Rain Poncho question.

[Richo]

Hello all. I'm planning to start out from Le Puy in mid September 2014 and take a relatively leisurely 5 or six weeks to get to SJPP. I've been researching the question of rain gear on this forum and am having no little difficulty in coming to a conclusion about which options would be best for this route, at this time of the year. Currently I'm leaning towards a poncho and rain pants. I'm not sure about gaiters. Any suggestions from seasoned Le Puy walkers warmly welcomed. Also do any Aussies know where to buy the various brands of poncho that are mentioned on the forum?

thanks!
Richard.

 

[Houlet]

I bought a cheap poncho for my Camino Frances this month.

I managed to put my finger through it taking it out of the bag, my hand through it putting it on, then lost part of of on the first bush.

I carried it as far as the first bin.

 

[backpack45]

We have actually hiked more in France than in Spain--sometimes Spring, sometimes Fall. (We have hiked the entire way from Geneva to Santiago over several years.) Much less likely to have rain in the Fall. I recommend the rain pants and the Packa (ponchos fly around in the wind and let rain in the uncovered spots.)--you can find the packa online. I see no need for gaitors, but then we are part of the trail runners contingent and believe that lightweight and quick-drying shoes are the best. This is even though we have often found ourselves wading through mud on various Caminos (but once again, usually during Springtime hikes). Trail runners dry quickly. backpack45@yahoo.com if you want more opinions of the LePuy route. (photo: just another rainy day on east of LePuy in late May 2013.)

 

[rhmocha]

Hello Richard! My husband and I are also walking from Le Puy to SJPDP in Sep/Oct, and will be taking our nylon ponchos. We used them last year in Italy (same time of year) and found them to be really effective in keeping our packs dry. They are quite long, so we just wore shorts underneath and no gaiters. On the Camino Frances in Sep/Oct 2012 we wore raincoats, and besides being awkward to take on and off in intermittent rain, they did not protect our backpack straps, which became so wet that they took days to dry out.
We purchased our ponchos here in Canada, and the brand is Sea to Summit Tarp Poncho. We researched the Altus poncho which I believe is made in Spain, but it was not available online at the time. It looks like a great design though, and is very popular.
It will be interesting to hear from people who have done this route in the fall. We did not have much rain on the Camino Frances until we reached Galicia, so perhaps we'll be lucky in France!

 

[MarciaWhitney]

Hello all. I'm planning to start out from Le Puy in mid September 2014 and take a relatively leisurely 5 or six weeks to get to SJPP. I've been researching the question of rain gear on this forum and am having no little difficulty in coming to a conclusion about which options would be best for this route, at this time of the year. Currently I'm leaning towards a poncho and rain pants. I'm not sure about gaiters. Any suggestions from seasoned Le Puy walkers warmly welcomed. Also do any Aussies know where to buy the various brands of poncho that are mentioned on the forum?

thanks!
Richard.

Hello all. I'm planning to start out from Le Puy in mid September 2014 and take a relatively leisurely 5 or six weeks to get to SJPP. I've been researching the question of rain gear on this forum and am having no little difficulty in coming to a conclusion about which options would be best for this route, at this time of the year. Currently I'm leaning towards a poncho and rain pants. I'm not sure about gaiters. Any suggestions from seasoned Le Puy walkers warmly welcomed. Also do any Aussies know where to buy the various brands of poncho that are mentioned on the forum?

thanks!
Richard.

 

[MarciaWhitney]

Twelve years ago, I took rain pants. i sweated inside them, and they were difficult to get on during the day. I'm happy with my current arrangement: a sturdy poncho that reaches to my knees and gaiters which keep my pants clean. Marcia, currently in Ponferrada.
P.S. Two days ago, it was tough going up to La Cruz de Ferro (Irago). It snowed with winds about 20 miles per hour. For the record, that was May 22nd.

 

[Jenyat53]

Hi Richard, I have not walked Le Puy but am almost back in Oz after the Frances. I have two Ferrino Trekker ponchos size s/m (as my daughter walked part way with me), which I ordered on line from the Spanish store Peregrinoteca(?). I would be happy to lend (or sell) you one if that was any help. I'm 172cm, 65 kg & I have room for two of me inside. They became popular for some pilgrims after the Altus poncho changed models.
I found mine to be very good even in quite heavy rain. As it comes to well below my knees I did not use rain pants. PM me if you would like any further information. Cheers Jen

 

[scruffy1]

Rain pants and ponchos are good maybe if you are walking in a typhon, usually however since they seal out moisture falling from above they also seal moisture in and and do not allow your sweat to evaporate leaving you as wet as if you had not pulled it out from your backpack and put it on. Take a light one if you must but don't pull it out every time there is a shower, a sprinkle a heavy mist save it for the big one. The Le Puy route has many changes in altitude in the first weeks, the French Confraternity wants you to check out the cardiovascular system every morning with a good stiff climb nothing hysteric but uphill-in the evening its time to check your respiratory system with a good slippery downhill slip/slide. Rain means mud and there is plenty along the way, more then enough for everyone so I would recommend gaiters which will keep the worst of it out of your boots and off your pants - if its dry, then stones and thorns (beware of the wily blackberry bushes), thistles and gravel will stay where they are supposed to be, on the ground, and not in your boots or stuck in your leg. Bon Camino

 

[Richo]

Rain pants and ponchos are good maybe if you are walking in a typhon, usually however since they seal out moisture falling from above they also seal moisture in and and do not allow your sweat to evaporate leaving you as wet as if you had not pulled it out from your backpack and put it on. Take a light one if you must but don't pull it out every time there is a shower, a sprinkle a heavy mist save it for the big one. The Le Puy route has many changes in altitude in the first weeks, the French Confraternity wants you to check out the cardiovascular system every morning with a good stiff climb nothing hysteric but uphill-in the evening its time to check your respiratory system with a good slippery downhill slip/slide. Rain means mud and there is plenty along the way, more then enough for everyone so I would recommend gaiters which will keep the worst of it out of your boots and off your pants - if its dry, then stones and thorns (beware of the wily blackberry bushes), thistles and gravel will stay where they are supposed to be, on the ground, and not in your boots or stuck in your leg. Bon Camino

Hi scruffy, thanks for the info. Which gaiters did you choose and why?

 

[Richo]

Twelve years ago, I took rain pants. i sweated inside them, and they were difficult to get on during the day. I'm happy with my current arrangement: a sturdy poncho that reaches to my knees and gaiters which keep my pants clean. Marcia, currently in Ponferrada.
P.S. Two days ago, it was tough going up to La Cruz de Ferro (Irago). It snowed with winds about 20 miles per hour. For the record, that was May 22nd.

Yikes, Marcia. The weather is predictably unpredictable it seems!

 

[Metropolly]

When I was on the Le Puy route in the rain (both April and September) everyone just used ponchos. September can be very warm, therefore even a Goretex rain jacket is too sweaty. A poncho slips on and off very easily, and will keep the worst of the rain off the important bits (your core and your backpack). Wet feet you can get used to (though I respect some people's need to keep every drop of moisture off their toes). Waterproof trousers are annoying and unnecessary, in my experience

 

[Kanga]

Richo, after 7 Caminos, including Le Puy twice, I'm still looking for the perfect rain gear.

For the Le Puy I'm also in the poncho brigade because of the strenuous nature at the beginning, the need for ventilation, and because it covers the pack as well (more reliable protection than a pack cover).

However, the weather will be getting quite cold towards the end of your trip. I found I had to go and buy a jacket one year by the time we reached Moissac (left Le Puy mid September). My poncho was the square type with studs on the sides because that was all I could find in Australia. When it was windy, cold and wet it was not enough. Water came in through the openings, wind blew it around (even when cinched at the waist with my twisted elastic clothes line!)

I think if I'd had an Altus type poncho/raincoat I could have done without the jacket, provided I had long sleeved merino underneath. The Altus is available online from Caminoteca (€44) and I don't think the freight to Australia is too much - the total cost is less than the Sea-to-Summit Ultrasil which is probably the best of those available here.

The downside of the Altus is that the sleeves can become a sauna.

There is also the Ferrino Trekker available through Amazon US - don't know anything about them but gather it is similar to the Altus.

The Packa also looks really good - that you would have to order from the US.

http://www.thepacka.com

You might need rain pants to go with it - or a rain kilt which won't sweat as much as rain pants. It looks very cool!

The alternative to getting one in Australia is to wait until you are in France - not sure what sports shops are in Le Puy (forum members will know) but the French are well equipped for walking and they probably have more suitable options for the conditions than here. Australian trekking shops are geared towards bush walking where hardy equipment is necessary. Most ponchos would get ripped to pieces by our scrubby vegetation. On the Le Puy there are lots of ups and downs but the land and vegetation is soft.

 

[scruffy1]

Hi Richo

I live in a desert country and have worn gaiters here for years- a good defense against thorns stones snakes scorpions and other creepy crawlers so they are the knee high sized ones. I have walked the Camino several times and started taking them to Spain only the last three times-knee high are overkill-but half sized ones reaching well up the shin are good enough-the really smaller ones are not effective but will give you a real adventurous appearance-don't bother.

 

[michryan]

Like Kanga has said I have an Altus poncho I bought in Santiago 3 years ago. I have never looked back since the best ever. It opens as a jacket but acts like a poncho. Has great ventilation and keeps not only you but your pack dry as it is made to fit a pack. I have used it a lot since especially walking the coast 2 coast in the UK where it rained every day and I stayed dry and unlike regular ponchos doesn't fly in the wind. Comes right down low so you are real snug. Love love it and would recommend it to anyone.

 

[anniethenurse]

Like Kanga has said I have an Altus poncho I bought in Santiago 3 years ago. I have never looked back since the best ever. It opens as a jacket but acts like a poncho. Has great ventilation and keeps not only you but your pack dry as it is made to fit a pack. I have used it a lot since especially walking the coast 2 coast in the UK where it rained every day and I stayed dry and unlike regular ponchos doesn't fly in the wind. Comes right down low so you are real snug. Love love it and would recommend it to anyone.

A rain coat poncho like Altus or Ferrino (with arms and ¨opens like a jacket but acts like a poncho¨ as said above) and it works best for me with gaiters. In heavy rain or snow with windproof trousers (thin ones for outdoor running) during the months I have been walking ( April- May- August-September). Wearing thin layers under it works in temperatures from freezing cold to hot.

 

[LesBrass]

I've yet to try mine out... although we've had a lot of rain in the last few days so maybe I'll get some use this coming week! I bought a poncho after reading through all the pros and cons on here... I bought this one

http://www.vaude.com/en-GB/Products/Clothing/Jackets/Hiking-Backpack-Poncho-red.html

It's huge but I guess once I'm in full gear and I have my pack it will be ok... I was thinking of packing a very lightweight jacket as well but I want to keep things to the barest minimum so I think I'll stick with just this... for now!

 

[Richo]

Richo, after 7 Caminos, including Le Puy twice, I'm still looking for the perfect rain gear.

For the Le Puy I'm also in the poncho brigade because of the strenuous nature at the beginning, the need for ventilation, and because it covers the pack as well (more reliable protection than a pack cover).

However, the weather will be getting quite cold towards the end of your trip. I found I had to go and buy a jacket one year by the time we reached Moissac (left Le Puy mid September). My poncho was the square type with studs on the sides because that was all I could find in Australia. When it was windy, cold and wet it was not enough. Water came in through the openings, wind blew it around (even when cinched at the waist with my twisted elastic clothes line!)

I think if I'd had an Altus type poncho/raincoat I could have done without the jacket, provided I had long sleeved merino underneath. The Altus is available online from Caminoteca (€44) and I don't think the freight to Australia is too much - the total cost is less than the Sea-to-Summit Ultrasil which is probably the best of those available here.

The downside of the Altus is that the sleeves can become a sauna.

There is also the Ferrino Trekker available through Amazon US - don't know anything about them but gather it is similar to the Altus.

The Packa also looks really good - that you would have to order from the US.

http://www.thepacka.com

You might need rain pants to go with it - or a rain kilt which won't sweat as much as rain pants. It looks very cool!

The alternative to getting one in Australia is to wait until you are in France - not sure what sports shops are in Le Puy (forum members will know) but the French are well equipped for walking and they probably have more suitable options for the conditions than here. Australian trekking shops are geared towards bush walking where hardy equipment is necessary. Most ponchos would get ripped to pieces by our scrubby vegetation. On the Le Puy there are lots of ups and downs but the land and vegetation is soft.

Thanks Kanga for the very thoughtful and informative post. This is my first camino and I'm looking forward to it tremendously. I think I'll go with either the Packa, although it looks a bit short, probably knee length, or the Ferrino, although it looks a bit voluminous and I suspect it would flap somewhat in the breeze. Maybe gaiters instead of rain pants? Yes, I was wondering how cold it would get towards SJPP by the end of October. I bought a lightweight fleece from the local Kathmandu factory outlet. It is quite thin and light, and snug, but the assistant informed me that it is made of some special material which is very warm for its weight (it should be for the hefty price tag - originally $110 reduced to $50 as last years stock!) I guess, like you, I can always buy a jacket if required. I have no idea about the rain kild

 

[Kanga]

Here's a picture of a rain kilt made out of Cuban fibre fabric - it's got a zip down the back

 

[Kanga]

! I bought a poncho after reading through all the pros and cons on here... I bought this one

http://www.vaude.com/en-GB/Products/Clothing/Jackets/Hiking-Backpack-Poncho-red.html

It's huge but I guess once I'm in full gear and I have my pack it will be ok...

I like the look of it. Does it have pit zips?

 

[LesBrass]

I like the look of it. Does it have pit zips?

hi Kanga - just got it out and no, no zips. It's kind of a batwing rather than a sleeve. I have to say, trying it on again, I think it's too big? There is a choice of s/m or l/xl - I thought I'm never a small so I should go with the larger size... i think you could get two of us in there... but I have it now! I'll walk with it and see what it's like - I'm 5'10'' and it's lovely and long... so that's good

 

[gittiharre]

Hello all. I'min septemberplanning to start out from Le Puy in mid September 2014 and take a relatively leisurely 5 or six weeks to get to SJPP. I've been researching the question of rain gear on this forum and am having no little difficulty in coming to a conclusion about which options would be best for this route, at this time of the year. Currently I'm leaning towards a poncho and rain pants. I'm not sure about gaiters. Any suggestions from seasoned Le Puy walkers warmly welcomed. Also do any Aussies know where to buy the various brands of poncho that are mentioned on the forum?

thanks!
Richard.

Hello Richard, I have walked the le puy route twice, once in september with a long gortex jacket and once in june with a lightweight Altus. Quickdrying shorts, no gaiters, boots.
I did not like the jacket, too hot and I hate the feeling of rain running down between pack and back. Inside of pack got wettoo.
the Altus light was good, it only weighs 250 or so grams. If the rain is lightyou can drape it over pack, leave arms out andfront openand if heavier you just slipthe arms in and close the front, the draping manoevre is also great while the poncho dries off.
I did not need long pants or gaiters even in extreme raIn, kind of like wet legs that dry naturally ....

 

[Richo]

Hello Richard, I have walked the le puy route twice, once in september with a long gortex jacket and once in june with a lightweight Altus. Quickdrying shorts, no gaiters, boots.
I did not like the jacket, too hot and I hate the feeling of rain running down between pack and back. Inside of pack got wettoo.
the Altus light was good, it only weighs 250 or so grams. If the rain is lightyou can drape it over pack, leave arms out andfront openand if heavier you just slipthe arms in and close the front, the draping manoevre is also great while the poncho dries off.
I did not need long pants or gaiters even in extreme raIn, kind of like wet legs that dry naturally ....

Tks Gittihare, doesn't the water run into your boots though?

R.

 

[gittiharre]

Tks Gittihare, doesn't the water run into your boots though?

R.

Not really, I use a pair of Nike Drysocks, they have quite a thick rim around tha ankle, so somehow the water stayed away from my feet. The Altus is quite long and hangs away from the body, so the dripline tends to be outside enough to stop lots of water running down your legs.

 

[paulstmalo]

We just had the ponchos you can find in any Decathlon in France, the ones with arms that retail for around 24€. No rain trousers but make sure you have boots with Gore-Tex in them. Will be necessary on the Aubrac plateau. Take a small piece of string with you too for using as a belt around the poncho on very windy days.

 

[Sr.Bigote]

I've yet to try mine out... although we've had a lot of rain in the last few days so maybe I'll get some use this coming week! I bought a poncho after reading through all the pros and cons on here... I bought this one

http://www.vaude.com/en-GB/Products/Clothing/Jackets/Hiking-Backpack-Poncho-red.html

It's huge but I guess once I'm in full gear and I have my pack it will be ok... I was thinking of packing a very lightweight jacket as well but I want to keep things to the barest minimum so I think I'll stick with just this... for now!

Have you now used the Vaude backpack poncho? I keep narrowing in on this product, but am looking for someone with real camino experience using it.

 

[Sr.Bigote]

I like the look of it. Does it have pit zips?

Curious for an update on the Vaude Backpacking Poncho . . . how have you like it? I am narrowing in on this product, and would love to hear from someone with real camino experience using it in rain and wind. Also, relative to the size, I am 6'1' (185 cm) . . . suggested size?

 

[Sr.Bigote]

I've yet to try mine out... although we've had a lot of rain in the last few days so maybe I'll get some use this coming week! I bought a poncho after reading through all the pros and cons on here... I bought this one

http://www.vaude.com/en-GB/Products/Clothing/Jackets/Hiking-Backpack-Poncho-red.html

It's huge but I guess once I'm in full gear and I have my pack it will be ok... I was thinking of packing a very lightweight jacket as well but I want to keep things to the barest minimum so I think I'll stick with just this... for now!

Can you provide an update on the Vaude Backpacking Poncho in service? Rain proof? Comfort? I am 6'1" (i.e. 185 cm) and am also wondering about size and fit. I would appreciate any update that you can provide.

 

[Kanga]

A question for @LesBrass - I think she has tried it.

 

[LesBrass]

Can you provide an update on the Vaude Backpacking Poncho in service? Rain proof? Comfort? I am 6'1" (i.e. 185 cm) and am also wondering about size and fit. I would appreciate any update that you can provide.

Hello... my new Vaude poncho arrived today and it's very different than the one I have from 2014.

I'm 176cm / 5'9" and the L/XL was huge... I was swamped by it. Also the rain got in through the arms, that were not wrist length and quite open. I ended up using hair bands around the sleeve to stop water running down my arms and getting me wet. BUT I have to say that I did stay dry in some really really dreadful weather, with day after day of heavy rain.

I was going to try a different system this time... but having read and researched and um-ed and ah-ed I decided that ultimately I stayed dry and perhaps the Vaude wasn't so bad after all?

I decided to buy another but in a S/M and having just tried it on it's a huge improvement. It's also lighter than the old by maybe 150gms? And it has poppers on the arms, which are also longer and more sleeve like. It was 60€ and all in all I'm happy I stuck with Vaude. I'll do a waterproof test in a day or two and post a few photos... at the end of the day, staying dry is my main concern. The fabric feels very different but the website says it's designed for downpours? So I'll report back in a few days.

hope this helps

 

[LesBrass]

p.s. here's a review of the poncho I posted recently https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/vaude-poncho-review.37764/

 

[Sr.Bigote]

Hello... my new Vaude poncho arrived today and it's very different than the one I have from 2014.

I'm 176cm / 5'9" and the L/XL was huge... I was swamped by it. Also the rain got in through the arms, that were not wrist length and quite open. I ended up using hair bands around the sleeve to stop water running down my arms and getting me wet. BUT I have to say that I did stay dry in some really really dreadful weather, with day after day of heavy rain.

I was going to try a different system this time... but having read and researched and um-ed and ah-ed I decided that ultimately I stayed dry and perhaps the Vaude wasn't so bad after all?

I decided to buy another but in a S/M and having just tried it on it's a huge improvement. It's also lighter than the old by maybe 150gms? And it has poppers on the arms, which are also longer and more sleeve like. It was 60€ and all in all I'm happy I stuck with Vaude. I'll do a waterproof test in a day or two and post a few photos... at the end of the day, staying dry is my main concern. The fabric feels very different but the website says it's designed for downpours? So I'll report back in a few days.

hope this helps

Tremendous! I look forward to the waterproof test. I am really leaning toward this model . . . so, I will wait to hear.

 

[BlackRocker57]

i am also very keen to read about the waterproof test and any other reviews of ponchos ... i am keen to buy one for my trek in May from Moissac ... my concern is the size ... i am quite short [157cm] and small build, so interested to know what the sizing/s is like for both Altus and Vaude ... do they have an extra-small?

 

[LesBrass]

Hello again.... @Sr.Bigote I updated my earlier review of the Vaude after a bit of a shower test this morning. I really need to wait until we have a good downpour and then go for a walk but so far I'm happy with the new poncho... I hope this helps a bit

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/vaude-poncho-review.37764/#post-367408

@BlackRocker57 ... I borrowed an Altus last year and I would say the Vaude is slightly shorter. There are only the 2 sizes and the S/M is roomy still... it maybe too big? I dont remember the size of the Altus but I think I had a Medium? My friend is a lot slighter than me in build so it wasn't a large? But I would say it was much the same size as this Vaude.

 

[Sr.Bigote]

Hello again.... @Sr.Bigote I updated my earlier review of the Vaude after a bit of a shower test this morning. I really need to wait until we have a good downpour and then go for a walk but so far I'm happy with the new poncho... I hope this helps a bit

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/vaude-poncho-review.37764/#post-367408

@BlackRocker57 ... I borrowed an Altus last year and I would say the Vaude is slightly shorter. There are only the 2 sizes and the S/M is roomy still... it maybe too big? I dont remember the size of the Altus but I think I had a Medium? My friend is a lot slighter than me in build so it wasn't a large? But I would say it was much the same size as this Vaude.

Thanks for the kind feedback!