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Re: Poncho

Posted: 29 May 2014, 11:28am
by FatPunkOnBike
I got a relatively lightweight one from Mean and Green for about £20 and have used it as a poncho, groundsheet and porch while camping. I can recommend it!

Re: Poncho

Posted: 29 May 2014, 4:42pm
by Ambler

Re: Poncho

Posted: 30 May 2014, 9:44am
by Sweep
yes :)

I have a few Rohan things - nice stuff but ....

One of the nice things about getting older is that you don't care so much what you look like (it's cool) and a poncho is hardly a fashion item.

Good honest labelling - "unisex" :)

I suppose if Rohan do them though it does show that they are very practical and pretty much a must have - definitely better to chuck on quickly in camp in a downpour than trying to struggle through the arms of a more conventional top.

Will do more investigation and report back - poncho here we come :)

thanks for the link ambler

Re: Poncho

Posted: 30 May 2014, 10:17am
by Psamathe
Sweep wrote:I have a few Rohan things - nice stuff but ....

Off topic, but the difficulty I have with Rohan is they are tending to do ever increasing styles starting at waist 32" and larger (trousers). And as I am a 30" I've found myself limited to styles I don't like (and thus wont buy).

Ian

Re: Poncho

Posted: 30 May 2014, 10:18am
by al_yrpal
Got mine in Costa Rica which is prone to sudden downpours. The whole party had to go to a builders merchant and buy them and gumboots. Very wet holiday. I like, a poncho because they cover you and dont restrict movement. They are very versatile too, useful for sitting on wet ground. Mine is just a big square of soft plastic which is folded in half with poppers to join the loose edges. There is a head hole in the middle of the long folded edge, mine has a hood attached at that point. You could easily make your own from one of those cheap blue builder groundsheets without the poppers or the hood.

Al

Re: Poncho

Posted: 30 May 2014, 10:30am
by iandriver
I've had a genuine ex US army one for years. Has done me proud out in the wildes sheltering me, all my bird watching kit and a Springer Spaniel from summer showers (the springer was always wet and loved swimming, but hated rain!). It is very practical but no lightweight. I think a proper cycling cape would be more use on and off the bike when out on two wheels. The poncho splitting at the sides to form a shelter is a mixed blessing when cycling along. Although I don't advocate people on bikes having to wear hi vis, I also don't think camouflage is a good idea :oops:

Re: Poncho

Posted: 30 May 2014, 10:40am
by Sweep
Thanks for the DIY tip al but I wasn't planning on going quite that down-market.
I wasn't planning to wear the poncho when riding the bike ian.
I think I'll look for something ultra tough but lightweight.

Re: Poncho

Posted: 3 Jun 2014, 6:47pm
by Sweep
I popped over to Silvermans at the weekend.

I must admit that I was a bit disappointed by the place as although you get the feeling as you enter the door that you are about to enter an Alladin's cave a la the old wonder of Laurence Corner, and there's a royal crest above the door (so this is where The Queen gets her ponchos?) it turns out to be a smallish room with a counter and you can't get close to most of the stuff. Have the feeling that they specialise in online. They gave me a catalogue.

So I could only check out close up one poncho - NATO I was told - just under £30.

Have also checked out the small (but well stocked - it's a bit of a struggle to get through the door) army surplus place on the Cut, Waterloo.

He reckons he's getting some US army ones (as linked to above) in the next few days at £20.

Sounds reasonable so I'll maybe pop back there.

Re: Poncho

Posted: 23 Sep 2014, 10:14am
by Sweep
Update (yes I don't rush into things :)

Am currently thinking of getting one of these - Dutch army.

http://www.militarymart.co.uk/index.php ... uct_id=509

Saw one in a shop but it was damaged so unfortunately had to pass on it.

I don't think it is as super light as the one which was shown to me by its super keen fan but it's not too heavy - definitely way lighter than the British army thing I came across which seemed as if it would stop bullets.

If anyone has an particular views on this Dutch army thingie, feel free to post impressions.

Re: Poncho

Posted: 23 Sep 2014, 2:50pm
by psling
I have a http://www.twhammocks.co.uk/Tarpaulins/Poncho-Tarpaulin/Green-Ultralight-Poncho-Tarp. Lightweight and not too expensive. I've used it as a tarp with 2 short poles a number of nights. It's useful as an emergency waterproof sitting around camp and gives a degree of privacy if needed for changing kit under or even taking a discreet poop :wink:

Re: Poncho

Posted: 23 Sep 2014, 5:57pm
by al_yrpal
Won't this make you invisible? :shock:

Al

Re: Poncho

Posted: 23 Sep 2014, 6:26pm
by Sweep
I don't think so - I was planning on wearing it as evening wear. :)

On my cycling trips you worried I might get shot by mistake?

All army stuff tends to be stealth coloured al - I think that's the general idea.

Re: Poncho

Posted: 23 Sep 2014, 9:16pm
by Psamathe
I got a proper ex-military one. Great, strong, use as emergency tarp, but very heavy. Mine was plain green, not camouflage.

Ian

Re: Poncho

Posted: 24 Sep 2014, 3:38pm
by theDaveB
I use this one -

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/forclaz-100- ... 84715.html

Although it says entry level, I was in a massive downpour and it kept me dry on my bike.

Dave

Re: Poncho

Posted: 25 Sep 2014, 1:27pm
by Ottocat
There is a little Army surplus shop near Warterloo Station, go past the Old Vic and Down the Cut, it's past Evans Cycles on the same side olmost oposite the Young Vic