I came across this one the other day and ordered one to check it out. It *is* thin and won't take weeks of abuse, but I thought it might work out for those who want to use a windshirt and the lightest possible rain gear. It measures 44"x78" and weighs 2.8oz on my scales. You can find them online for a few dollars, but the shipping runs as much or more, so coupling it with another order or multiples would be a better buy. I went for the green one (comes in white too).

It is too small for over-the pack wear--- too bad they don't make it in a backpacker's cut. It could be used as a makeshift ground sheet, but it is too small for a shelter. It could be used in the same way as a space blanket, to waterproof an emergency shelter, or just a night huddled under a tree. In backpacking mode, I would wrap it around and wear the pack on top. I should have ordered two-- it would be easy to cut one up and glue it to the other for a longer back half to cover a pack.


http://www.froggtoggs.com/?outerwear/driducks/DDPE1

Edited by dwambaugh on 05/04/2011 14:59:00 MDT.

Oh Snap, poor-man's cloud cape. I'm diggin this big time.

Edited by Konrad1013 on 05/04/2011 15:07:51 MDT.

Pretty sweet... could be nice for a weekend speed hike. In the image you posted it looks like I can see a person wearing red shorts and a white t thru the poncho, but there is no face! Creepy!

I just ordered three more from www.midwesthuntersoutlet.com I'm going to try cutting a section from one and adding to the tail for a more traditional backpacker's style poncho.


Update: do not order from www.midwesthuntersoutlet.com! After a week of waiting I found they were on backorder with no notification from the supplier. This sort of thing really ticks me and I have been on the vendor end of a web store too!

Edited by dwambaugh on 05/11/2011 10:45:05 MDT.

Is it basically the same material as the regular Frogg Toggs stuff? Just thinner?

Exactly-- it is a thinner version of the rain suit material--- non-woven polypropylene.
. It is pressed smooth on the outside with a waffle finish on the inside. A 1" hem is sewn all around the perimeter. The seams around the hood are welded.
It is light material and won't take a lot of abuse. It doesn't want to shred under tension, but I wouldn't want to go bushwacking with it.

If you want a light day hiking backup or want to rely more on a windshirt and still have some sort of fail-safe, this might do the trick. It is jumping off the fence and running all the way to Minimal City for rain gear.

I took Konrad's lead and looked at the Cloud Cape. Yup, it is that, indeed. You could outline a smock design and sew it or maybe glue it with Seam Grip and cut off the excess. I'll have to try that with a spare. Sounds like a 15 minute project.

Update: I ran that option using clothespins. I think just gluing the existing side hems with seam grip and leaving arm holes would do the trick if you wanted to wear it under your pack.

Edited by dwambaugh on 05/04/2011 22:43:16 MDT.

In a related note: Anyone here have a good source for light-weight plastic snaps and the necessary hardware?

Dale thanks for bringing this poncho to mour attention; it's an interesting looking product which might work really well with a pair of dri-duck type pants converted to chaps to get a really breathable rain wear set at @ 5 oz. And very affordable too!

One added benefit or multi-use I've gotten from my home-made or home converted dri-duck chaps is adding 3 light grommets to the leg bottom; 2 on @ each side seam for attaching fishing cord to make it more like a gaiter and the other on the front to attach to the shoelace for the same reason. I use @ 80lb fishing line (whatever looks really sturdy) and metal crimps for the instep lines along with the smallest plastic mitten hooks and 1/32nd stretch cord and a hook for the toe and that whole rig weighs @ 1 gram for each side. So now my chaps are also really long but still pretty darn light gaiters.

Cola,

Everything you want can be found at this site.

http://www.kamsnaps.com/Pliers-for-Plastic-Snaps-c5/

Z.

I made a bivy out of it. There's a ton of threads here relating to that.

Joining it to a visqueen plastic sheet with electrical tape has worked fine in my field use. E-tape is pretty waterproof. In fact, almost every kind of tape was un-removable, watch out.
The one thing I worry about is overheating (black tape) and loosening the glue, but OK so far and I don't leave it sit out. It does add a tad bit o weight, but you can trim off some material to make up for it. Also, the glue has affected my goretex pants where I put it over a small hole, so it is not archival and may trash stuff eventually.

I use the bivy for summer packing in case the weather report is wrong, makes a beefy ground sheet in any case. Still get some condensation, but I left it pretty square so there are cold corners. I figured I could always trim them off later. In the snow, I use a pad underneath and one inside, still experimenting.

So far I have left the hood on for a vent or emergency poncho use, but took off the cord-locks.

Edited by Paul_Tree on 05/06/2011 17:47:50 MDT.

How bulky is it? can you fit it in a small minimalist day pack or will take a lot of room? Like, can you fit it in your pocket?

It's small-- very thin stuff. It rolls up to the size of a soda can with no effort. Of course it is smaller in factory packaging. It is a great candidate for a small hydration pack. I will post more photos when I get the new ones.

Thanks, sounds good.

Thanks, Dale. I ordered a couple to check out. Seems like a perfect great-weather-forecast shell replacement. I take DriDucks in the PNW summer as my never-use shell and thought that was as light as I'd get. This is half! Surely breathes a lot better as well.

THANK YOU Tom! I just couldn't seem to find that anywhere and your link is EXACTLY what I'm looking for.

Thanks!