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You might want to look at the Packa. A couple that I walked with had them, and the design is great.@Mike Trebert where is this genius guy who makes things? For years I've wanted an Altus with pit zips. And in eVent fabric. My model (an old one) also has velcro cuffs, which I think are much better than the current model with elastic cuffs - the velcro means you can loosen the cuffs to allow some air to get in.
I recently bought an Altus Atmospheric poncho and wanted to give my observations on this fine product. I ordered it on Amazon U.K. (England) and had it shipped to Sacramento CA which took four days with the more expensive fast shipping. I ordered the largest size available which is exlg/2exlg which cost more than the other sizes. I am a 6' 1" and 195 lb man which is almost emaciated for fast food loving Americans. It comes halfway down my shins and fits me fine.. The prices on Amazon U.K. are in English pounds which have to be converted to American dollars. With the more expensive largest size and fast shipping the total price was about $75 American. It would be about $15-20 cheaper for smaller sizes and standard shipping. I wanted to get it before my El Camino rather than buying one in St.John and risk it not being available or not having the proper size. I considered getting the similar American made Packa Jacket but it is almost twice as expensive and it is more of a jacket than a poncho which doesn't extend down as far as the Altus. The Packa would required using rain pants or gaiters in conjunction with the jacket and I think I can do without those things using the Altus.
The quality of the Altus Atmosheric is very good. I am not sure where it is made, possibly Spain, as Altus is a Spanish company which sells high end gear for backpacking and hiking. All the seams are tape sealed, it has a full length YKK zipper (the best brand) down the front, arm sleeves, chest air vents, a well designed hood, extra material in back to cover packs which snaps down when not needed and it is made of coated 70d polyester. It is totally waterproof but not breathable.
I got a chance to test it today as it has been monsoon like here the last month which is a welcome change from the last five years of drought here in California. Feast or famine I guess. I hiked about 5 miles, part of which was a steep 35 degree slope up one side of the well known Foresthill bridge in Northern California, over the bridge, and down the other side wearing the Altus all the way. Vin Diesel (or a stunt man) jumped a Corvette off the bridge in the movie TripleX. It is the highest bridge in California at 740 feet above the North Fork of the American River. Check out Foresthill bridge on Wiki and you will see what I mean.
The Altus performed very well on the hike. It rained on the way up and stopped before I got to the bridge but I left the poncho on for the way down and the rest of the hike. I got a little bit of sweat condensation on the shoulder areas on the poncho, not much, but this is unavoidable with any rain gear including supposedly breathable gor-tex , simply a matter of physics. Weather conditions were 52 degree F with light winds and 100% humidity. I wore the poncho over my day pack without having to unbuckle the snaps on the back to make more room, but I would have to unbuckle them for a larger backpack. As always I used a ball cap in conjunction with the hood of the poncho to help keep the rain out of my face
Anyway very pleased with the Altus Atmosheric poncho and God willing I will use it on the El Camino and also for hiking and backpacking here in Northern California.
Apparently good as a changing bag and, I'm told, a cover up for ladies peeing on the Mesata . . .I haven't used an Altus, but saw them along the way. To me, they seemed big and bulky to carry and only to have a single function. I decided on a rain jacket which was smaller, lighter and also good for just wind protection, holding in the warmth of my fleece insulation. I could wrap it around my waist when I took it off, too. I don't see the Altus as part of a practical layering system. Not to mention looking like a human circus tent, walking around in the city.
In addition to my Parcho (204gr/7.2 oz), I carried a Euroschirm handsfree umbrella, which was great in the rain, but even better to block the sun.I carried a poncho - Sea to Summit, nylon 367gms from Seville to Santiago. And it poured on several days! Never used it! I walk in shorts - legs dry eventually and used a lightweight trekking umbrella (http://www.helinox.com.au/umbrellas) to keep the top half dry, even when wearing a non waterproof fleece. I think this company has some link to the Euroschirm umbrellas). I never suffered from condensation! I'm a convert to trekking umbrellas (not so good in the wind here in Wellington, New Zealand - but then the wind here is extreme and a poncho would quickly turn you into a kite anyway) Each to his own though!
I carried a poncho - Sea to Summit, nylon 367gms from Seville to Santiago. And it poured on several days! Never used it! I walk in shorts - legs dry eventually and used a lightweight trekking umbrella (http://www.helinox.com.au/umbrellas) to keep the top half dry, even when wearing a non waterproof fleece. I think this company has some link to the Euroschirm umbrellas). I never suffered from condensation! I'm a convert to trekking umbrellas (not so good in the wind here in Wellington, New Zealand - but then the wind here is extreme and a poncho would quickly turn you into a kite anyway) Each to his own though!
Hi Mike. Let's face it, rain is just a pain in the butt and no solution is perfect. I have a nice Marmot rain jacket with pit zips that is supposedly breathable and I still get condensation. I am not a big fan of Gore-Tex gear because it seems that once they get contaminated with dirt or perspiration they don't breath very well. Also with rain jackets your pack straps get wet, and what are straps made of--absorbent foam which takes forever to dry. With a rain jacket you need rain pants and a rain cover for the pack which adds up to about the same weight as a poncho. Several years ago I tried a Dri-Ducks poncho with snaps up the side at one on the windiest places on the west coast of the U.S.-Point Reyes national Seashore just north of San Francisco. It was a disaster. Like you the snaps pulled open and my arms got wet because it had no sleeves like the Altus poncho/jacket. At one point the entire poncho blew up over my head as the rain was pouring down and I was descending a steep hill. I couldn't see, my arms were flailing about trying to control the poncho and I got totally soaked, except for my head which was covered by the flapping poncho. My hiking buddy though it was funny, but somehow I didn't see the humor of the situation. It is a personal choice between a rain suit or a poncho, but I'll take the Altus poncho for the El Camino and put up with a little sweat condensation.formerly welcome,
I walked my first Camino last year. Took a light poncho with snap fasteners up each side. Repeatedly blew open or pulled open by branches, drove me crazy. Just got an Altus poncho and have tested it. Summer here in Sydney now so a fair bit of condensation wearing only a t-shirt (no pack)! Another reason to walk in cooler weather. There probably should be a few vents around the armpits, might have some put in by a genius guy who makes pro camping gear up here where I live west of Sydney in the Blue Mountains. My rain jacket has huge zippered vents under the arms - wonderful. Also, Altus poncho doesn't have any pockets. Where do I put my gloves in cold weather when I get my camera out? Good hood, but as you, I wear a peaked cap or baseball cap as well to keep the rain off my glasses, hood not enough. All in all, very happy with the Altus.
Thanks fm,Hi Mike. Let's face it, rain is just a pain in the butt and no solution is perfect. I have a nice Marmot rain jacket with pit zips that is supposedly breathable and I still get condensation. I am not a big fan of Gore-Tex gear because it seems that once they get contaminated with dirt or perspiration they don't breath very well. Also with rain jackets your pack straps get wet, and what are straps made of--absorbent foam which takes forever to dry. With a rain jacket you need rain pants and a rain cover for the pack which adds up to about the same weight as a poncho. Several years ago I tried a Dri-Ducks poncho with snaps up the side at one on the windiest places on the west coast of the U.S.-Point Reyes national Seashore just north of San Francisco. It was a disaster. Like you the snaps pulled open and my arms got wet because it had no sleeves like the Altus poncho/jacket. At one point the entire poncho blew up over my head as the rain was pouring down and I was descending a steep hill. I couldn't see, my arms were flailing about trying to control the poncho and I got totally soaked, except for my head which was covered by the flapping poncho. My hiking buddy though it was funny, but somehow I didn't see the humor of the situation. It is a personal choice between a rain suit or a poncho, but I'll take the Altus poncho for the El Camino and put up with a little sweat condensation.!
Hi Mike. I saw this post along with what Kanga said about her Altus and wondered when and how you purchased them. I tried via the web last year (early in the year) but was unsuccessful. I ended up buying a Ferrino via Canada which disappointed me. I always wanted an Altus Atmospheric and am still keen to buy one. Any advice would be welcome. Many thanks. Gaz.formerly welcome,
I walked my first Camino last year. Took a light poncho with snap fasteners up each side. Repeatedly blew open or pulled open by branches, drove me crazy. Just got an Altus poncho and have tested it. Summer here in Sydney now so a fair bit of condensation wearing only a t-shirt (no pack)! Another reason to walk in cooler weather. There probably should be a few vents around the armpits, might have some put in by a genius guy who makes pro camping gear up here where I live west of Sydney in the Blue Mountains. My rain jacket has huge zippered vents under the arms - wonderful. Also, Altus poncho doesn't have any pockets. Where do I put my gloves in cold weather when I get my camera out? Good hood, but as you, I wear a peaked cap or baseball cap as well to keep the rain off my glasses, hood not enough. All in all, very happy with the Altus.
Thanks for that Mike. Sounds like the alterations you are looking at would be the go. I may need to look at same. Garry.Hi @Garry Franks,
I ordered mine from Caminoteca in Pamplona. http://caminoteca.com You might deal directly with Raul Arce Archbold. Their online payment system was down for a few weeks late last year but I waited and OK for me after that. I wondered whether I might need an XL because I carry a camera clipped to my chest. Raul emailed and said this:
Please answer the following two questions:
1. How tall are you? If you are taller than 180-185 cm and
2. how big is your backpack? If it is bigger than 40-50 liters,
You would need the xl/xxl, otherwise go for the m/l.
I'm about 185 cm (5' 11") and carry a smallish pack (and the camera up front) and the M/L is a bit generous but fine. It's big enough to let some air circulate, a good thing. XL/XXL must be enormous.
I'm a BIT disappointed in that there's more condensation than expected (in warm weather, might be OK in cool seasons when I walk). I will have mesh vents added at armpits and will have the cuffs modified to remove the very non-adjustable/non-venting elastic and add velcro straps.
Buen Camino, - Mike
Greetings fellow Wellingtonian! - I was looking at the Sea to Summit also. But when did you walk? I am starting 1 April. Do you think it will be adequate for then?I carried a poncho - Sea to Summit, nylon 367gms from Seville to Santiago. And it poured on several days! Never used it! I walk in shorts - legs dry eventually and used a lightweight trekking umbrella (http://www.helinox.com.au/umbrellas) to keep the top half dry, even when wearing a non waterproof fleece. I think this company has some link to the Euroschirm umbrellas). I never suffered from condensation! I'm a convert to trekking umbrellas (not so good in the wind here in Wellington, New Zealand - but then the wind here is extreme and a poncho would quickly turn you into a kite anyway) Each to his own though!
Hi JFK,Greetings fellow Wellingtonian! - I was looking at the Sea to Summit also. But when did you walk? I am starting 1 April. Do you think it will be adequate for then?
I won't use my Altus without adding vents to the armpits and taking the elastic out of the cuffs. I have a perfectly good rain jacket but I won't use a pack rain cover - don't like them they're almost useless and a nuisance IMHO. I've only walked one Camino, but it was the full CF and it rained A LOT last year. I'm pretty much devoted to walking in cooler weather, cannot understand people who choose to walk in Spanish summer - some folks have strong reasons for that and in many cases not much choice, I assume. Again, each of us has different needs and preferences.I've tried to stay committed to my Altus, but after 4 caminos of using it, I've decided that when I set off this March, I will try a treking umbrella & light rain jacket. Tired of being as wet under the Altus from condensation as on the outside from the rain! I do use poles so I've been testing the Euroschirm handsfree umbrella (clips to the pack straps and belt). So far, great in the rain and wind! I will miss my Altus in one way though...it makes an excellent ground cover / picnic blanket!
The Packa is built with armpit zippers! Still, condensation is still a problem.I won't use my Altus without adding vents to the armpits
Well, I personally only use one pole, so no problem for me.How do you carry an umbrella if you use walking poles? Is there a way?
I use a Euroschrim hands free umbrella and two poles.Well, I personally only use one pole, so no problem for me.
I'm sure using two poles is better, but I like keeping one hand free to grab my camera at any given moment, except when carrying my umbrella. I plan to look into the Euroschrim so many of you really like. I take LOTS of photos!I use a Euroschrim hands free umbrella and two poles.
G'day peregrina2000. What did you think of the Ferrino?One thing to keep in mind when you read opinions about the Altus is that the "old" altus is different from the "new" one, both in terms of features like velcro closures at the wrist, as well as more important features like the amount of rain the material can resist. I know that some of the high end sporting good stores in Spain (including Barrabés and one store I visited in Santiago, which told me this was a general trend) have stopped carrying Altus because they concluded that the new version (maybe that's the atmospheric, but I'm not sure) was not up to their standards. But it seems we have a lot of satisfied customers of the new version!
In any event, I have an old Altus, a new Altus, a Decathlon version of the Altus, and a Ferrino. Some were given to me, others I have bought over the years. I think the old Altus and the Decathlon version are superior, but I didn't really like the Decathlon version either (too heavy, length not as good for me). So I've been sticking with my old Altus and will probably do so again this year. I usually bring a rain jacket in addition, because I have felt rather ridiculous floating around a town in the rain after walking with many square meters of poncho flapping in the wind.
Laurie, like you I have only walked one Camino - the Frances from mid-April last year and yes it rained a lot. I used a Ferrino and agree that it was one serious sweatbox and the hypothermia thing explains that well. Apart from the sweating I had a lot of trouble getting wet through the front zipper. It seemed that the velcro tabs on the flap over the zipper were too short in number and length as in strongish wind the rain blew in under the flap so I ended up wet down the front of my shirt and shorts (and fleece if I had one on). My walking mate had one too and same result. We ended up using them like a cape when the weather wasn't too heavy. Anyway I'll look closely at the Altus when I go on my next Camino. Thanks for the info. Garry.Hi, Garry,
I bought the Ferrino and wore it on the Camino de Levante. Fortunately, it only rained for a total of about 5 hours from Valencia to Santiago, but every one of those hours was unpleasant in the Ferrino. I began to sweat almost immediately. I later learned from the forum that the Ferrino has a metallic lining whose purpose is to prevent hypothermia, so it will heat you up pretty quickly in warm weather. People I know in the outdoor world say the most important purpose of a rain poncho is not to keep you dry but to keep you from getting hypothermia. Of course on the camino in the summer, hypothermia is not a problem. If I were walking in winter I might use it again, but I think its metallic lining disqualifies it for summer walking. I should also add that I do not easily or usually sweat profusely since I'm in decent shape, but in that Ferrino I was a sweat machine. Buen camino, Laurie
Update on the Amazon.co.uk Altus purchase excitement: The red M/L Altus has arrived and it is the lighter weight one, weighing 330g (incl bag and tag), in polyester, with Altus RainSeries printed on the left hand side of the chest and also on the hump. It has all the usual drawcords, velcros, zip front and taped seams.
In comparison my black one in small, bought a good few years ago, weighs 230g (no bag or tag), is also polyester, has RainSeries printed on the right hand side and Altus on the left, and only a symbol on the hump.
They seem more or less the same size, both sleeves reach past my wrists so I can just about pull my hands in if needed, both reach my knee-ish with the red stretching just below - I am 1,78 tall and was carrying a 33 litre pack with a stuffed lid at the time). The red seems a bit more 'sticky' on the inside but that could be because it is brand new.
The Ferrino Hiker I bought is made from polyamide and has no zip or sleeves, so I am left unprotected from the elbow down. I could pull my arms into the poncho but I need to use my poles due to rubbish knee, so it is no longer ideal for me. Oddly it seems the same sort of size though it is a L/XL ... and also weighs 330g with bag and tag.
I know the world doesn't need another thread on Altuses (Alti?) but there it is, if anyone feels tempted to buy the ones on Amazon UK. I am very happy with it - now my husband and I both have very lightweight ones for when we go away together, and I have a lightweight red one for walking near traffic or far from people, where it is good to be visible.
I bought an Altus recently and was very disappointed. I've had to have zippered vents added to the armpits because there was so much condensation inside the poncho in warm weather. These vents cost me more than the poncho. There's also elastic cuffs instead of velcro-adjustable cuffs, so less control of ventilation/condensation. There's also no outside pocket on the Altus.Could you post the link please? I'm here in the states and would love to get one but hard to find from here. Thank you.
So pleased to read your comments! I bought an Altus on my last Camino 10 years ago after a week of rain. I felt then that if I needed to sleep rough I could - under my own "shell!" It's definitely coming for my late September - November Camino this year however at 5'2 tall I'm swamped in it so I also want to take my light rain jacket for usual layering rather thsn just having the Altus.One thing to keep in mind when you read opinions about the Altus is that the "old" altus is different from the "new" one, both in terms of features like velcro closures at the wrist, as well as more important features like the amount of rain the material can resist. I know that some of the high end sporting good stores in Spain (including Barrabés and one store I visited in Santiago, which told me this was a general trend) have stopped carrying Altus because they concluded that the new version (maybe that's the atmospheric, but I'm not sure) was not up to their standards. But it seems we have a lot of satisfied customers of the new version!
In any event, I have an old Altus, a new Altus, a Decathlon version of the Altus, and a Ferrino. Some were given to me, others I have bought over the years. I think the old Altus and the Decathlon version are superior, but I didn't really like the Decathlon version either (too heavy, length not as good for me). So I've been sticking with my old Altus and will probably do so again this year. I usually bring a rain jacket in addition, because I have felt rather ridiculous floating around a town in the rain after walking with many square meters of poncho flapping in the wind.
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