Looking for a poncho - Lafuma Niagara Full Zip or Half Zip or similar .

[Bales]

Are they easy to find and purchase in Irun, San Sebastian - on the trail etc - or should I purchase online before starting Camino start of Sept - any feedback welcome

 

[intrepidtraveler]

When I walked the Norte in 2017, it quickly became clear that my rain gear of choice was not equal to the task. I went in search of a poncho and finally found one that was much heavier than I would have liked but at least it kept me dry. Finding one was not as easy as I thought it might be since I was in an area that gets a lot of rain. My input would be to get one online before leaving. Why spend valuable Camino time casting about looking for rain gear? Especially since it looks like you have a certain brand/style in mind.

 

[Davey Boyd]

Get one before you go and try it out in bad weather, if you can windy weather. Poncho's aren't everyone's cup of tea. Cheap ones are hell in windy weather and will rip/fall to bits. I traded my gortex jacket (too sweaty) for a good poncho on my first camino and been a happy pilgrim since. I don't know about Lafuma ponchos, but I swear by my trusty Ferrino poncho, though Altus are as good, and many prefer the Altus. Just make sure you get a good one!

I use a hiking brolly with full zip Ferrino, then my poncho is never needed to be zipped completely up reducing condensation. Also no need for a hat. And a hands free hiking brolly is also great under a Spanish sun.

EDIT: Though I must add, with a knee length bright red pocho covering a 70 Litre pack, A hands free brolly over the top, and my lilly white English legs sticking out underneath I do scare the locals somewhat! And I wonder why I am single? Lol!

Davey

 

[Bales]

Thanks for feedback - problem I have is I am 5 ft / tiny so dont want to purchase something online in case( as is the norm )- the item has cost an arm and a leg in currency exchange plus freight / is too big for me / so long it will be dragging on the ground- ( talk about frighten the locals ) - living in Australia we have a very limited range of Ponchos - std poncho is lightweight plastic (throwaway type) / I picked that brand because a friend brought her poncho on her last Camino in Spain and swears by it

 

[Jan_D]

I got a great poncho from Decathlon last year. They have a store in Irun, but it's far away from the camino trail, so your best bet is going to "Decathlon City" in San Sebastian. Here's an example of Decathlon's stock - the "City" stores are smaller, but they usually stock the basics. I ended up getting the red one for €14.99, as it was nice and long and covered my backpack very well.

p.s. if you have your heart set on a particular poncho, Decathlon has a free "click and collect" service. Here's the info in English (for UK Decathlon), but it's the same information in Spanish - you just need to select "Clica y Recoge" at checkout, and choose the store. Make sure you order at least 3 days in advance, so it's there when you arrive (they will keep it for 14 days).