[andy]

serving as a raft, tent, basis for ghillie suit (with hammock attached over it) and so on. You have to tie it down, while walking in wet brush, or your legs will still get soaked, but there's little REASON to move much, in such conditions, really. Wrap one parka around your backpack, and it will not only stay dry, but it will FLOAT, too. You can push it ahead of you while you swim, ya see. The pull string for the hood, can be used to "tie off" the hood area, for when you need a "non-leak" stretch of material. U CAN'T AFFORD to waste the wt and bulk of items that are single-use, in a BOB bag, like sleeping bags, tents, rain-gear, etc.

 

[Garand]

In the late '60's/ early '70's, most civilized armies in the world did away and started issueing proper wet weather gear and groundsheets. They are far more efficient. Waste of time, yep at night when the temperature hits +3F, and your just wrapped in your ponch and nothing else, you might get smart enough to re-evaluate. But I doubt it. Constant expose to the elements does nothing but weaken your chances of survival. But then gunkid has never spent a night in the bush!

 

[Half elf]

Although I do not agree with the tard often, I am a big fan of the poncho. I feel it was one of the only things that performed as advertised. I carry 2 ponchos and a liner in my BOB, and when in uniforn they are strapped to my buttpack on top and 550 corded to the "H" pattern suspenders. I also rely on the fact that the US military supplkies most of my needs in the field and the ponchos are for patrol/E&E as required. I would not advocate ponchos as the only shelter to anyone who really wants to survive, unless its a FL or similar southern winter You are withstanding.

 

[Garand]

Ponchos restrict your freedom of movement in potentially hostile situations. That restriction, could prevent you from getting to another mag, your knife, getting wrapped up if you ever found yourself on a one to one situation, it could cost you your life. Rain jackets also provide additional upper body warmth during windy periods generally there are ties on the bottom, on cuffs and at the neck. I never said ponchos are useless, they still make fine groundsheets. I still use a poncho to cover up my kit at matches when it rains.

 

[DJetAce]

I think those who advocate ponchos never went through a real storm trying to stay 'dry', as gunboob says you can. Gillie suit? Stup*kid you know how HOT a poncho would be in the summer? Do you notice the Marines don't use ponchoes to make their Gillie suits?

Don't have a clue, do you stup*kid?

 

[mrostov]

I carry a poncho and a OD plastic tarp with a space blanket side to it.

The poncho is not something I would want to fight in. It is a good piece of survival gear for this area.

Here, we can go for 100+ day without rain, but when it rains, it comes fast and it's like a tropical cloudburst.

The poncho is OK temporary rain cover and it makes an OK top blanket when you are wrapped up in a poncho liner. It's also OK for draping over yourself in your sleeping bag, and your pack as extra moisture protection, though I prefer the tarp for that.

The plastic tarp is OK, but a heavy canvas tarp is better.

Two ponchos as a pup tent SUCK as a cold weather shelter for many reasons. You also have to take care of that poncho or it will develop holes in short order and not be so waterproof.

It's hard to beat a real tent. In warmer climates and seasons, a tent with a floor is great in that it keeps out the bugs. In a colder climate, having a fire or wood stove in a tent can be nifty so a floor may not be what you want.

 

[Terry G]

All this talk about ponchos reminds me of basic training. Our instructor was going over the various pieces of equipment and started going on and on about the poncho. It can make a raft, a tent, a bandage, etc. The only thing it won't do is keep you dry in the rain.

 

[Garand]

The ultimate in comfort;

http://www.military.com/soldiertech/0,14632,Soldiertech_Tents,,00.html?ESRC=soldiertech.nl

 

[Dorobuta]

If you're going to use a poncho, you have to have a woobie . Greatest invention ever.