"), and to go a bit lighter. Think I'll rig up one of your "belts" as a precaution for the wind issue.
Yes, had one in the past. Super light but dances in the wind. Trade off of having to take pack to put on poncho or taking off poncho to get something out of pack. Never the perfect solution. Keep Smilin'
@@packtoter So true; there's never a perfect solution. We just have to keep experimenting and finding what works best for us. Part of the fun! Except when it's expensive. :) It's funny, I had my system dialed-in for years but then started having issues with asthma and just getting a bit older, and that started a whole bunch of changes and experimenting. It's been fun, though.
I'd like the Patrol Poncho better if it came in more sizes. The sleeves on mine come to my forearms, and the back barely covers my behind when I have a pack on. It's also a struggle to get over a pack. I moved on to a Packa. You can wear it as a pack cover alone then deploy when it's raining. Double zipper up front lets you choose venting options for the bottom and up top. Giant pit zips helps vent internal moisture as well. There's enough space to reach a water bottle through the pit zips as well.
I've had several. They used to be called Chrome, might still be. This one is a Lightrek by Gossamer Gear. The reason I use this one is the shaft size fits perfectly into the hydration clips I use for hands free carry on my pack straps. Keep Smilin'
Prefer ponchos too. Arms sorely missing on most ponchos. Manufacturers don't/won't use expensive wpb (waterproof-breathable) materials on ponchos, relying solely upon poncho openness for breathability. Quality rain-jackets tout pit-zips and this author prefers split-up-the-sides poncho for the same pit-zip advantage. This author's MYoG'd poncho is therefore made of (currently unavailable) 1.2oz/yd^2 dcf wpb 55k-breathability material from RbtR. A single large rectangle with a zippered head-hole and a zipper-on hood, poncho can double as a wpb-blanket over sleeping-bag/quilt or ground-sheet or second tent-wall. Normally worn under backpack, poncho's back-half is single-buckled around the front (at lower-chest) and backpack's waist-belt further secures the back half to body. Front-half held only at the top by shoulder-straps, is fully open otherwise. Even in fairly breezy conditions, front is therefore very comfortable and openly breathable. If it's too windy or if it's cold, the front half Kam-Snaps the the back-half in the normal poncho fashion. If it becomes really cold and/or windy, the front-half can be further secured under backpack's waist belt. Sewn in arm extensions that are stowable with a single Kam-snap when not needed. Whole thing only weighs 7oz. Given dire condition of hiking rain-gear, one might think such a quality poncho would catch-on? Exceedingly dry, it covers to the knees, eliminating the need for rain-skirt or pants. It being the most breathable and most comfortable rain-system this author's ever seen. Seemed obvious, yet nobody makes it?
It is heavy material. Unlike the past 2 ponchos I've owned that were 4 or 5 ounces lighter, this one seems very sturdy. I wouldn't think puncture would be an issue. Keep Smilin'
I like this poncho style, weight, colors. But these arms are crazy short!! I have this poncho for a year now.... emmm..... it's definetly not 100% waterfroof. It's ok maybe for first 5-10 times and then it will leak, it will be soaking water!! But it's not this poncho alone doing that, all waterproof ponchos and expensive rain jackets are treatened with some water repelant, after 10 times or so they all leak like crazy. So that is a sad truth! Of course those heavy plastic, rubbery or those cheap disposable ones are 100 % waterproof. But all these nylon, goretex.... they all quickly loose their waterproofness. So how about yours snugpak patrol ponchos, do it still 100% waterproof like it was in first day of using? Maybe you now how to make poncho waterproof again ?
Haven't had any leakage problems so far. Used it a lot over the past year. Arms have thumb holes to keep it in place. I have no complaints. Keep Smilin'
