Anyone have experience with a Campmor poncho?

[Meredith1]

In my on-going & hopefully not futile quest for a poncho that I can afford, rely on, and be sure of receiving before I start walking, I came across Campmor ponchos online. I've searched the forum and found a couple of comments from several years ago from someone who was planning on getting one but nothing about its performance. Can anyone offer advice from experience? Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I don't think you will like the pullover design. It takes a second person to arrange it around the pack. It is slow to get into, and not much faster to get out of. That is bad in stop and go rain. It does not drape over your pack, so you need to stow it each time you take it off.

 

[Meredith1]

I don't think you will like the pullover design. It takes a second person to arrange it around the pack. It is slow to get into, and not much faster to get out of. That is bad in stop and go rain. It does not drape over your pack, so you need to stow it each time you take it off.

Thanks.

 

[Kitsambler]

I don't think you will like the pullover design. It takes a second person to arrange it around the pack. It is slow to get into, and not much faster to get out of. That is bad in stop and go rain. It does not drape over your pack, so you need to stow it each time you take it off.

Although I have the Sea-to-Summit poncho, rather than the Campmor, they have the same design. Everything Falcon says is true, although with some minor gymnastics and a few pokes with a pole, it only takes one person to put it on. However, it is lighter weight than carrying a rain jacket and rain pants, or an Altus. It was quite appropriate equipment for walking in France in September, where there were only two rainy afternoons the entire month. I wished for more robust protection while walking in Czech Republic and Germany in May, when there were more and rainier days.

 

[cmkudija]

[/quote]Although I have the Sea-to-Summit poncho, rather than the Campmor, they have the same design. Everything Falcon says is true, although with some minor gymnastics and a few pokes with a pole, it only takes one person to put it on. However, it is lighter weight than carrying a rain jacket and rain pants, or an Altus....I wished for more robust protection while walking in Czech Republic and Germany in May, when there were more and rainier days.[/quote]

I have the Campmor silnylon poncho, which worked fine in the rain on a short 5-day trip on the Appalachian Trail in October 2009. I agree with Kitsambler - except that there's a new Altus model that's substantially lighter. I ordered it from Barrabes on-line on a Monday, and received it maybe three days later in California. (They make you pay 50 euros for that, but...) The overall great reviews of the Altus design sold me on the purchase, not to mention the high likelihood of rain on our Camino this September-October. I also purchased eVent rain mitts from Mountain Laurel Designs, a cottage industry in the U.S.. We'll see - I like minimalist gear, and it's too easy to load up the protection.

 

[Meredith1]

The overall great reviews of the Altus design sold me on the purchase, not to mention the high likelihood of rain on our Camino this September-October.

Thanks for your response. Now about that high likelihood of rain in Sept/Oct: I'd thought that Sept. tended to be drier! :shock: I guess climate change throws everything off. I'm going from Sept 3 - Oct 3--hope I get my poncho situation solved in good time.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Nine days of rain in September 2011, 8 days in 2010, and 6 days in 2009 in Santiago.

 

[annakappa]

Nine days of rain in September 2011, 8 days in 2010, and 6 days in 2009 in Santiago.

Well I don't know where the rain rained those 9 days in Sept 2011, but we started walking from Roncesvalles on 7th Sept 2011 right through to Santiago and didn't see one drop of rain. We brought our trusty umbrella along and used it against the sun, as the temperature was unseasonably hot, often in the 30's. Anne

 

[Meredith1]

Nine days of rain in September 2011, 8 days in 2010, and 6 days in 2009 in Santiago.

Well I don't know where the rain rained those 9 days in Sept 2011, but we started walking from Roncesvalles on 7th Sept 2011 right through to Santiago and didn't see one drop of rain. We brought our trusty umbrella along and used it against the sun, as the temperature was unseasonably hot, often in the 30's. Anne

I believe I have solved the rain problem for September 2012: I have just ordered a poncho, so I feel certain it will not rain during my Camino.