Best Rain Poncho For Camping/Hiking – Reviews and Guide 2021

Benefits

Hikers use rain capes all the time, but it’s not clear why. Essentially, what’s the difference between a rain cape and a regular jacket? While rain jackets may seem more intuitive to you, rain ponchos have their own uses.

Firstly, rain capes are highly versatile. There’s only so many shapes and forms a jacket can take. But a cape can be manipulated in whatever way you want. Turn it into a tarp. Use it to cover your bag. Or better yet, use it like a hammock. The choices are endless.

The second reason is the storage capacity. Capes themselves can be stuffed in a compression sack without worries of creases. And they can feature many more pockets than rain jackets. This again adds to their versatility, and gives you a secondary storage option after your primary backpack.

Types of Rain Poncho

• PVC. PVC ponchos are known for their sheer stress bearing capacities and tough surface. But they’re not in the very least breathable.
• Polyester. Polyester is a good waterproof choice for a cape. It’s lightweight, but not all too breathable. Not only that, but it’s quicker to dry than nylon or its vinyl counterparts.
• PU-Coated Nylon. Almost all nylon capes have a PU coating on them. The reason being that nylon in and of itself is not very waterproof. The one benefit this fabric does have is its breathability, but the PU coating takes that away too.
• Cuban Fiber. Most common with backpackers, Cuban fiber is revered for its high strength and ultra-light weight. It’s used in many outdoor applications, but may cost you a lot.
• Polyethylene. Polyethylene is a relatively weaker polymer that is known for its chemical durability and UV resistance.
• Sil-Nylon. Sil-Nylon is a synthetic materials that is popular among hikers and campers. It’s known for its low weight and immense durability. It’s not breathable at all though, but it is quite waterproof.
• Sil-Poly. Sil-Poly is another synthetic fabric used in lightweight outdoor equipment. It’s known for its low water absorption index and high resistance to the sun’s UV rays.
• Breathable Laminates. Laminated fabrics are becoming more popular in the rainwear industry. They have a low production cost paired with high hydrophobia. They’re great for use in a rain poncho, but may be rarer to find.
• Paratex Dry. The main feature of this fabric is that it is able to allow internal moisture to evaporate. Which means it’s not only 100% waterproof but also 100% breathable.

Buying Guide

Storage, Size, and Weight

Firstly, look for the size that you want. Most capes come in a standard size that may slightly vary. Ponchos that are designed to work like tarps may be larger.

Weight is an important factor as you’ll likely be wearing the cape for hours. Look for ponchos that weight less than 10 to 11 pounds.

Also consider how you’re going to store it. Many capes come with their own stuff sack pocket or carry bag.

Water-Resistance

This is by far the most important consideration. Water-resistance of a cape can never be judged easily. And especially not without knowledge of fabric weights and the material. There are a number of materials, each with its own level of waterproofing.

Then there’s the PU coating and taping. A simple PU coating is sufficient for most purposes. But especially look for one on nylon ponchos. As for the taping, all good capes have strict taping covering their seams.

Zippers, Cords, and Pockets

While not an absolute necessity, zippers and cords help to adjust the cape. Cords can be found all around the poncho, around the sleeves, on the cuffs, and through the brim of the hood.

Look for a good amount of zippers, cords, and pockets that make your cape more versatile and economic.

Flexibility and Breathability

Flexibility usually isn’t a major deciding factor in rain capes. But if your poncho is the kind that goes over your backpack, you’ll want a bit of stretch.

Breathability is a whole other aspect. Capes in general are very breathable since they don’t sit flush against your body, unlike rain jackets. However, the fabric itself isn’t designed to allow air in, partly due to its weight and waterproofing.

Material

Choice of material is the most complicated and the most important buying factor to consider. There are a few key materials that ponchos are made from.

First we have our holy trinity of PVC, polyester, and nylon. PVC isn’t the strongest and capes made from this fabric don’t last long. Nylon ponchos, while not being very waterproof, are very breathable. Both of these are nullified by the additional PU coating on most nylon capes.

Polyester is your best bet. It’s lightweight, durable, and gets the job done. It’s not very breathable, but neither are the other three.

Then we have Cuban fiber, which is the lightest rain poncho fabric. It’s known for its immense durability in the face of wind and rain.

Paratex Dry, Dyneema, and Sil-Nylon are all special fabrics that have been engineered to do everything the other fabrics cant. They are considered to be more lightweight and more breathable. And Paratex Dry in specific is good for letting sweat evaporate.

Rain Capes that Convert to Shelters

Hikers and campers alike are always in pursuit of versatility. So the general reaction when they hear of cape-shelter combos is mostly positive.

Many newer capes now have the ability to convert into a full-fledged tarp. Most can house up to two residents. And they even have internal pockets for storing your goods.

Rain Ponchos vs. Rain Jackets

Ponchos are lighter than rain jackets and don’t stick to your body too closely. This means that you won’t feel wet or uncomfortable, and your range of motion is not limited.

They also have the benefit of being highly versatile, as many can double as tarps and hammocks. And to add to that, a lot of capes have way more capacity than their jacket counterparts.

Q&A