Who makes the lightest poncho? I would assume that MLD makes the lightest poncho tarp, but I wonder if anyone makes a lighter poncho (that only works as a poncho).

Edited by rossbleakney on 04/02/2009 12:24:41 MDT.

Not that I know of. You could make a MYOG one pretty easily, and you could theoretically make it out of cuben that is lighter than whay MLD uses, but the durability would be seriously compromised. Honestly, the difference between a 2oz MYOG tissue thin poncho and a 4oz reasonably tough MLD poncho/tarp is not something I would lose sleep over, even if this IS BPL! I have used the tissue thin cuben (0.33oz/yd) for the bottom of a bivy bag, but that is for a very light use (inside tarptent only). I can't imagine it would last long with pack straps and hipbelt rubbing on it.

> I can't imagine it would last long with pack straps and hipbelt rubbing on it.

Wouldn't you wear your pack *under* the poncho?
I do.

"Wouldn't you wear your pack *under* the poncho?"

Depends on how windy it is. Although I try to NOT take a pocnho if I expect high winds, sometimes it is inevitable, in which case the poncho is less drafty if worn under the pack. Since all my essential gear is in a dry-bag anyway, I'm not too concerned abgout my pack geting wet.

I can't imagine a manufactuerer ever offering something this fragile though, so MYOG is prolly the only option. Might be worth a try for ~$50 worth of fabric. I personally would be tempted to use mylar tape over the hood seams, or at least some Seam Grip or similar.

I think the MLD one is cuben. I was thinking the benefit of a poncho designed to be only a poncho is that it would be a better poncho (but a worse tarp). It might be more comfortable (even if it didn't save much weight).

Yes, the MLD one is cuben, but is not the *lightest* cuben available, so weight could be shaved by using lighter fabric in an MYOG project. What design features would you like to see changed from a rectangular poncho/tarp design that would make it more comfortable?

Whichever bpl member did the AT yoyo carried a light kiddie sized poncho. Google AT yoyo and check out his gear.

"Lightest" is a term like "cheapest".

Neither term inherently implies either adequacy or quality.

IMO, there are some places where sacrificing these characters in favor of weight can be foolhardy at best.

Matt is referring to Brian Doble.

Here's the gearlist.

Chris is correct - can't copy/paste on blackberry...

they are like 3 bucks and last for a single use or two if your careful. They have got to be the lightest

Ross, I made one out of 1.1 oz silnylon for my tall self that weighed 5 oz and for my petite wife that weighed 3 oz.

At 5.5 oz the Integral Designs Silcoat Cape may not be the lightest but it is light. It's a small-ish poncho and to my mind just the right size if you have no intention of using it for shelter. Mine just covers my 35L pack. At around $60 it's a good buy.

Thanks for the responses. I'm not sure if I'll switch to poncho mode, but it is nice to know the options if I do.

Hands down the lightest poncho will be to order the QuestOutfitters Parcho for use without a pack - http://www.questoutfitters.com/patterns-jackets-cart.htm#Jacket%20Patterns and email them for the price they charge without the silnylon. I ordered the Parcho for use with a pack without the silnylon. Then I had them ship the items to Joe Valesko at zpacks.com who earlier agreed to make the Parcho with Cuben Fiber instead, but use the pattern and zipper, etc., that came with the kit from QuestOutfitters.

I just got the cuben fiber parcho 2 nights ago and will post photos later. It is either 5.0 oz or 5.5 oz total weight and it is fantastic. I would imagine the weight would be closer to 4 oz without use on a pack.

Joe is great for doing custom cuben fiber work.

> Hands down the lightest poncho will be to order the QuestOutfitters Parcho

I really want to see this.
I guess you haven't had a chance to use it yet?

Ok, here are the photos. No, I have not been able to use it in the rain yet. Shown with and without a pack, pack is a fully loaded Nimbuz Ozone by Granite Gear. When pack is not on, I used my belt to snug it securely around the waist, which to me makes the most sense, if using it as a jacket at night when your pack is inside your tarptent. It weighs 5 oz exactly and that includes the cuben fiber stuff sack. Joe Valesko told me the waterproof zipper weighs 1 oz by itself.

IMG_0194_front_with_pack

IMG_0195_Side_view_with_pack

IMG_0196_Arm_View

IMG_0198_facing_right_without_pack

IMG_0203_Cuben_Parcho_Weighs_5oz_in_stuff_sack

What did the folks at Midwest think?

I was charged $18.29 for this (everything minus the silnylon fabric):

http://www.questoutfitters.com/patterns-jackets-cart.htm#Jacket%20Patterns

PARCHO DESIGNED BY WILLIAM GURWELL
#9112

Kit with pattern & instr. for use with pack
$44.79 (if you get it with silnylon fabric)
KITS INCLUDE ALL OF THE SUPPLIES NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE PARCHO (IE: FABRIC, THREAD, ZIPPER, WEBBING, HOOK & LOOP AND FASTENTER, ETC, ).
NOTE: KITS DO NOT INCLUDE SEAM SEALER

Joe Valesko charged me $88 for the cuben fiber fabric with the cuben fiber tape to seal everything (from the inside) except where the waterproof zipper is involved. Email Joe (contact him via zpacks.com) to get his labor charge for doing this. I obtained email permission from Quest Outfitters for Joe to do the sewing-for-hire with their pattern.

Now that I have tried it on, the only improvement/changes I would suggest for future orders (which I won't make but some of you might) are these:

a. ask for a 3/4" or 1" circular velcro "button" arrangement or some type of plastic snap to be where the bottom of your arm is, 3" between the elbow and the wrist to keep the "arms" more covered against the rain.

b. skip the inside chest pockets, I won't be using mine and although the weight is almost nothing, why bother with it. You might want them though. Item a. above is the most desired feature.

Matt, I went to hear Claire Porter, who works there, speak about her PCT trip this summer and she was envious of the Parcho. It was late and so nobody else noticed the Parcho. It was late Monday night.