Poncho or no Poncho starting in May 1?

[RRDY]

Is a poncho recommended? Any recommendations on clothing and rain gear, or other gear, appreciated. We, Donna and Roger from Colorado, will be starting May 1 from Le Puy.

 

[ranthr]

Do bring a poncho that covers your backpack. I would prefer to bring a waterproof jacket and trousers as well. Started from Le Puy at the same time in 2013 and there were some very wet and muddy streches.

 

[Luka]

Poncho, always poncho
(or other rain gear)

 

[Deleted member 3000]

In May 2013 I used my Altus poncho virtually every day, all day.

 

[MechEngr69]

Is a poncho recommended? Any recommendations on clothing and rain gear, or other gear, appreciated. We, Donna and Roger from Colorado, will be starting May 1 from Le Puy.

I recommend a waterproof backpack cover to keep your backpack dry when you go into a bar to get out of the rain and you have to leave the pack outside since there is no room inside. I'm departing from Burgos on April 19th and am taking waterproof gaiters to cover my trail running shoes. I know that the waterproof pants that I'm bringing don't breathe well during rain, so I'm going to try tightening the gaiters above my ankles and walking in my zipped-off shorts, unless it's freezing cold. My gaiters are only 8 inches high, and will help keep any mud off my socks. I walked from SJPdP to Burgos last fall. Some had ponchos, but they seemed to blow around in the wind. I had a parka and the before mentioned pants.

 

[Kanga]

Le Puy, 1st May - you do need raingear. My preference is for an Altus type poncho and umbrella - but others prefer jacket, rain pants and pack cover. Don't rely on a Sea to Summit type poncho - they may be big but they blow around and don't keep you dry or the wind out.

Whatever you get will be less than perfect - no-one has yet invented something completely waterproof that is also really breathable. Don't believe the marketing hype. Except maybe the wonderful umbrella - and it is no good in strong wind.

 

[Kitsambler]

On the Le Puy route (in France, not Spain), one won't be stopping in bars to get out of the rain, since there will generally not be a town or other commercial conveniences. This is mostly by design, as the French hikers' association lays out the routes for scenic value rather than walker convenience. This is somewhat due to the paucity of walkers, and of population in general, in this section of France. Between Le Puy and Conques, you'll see perhaps one-tenth the number of walkers in Spain. Past Conques, and certainly past Moissac, even fewer. So the infrastructure is correspondingly reduced in scope. If you are lucky, when it rains, there will be forest nearby for shelter from the wind. But there are great expanses that are quite exposed. Plan ahead.

 

[Rajy62]

Is a poncho recommended? Any recommendations on clothing and rain gear, or other gear, appreciated. We, Donna and Roger from Colorado, will be starting May 1 from Le Puy.

I prefer to walk in shorts. On the Frances(October) i used those sleeved Atlus poncho and gaiters with shorts. Within minutes i was wet inside from the condensation and the gaiters didn't prevent water running through my legs into the boots. On my next Camino, my successful rain gear system:

+ Sleeveless poncho from golite (which are no longer made but you can find similar models). that circulates air more freely and reduces condensation.
+ Merinowool tshirts make you feel warmer even when wet with your own sweat or poncho condensation.
+ Montbell rain trekker pants for sustained rain (the female version is thunderpass)). This pant breathes and is waterproof. With rain pants, does not matter if the poncho is blown around.
+ merino wool liner gloves to hold my poles.
+ whenever it is very cold, I would keep my technical shell on.

My technical shell (Rab eVent) serves as a early morning insulator, windbreaker, light rain jacket and town jacket. I never had to use any insulating layer, although i had a Patagonia nano puff for emergency.

 

[whariwharangi]

Is a poncho recommended? Any recommendations on clothing and rain gear, or other gear, appreciated. We, Donna and Roger from Colorado, will be starting May 1 from Le Puy.

Read about hypothermia before deciding to go sans rain gear.

I like poncho because it allows air flow. The downside is that in wind and heavy rain a poncho is less effective than a rain jacket and rain pants. So I carry both on hiking trips here on Canada's rain coast.

I found the December Galician downpours caused a lot of condensation so two layers of rain gear were often needed.

A poncho makes a ground sheet should you need a dry place to sit or lie down.

A poncho can be used as a small shelter... should you be stranded. A carefully held candle will keep you warm.

 

[anniethenurse]

In May 2013 I used my Altus poncho virtually every day, all day.

April 2013 it was pouring down, snowing and hailing 23 days of 29 days. Those were the days when we were walking in mud that sticks to the boots and makes them HEAVY The camino path was wet and muddy all days. And I was stuck up in Foncebadon in a snow storm. Snowing in Tosantos. Thunder storm and hailing when reaching Santo Domingo de la Calzada.
Altus poncho with gaiters was the right gear for me the. Rain jacket, rain trousers and and a rain cover for your ruck sack do no keep your rucksack dry when the water is running down your back.

Nowadays I am wearing a Ferrino rain coat poncho.

 

[Pelgrimpaul]

I like poncho's on the camino.

Many American models however have open sides, and short arms: don't like that, arms get wet!
The Altus or Ferrino models ( Spanish/Italian) usually have added arms, perhaps better as arms are covered and sides closed. But: arms get wet on the inside due to condensation.
I would suggest an alternative in the form of models by Vaude or Wafo (German): sides closed, longer wide arms covering them completely however.

If you like use alternatives like an umbrella or rainjackets/rainpants.
My option is the poncho, and you know which ones ;-)
Your option is your option!

 

[anniethenurse]

I have to clarify - both my ponchos are with arms - they are rain coat ponchos that cover a ruck sack and me.

 

[Elizabeth Alvarez]

Is a poncho recommended? Any recommendations on clothing and rain gear, or other gear, appreciated. We, Donna and Roger from Colorado, will be starting May 1 from Le Puy.

Buen Camino. I am starting the camino on May 2 from Lisbon. I am also from Colorado Springs. I bought a rain poncho for backpack at REI

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I bought a rain poncho for backpack at REI

I am a fan/member of REI, but have not seen any rain poncho for a backpack. Do you have a model or further description? Particularly whether it goes on over the head, has sleeves, or closes with a zipper. Thanks.

 

[Elizabeth Alvarez]

This is a photo of the poncho it has a space for the backpack

 

[marbuck]

Is a poncho recommended? Any recommendations on clothing and rain gear, or other gear, appreciated. We, Donna and Roger from Colorado, will be starting May 1 from Le Puy.

For your information, the 1st May is a public holiday in France and the start of a long weekend. If you have not already made reservations for the first few nights you may have trouble getting a bed.

The following weekend is also another long weekend, 8th May is the Victory Day holiday.

 

[Asha]

Is a poncho recommended? Any recommendations on clothing and rain gear, or other gear, appreciated. We, Donna and Roger from Colorado, will be starting May 1 from Le Puy.

My husband and I will start the Camino on May 7th from SJPDP, can we buy Altus ponchos in SJPDP?

 

[mspath]

My husband and I will start the Camino on May 7th from SJPDP, can we buy Altus ponchos in SJPDP?

Yes you can buy Altus ponchos in SJPdP in the shop Direction Compostelle.
Buen camino to you both!

 

[RRDY]

For your information, the 1st May is a public holiday in France and the start of a long weekend. If you have not already made reservations for the first few nights you may have trouble getting a bed.

The following weekend is also another long weekend, 8th May is the Victory Day holiday.

Thanks much for the heads up.

 

[RRDY]

Thanks much for the heads up.

I like poncho's on the camino.

Many American models however have open sides, and short arms: don't like that, arms get wet!
The Altus or Ferrino models ( Spanish/Italian) usually have added arms, perhaps better as arms are covered and sides closed. But: arms get wet on the inside due to condensation.
I would suggest an alternative in the form of models by Vaude or Wafo (German): sides closed, longer wide arms covering them completely however.

If you like use alternatives like an umbrella or rainjackets/rainpants.
My option is the poncho, and you know which ones ;-)
Your option is your option!

 

[RRDY]

Thanks for your information. I am going on Francis Tapon's recommendation to use a trekking umbrella. We will see how this goes.

 

[RRDY]

Le Puy, 1st May - you do need raingear. My preference is for an Altus type poncho and umbrella - but others prefer jacket, rain pants and pack cover. Don't rely on a Sea to Summit type poncho - they may be big but they blow around and don't keep you dry or the wind out.

Whatever you get will be less than perfect - no-one has yet invented something completely waterproof that is also really breathable. Don't believe the marketing hype. Except maybe the wonderful umbrella - and it is no good in strong wind.

 

[RRDY]

Kanga,

We are going with umbrella, pack cover, and rain coat and pants.

Thanks for your info.

 

[RRDY]

I like poncho's on the camino.

Many American models however have open sides, and short arms: don't like that, arms get wet!
The Altus or Ferrino models ( Spanish/Italian) usually have added arms, perhaps better as arms are covered and sides closed. But: arms get wet on the inside due to condensation.
I would suggest an alternative in the form of models by Vaude or Wafo (German): sides closed, longer wide arms covering them completely however.

If you like use alternatives like an umbrella or rainjackets/rainpants.
My option is the poncho, and you know which ones ;-)
Your option is your option!

 

[RRDY]

Thanks for your info.

We are trying umbrellas and raincoat.

We live in a semi arid area so are not used to rain!!! It will be a new experience.

 

[anniethenurse]

Thanks for your info.

We are trying umbrellas and raincoat.

We live in a semi arid area so are not used to rain!!! It will be a new experience.

The umbrella is a very god idea but impossible to use if the wind is blowing badly.

 

[Rajy62]

Kanga,

We are going with umbrella, pack cover, and rain coat and pants.

Thanks for your info.

I guess you are not going to use trekking poles....