 Hello,
I do a bit of trekking in the Pyrenees. I usually take a lightweight goretex or equivalent. I rarely use it though and when I do I rapidly roast (it's mostly pretty warm when it rains). So, what I could really do with is some kind of poncho/cape thing that goes over me and my rucksack. Not too heavy, but robust enough not to rip easily. And waterproof obviously. I found this: http://www.trekmates.co.uk/971/Trekmates-PAK-Poncho-.html
Does anyone have any experience of it?
I am *not* talking about winter mountaineeering in the Cairngorms here, but the cape weighs 300g - pretty much the same as a lightweight jacket.
Hmmm....and it's cheap!
Will
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 ahhh the poncho, the item that has a 1000 uses buts useless at all of them
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 If you don't try one you'll always be curious  .
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Useless? Really?
Surely in the typical heavy thunderstorm type conditions it would be ideal?
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 I wouldn't take much notice of Lees opinion. He has slated everything since he joined the forum 5 minutes ago.* *Unless it involves catapults or bushcraft.
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 Ponchos worked alright for all those native South Americans.....
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If i was hiking in a non-windy area, that was mostly dry, i would use a poncho/tarp. Shelter and rain protection in one. 
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Poncho with style, probably not that lightweight though.....
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.JPG) for just strolling/dogwalking, the trekmates pak poncho Will C refers too(OP) looks OK- though reckon a cap would be needed cos of the basic hood. Exeter TKMaxx had a few a fortnight ago when I was there.
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Golite Poncho Tarp. I looked for ages for the green version last year (only seemed to be blue about) now the new version is 25% lighter but £20 more  I bought this Italian Poncho Tarp - 360g instead for the odd summer bivi when I wouldn't bother with a waterproof - well made and the lightest 'army' poncho out there
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 i've used a poncho and i think they're great. out in a storm that dumped at least 1" in half an hour in menorca. kept me dry - as dry as you can be in that kind of rain - albeit a bit sweaty but nowhere near as sweaty as a jacket and it kept my pack dry. and it was 30C at the time too.
i've used it in rain in the uk once and i hope it will become my summer "waterproof" - an added bonus of rigging it up for stops if needs be too.
flappy? only if you're daft enough to let it be flappy. a bit of attractive fashion conscious string round the waist sorts that out.
i have a golite one, last year's model and a lot cheaper than this year's.
it's a doddle to put on (some find it difficult. perhaps they have trouble with socks too) take off put your arms in out and general hokey cokey stuff.
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Ponchos were the only waterproof kit I was issued with during most of my service career. They were heavy but they worked, and made great bashas (or as they say these days, tarps) to sleep under too. I tried a lightweight version for walking many years ago but found it useless. Rohan have recently started selling breathable ones intended for tropical wear, would be interested to hear if anybody has tried one.
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the rohan one looks nice but is expensive. it also has a very interesting chest pocket perfectly placed to fill with water.
breathable? quite. just luck what the thing is made from. two bloody great side slits in it make it breathable.
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 I've got one; bought it for a US trip where rain, if any would be a brief thunderstorm. And it is very light, 109g - used it as couple of times in the UK on summer overnights.
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The Decathlon stores seem to have quite a range of ponchos and capes designed for walkers carrying a pack. www.decathlon.co.uk and look in the hiking textile section.
They are like bidets, more one of yer foreign things.
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you won't look silly. you'll look like a sensible tourist who doesn't suffer from the standard british (english if in scotland)reserve and angst about such matters. in europe you can be the odd one out not wearing one.
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