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 !
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
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 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.
@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.
$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.
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 😮.
