How to make rain poncho visible

[wynrich]

We just ordered an Altus poncho from https://www.tradeinn.com/trekkinn/en/altus-atmospheric-h30-poncho/139758343/p

Thanks to Trecile for giving us the above link for ordering from the US in this thread: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/to-poncho-or-not-poncho.74443/

The only color option we had at the site was blue which is a nice color but not very visible on a dark cloudy day. We're looking for suggestions about how to make ourselves visible for times we might need to do road walking.

I've ordered reflective tape from Amazon and used it on my backpack. It worked well there, but last year when I tried sticking that tape to our pack covers it wouldn't adhere at all. But maybe there is some kind that will?

Any advice would be most appreciated.

 

[trecile]

I was able to add some reflective fabric to my homemade Parcho with a product like this that's made to stick to siliconized fabric.

 

[williamlittig]

I saw this last year, it is sewn but effective. Maybe a large shell logo on a safety yellow-green pack cover could raise moneys for our favorite "Forum". I'll be sauntering through in late October to make another donation.

 

[trecile]

I saw this last year, it is sewn but effective

Effective for visibility, but now less effective against rain with the holes seen through. Some seam sealer could be applied, but I wouldn't recommend seeing through a waterproof fabric.

 

[t2andreo]

I know the search is on the Amazon US site. But many of these products are available in your country too:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=1+inch+adhesive+reflective+waterproof+tape&crid=2F3BL0NGFB3R1&sprefix=1+inch+adhesive+reflective+waterproof+tape%2Caps%2C214&ref=nb_sb_noss&tag=casaivar02-20&tag=casaivar02-20

FYI - the actual search term I used was: "1 inch adhesive reflective waterproof tape" For those of you in metric countries, consider changing 1 inch to 25 mm.

To apply the tape permanently, especially on waterproof and synthetic fabric, consider using a damp towel and a cool(ish) iron to set the adhesive well. Iron on a flat surface. DO NOT use the iron directly on the waterproof fabric and tape.

Note: most commercial products with reflective tape affixed usually use a vertical line down the back of the outer covering (poncho or parka), or a horizontal line across the upper back.

Hope this helps.

Tom

 

[nilesite]

I use this. I got an XL to go over me and my backpack. https://amzn.to/3Zgt1KV

 

[Bothydave]

The back of these ponchos has from memory a loop of elastic to tighten the hood.
take a short length of your reflective tape. Only peel off a small section of the backing and attach in a loop through the elastic to itself. You now have a non invasive reflector that will move about and catch the eye of those behind you as you move

 

[t2andreo]

The back of these ponchos has from memory a loop of elastic to tighten the hood.
take a short length of your reflective tape. Only peel off a small section of the backing and attach in a loop through the elastic to itself. You now have a non invasive reflector that will move about and catch the eye of those behind you as you move

I like this option - a lot - for those ponchos with a loop at the rear.

 

[ratherbefollowingflechas]

We purchased clip-on flasher lights used by runners and bikers and attached them to our packs whenever we were road walking. They are rather bright and numerous folks commented on their visibility. If you have a loop, you could attach it through that. Great to use even when it is not raining.

 

[wynrich]

I love all the ideas. Thank you. We might try all of them at once.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

We purchased clip-on flasher lights used by runners and bikers and attached them to our packs whenever we were road walking. They are rather bright and numerous folks commented on their visibility. If you have a loop, you could attach it through that. Great to use even when it is not raining.View attachment 156300

Whilst that's not going to help with my poncho ( no loop) it's a great idea.
I met a young Spanish woman with a small button version of the same which she'd attached to the bottom of her poncho, very small, light weight and definitely eye catching as it also swung as she walked. Didn't think to ask how she'd attached it.
Thanks for reminding me!

 

[ratherbefollowingflechas]

Whilst that's not going to help with my poncho ( no loop) it's a great idea.

The nice thing is that these will clip onto anything. We have attached it to our packs, belts, folds of fabric and even our sleeve cuffs. It flashes or runs constantly.

 

[williamlittig]

I saw this last year, it is sewn but effective. Maybe a large shell logo on a safety yellow-green pack cover could raise moneys for our favorite "Forum". I'll be sauntering through in late October to make another donation.

View attachment 156258

 

[Chuckch3783]

We just ordered an Altus poncho from https://www.tradeinn.com/trekkinn/en/altus-atmospheric-h30-poncho/139758343/p

Thanks to Trecile for giving us the above link for ordering from the US in this thread: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/to-poncho-or-not-poncho.74443/

The only color option we had at the site was blue which is a nice color but not very visible on a dark cloudy day. We're looking for suggestions about how to make ourselves visible for times we might need to do road walking.

I've ordered reflective tape from Amazon and used it on my backpack. It worked well there, but last year when I tried sticking that tape to our pack covers it wouldn't adhere at all. But maybe there is some kind that will?

Any advice would be most appreciated.

I have used the iron on tape mentioned by someone else. It is relatively cheap however it will diminish after several washings and then leaves like a weird stain, you can reapply, but it doesn't look nice (make sure you use a thick piece of material between the iron and your fabric). I made a sort of sash out of a reflective vest from a construction job that packs down very small and I can just drape it over my pack and one shoulder. It is pretty narrow but really stands out when headlights hit it. I have had neighbors compliment the effectiveness while I was training for my Caminos in the late evenings and early mornings.

 

[ShoshTrvls]

I know the search is on the Amazon US site. But many of these products are available in your country too:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=1+inch+adhesive+reflective+waterproof+tape&crid=2F3BL0NGFB3R1&sprefix=1+inch+adhesive+reflective+waterproof+tape%2Caps%2C214&ref=nb_sb_noss&tag=casaivar02-20&tag=casaivar02-20

The main problem with reflective tape, IMHO, is that you'll never get your poncho back into a stuff sack, at least not a smallish one.

 

[wynrich]

I made a sort of sash out of a reflective vest from a construction job that packs down very small and I can just drape it over my pack and one shoulder. It is pretty narrow but really stands out when headlights hit it. I have had neighbors compliment the effectiveness while I was training for my Caminos in the late evenings and early mornings.

This is similar to what we have decided to do. I bought some hi-viz nylon fabric and put an elastic drawstring through one long edge so it can be worn kind of like a little apron when needed. (It's 7 or 8 inches wide, I think.) In this photo, it wraps all the way around to the back around the backpack. We also bought some reflective bands to put around our arms and ankles. I appreciate everyone's feedback. (Leave for Camino del Norte a week from today!)

 

[henrythedog]

Might I caution, if you’re not in the US, clicking on an Amazon.com link can result in fifteen minutes of finding your glasses, navigating Amazons terminally unhelpful ‘help’ and trying to convince a bot that you’ve not relocated transatlantically before normal service is resumed..