altus poncho please

[pilgrim13]

Hi everyone....

i just want to ask where i can buy an altus poncho please? i am planning to walk the last 100 km ( Sarria to Santiago) of the camino frances this february ( 13- 17). I did try to look through the last threads of conversations here in the forum but i could not find a recent one. Someone recommended the Peregrinoteca site but there seems to be a very limited sizes and colours ( just checked the site right now )....I am based in London by the way.

Any alternative sites will be highly appreciated. Thank you so much.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

There is a hiking shop in Sarria at the bottom of the stairs. They have Altus.

 

[dytzs_pilgrim]

Thank you falcon269 for your response.....I will be arriving late in the afternoon or early evening of February 12( Wednesday ) in Sarria though.... Will the shop still be open? Do you know the opening and closing time of the shop?

Thanks again.....

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Peregrinoteca.com
C/ Benigno Quiroga, 16 Bajo
27600 Sarria
Lugo, Spain
Open today

1. 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
2. 4:00 – 8:30 pm

http://www.peregrinoteca.com/tienda/

http://www.peregrinoteca.com/tienda/polainas-ponchos-ponchos-c-161_172.html

 

[nidarosa]

The Peregrinoteca shop will have all the Altuses that are available - the shop seems small but they have loads of stock. There aren't really many different sizes and colours to choose from - S/M and L/XL, red, blue or green for the classic model - but they should definitely have them. You could call them beforehand and ask them to put the one you want to one side for you? They are very helpful and as far as I remember someone spoke English. Good luck on your Camino, you will be safe from the rain and wind inside your Altus!

 

[dytzs_pilgrim]

Thank you both falcon269 and nidarosa!
Highly appreciated your response!
God bless you both!

 

[t2andreo]

The Peregrinoteca shop in Sarria is located on a corner of C/ Benigno Quiroga (the main cross street after the bridge) and Rua Marques de Ugena (leading to the stairs), directly on the Camino route. If you make it to the BIG stairs leading up and out of Sarria, you missed it. It was on the corner, just before the stairs, if I recall correctly. As you walk the Camino route into and through Sarria, it will be on the right side, far corner.

The shop looks small from the outside, but they have a lot of gear on offer. You will be surprised.

I hope this helps.

 

[dytzs_pilgrim]

Thank you t2andreo.... Will keep note on that definitely.
Thanks again everyone!

 

[cecelia]

Hello,
I ordered altus atmospheric ponchos from barrabes in Spain (http://int.barrabes.com/altus-atmospheric-poncho-new/p-38356). The international page is in English but this link should take you straight there. I live on the west coast of Canada, just outside of Vancouver BC. The poncho arrived in 4 days!!

On another note: The original ponchos were apparently waterproof and wonderful according to some pilgrims who used them to their complete satisfaction, but recently there have been problems with the ponchos not being rainproof . However I do think the ones now labeled as NEW have solved that problem. I personally own two different ones that are in the middle batches -okay in a light, misty rain but completely useless on my caminos. Last year, when asked directly Barrabes said the Altus ponchos were not waterproof at that time. They are now labeling them as NEW and saying they're waterproof so it seems they may have corrected the problem. Be aware though that any of last years models MAY still be an issue. Just a heads up.
I just checked the peregrinoteca website. One of the ponchos I and my walking partner have are the dark green ones. They are definitely NOT waterproof. The others MAY be.
Buen camino and I hope you have a dry one

 

[peregrian]

It is strange because I have never heard any problem related with the waterproof system of any Altus poncho. I bought mine recomended by friends who have this model since years ago. I have been speaking with another pilgrims and I never heard problems about this poncho. I always heard that Altus Atmospheric poncho always works well.The difference between both models is the price: the new model is more expensive. It is reasonable that if the shop doesn´t have the old and cheap model, they want to sell new ones.
I chose kaki model in oder to save near 20 dolars and I´m completly sure that I will keep dry. Well, I know that I will be less fashionable but I don´t mind it

 

[Tia Valeria]

Hi everyone....

i just want to ask where i can buy an altus poncho please? i am planning to walk the last 100 km ( Sarria to Santiago) of the camino frances this february ( 13- 17). I did try to look through the last threads of conversations here in the forum but i could not find a recent one. Someone recommended the Peregrinoteca site but there seems to be a very limited sizes and colours ( just checked the site right now )....I am based in London by the way.

Any alternative sites will be highly appreciated. Thank you so much.

An alternative, although expensive, would be a Rohan poncho. Ours have been brilliant. They have changed slightly over the years but we haven't heard anyone complain that they are not waterproof and they last forever. You need to have a delivery address where the packet can be signed for, unless there is a nearby Rohan store where you can pick it up (and then there is no delivery charge). The page when I checked was still showing the sale price short version but I think this is now sold out/may be discontinued. The long one is best anyway because it goes well over a pack and down over the knees.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I have both the new and the old models.
I gave my old model to a friend when I bought the new one.
I regret it.
The new model condenses MUCH more - I get soaked.
I never had that problem with the old model.

Just sayin'...

 

[dytzs_pilgrim]

Thank you again everyone.....thanks for the links. It will be great indeed to have the poncho with me already before I arrive in Spain. Just feels reassuring and I won't have the hassle and worry that the shop might not have my size.....

God bless everyone!

 

[nidarosa]

Annie: Re the condensation issue, I have just checked on the Peregrinoteca website and the 'new' red and blue Altuses are made from ripstop polyester, while the khaki ones and the lime and orange models are all made from polyamide. Could this be what makes the difference? I have a red one from 2008/9 which is brilliant, and that is also made from polyester, while my slightly more condensation prone Altus is a khaki polyamide one. I know this discussion on how to tell a 'good' Altus from a 'bad' one - velcro, Rain Series brand etc - has been going on for years but I just wandered (oops, Freudian slip) wondered whether the ones people are not happy with are the polyamide/poliamida ones? If so it would be really easy to find the superior ones.
Anyone have their Altus at hand to check?

 

[Leaningforward]

Polyamide is a chemical class of polymers used to make nylons. Nylons (polyamide) and polyesters have different chemical and physical properties.

For example, see the following comparison of polyester and nylon raingear:

http://www.mec.ca/AST/ContentPrimary/Learn/Clothing/DressingForTheOutdoors/JacketFacts.jsp

Bear in mind that there are many different kinds of polyester and nylon, which give rise to different properties. In addition, the way the polyester and nylon are spun into fibers, woven into fabric, and treated to make more waterproof (you will see the term "hydrophobic", which means water- hating) also affect properties like transmission of heat and moisture -- which affects condensation.

 

[nidarosa]

That seems to support the theory, interesting link, thanks Leaningforward!

 

[dytzs_pilgrim]

Hello fellow pilgrims!

I have made it to Santiago yesterday! Thank you all for all the help and advise you've shared here! They've been very helpful for me being a first timer in the Camino!

I did buy the Altus poncho in Sarria!!! It was very of use as it has been raining in " the way" almost all the time!!!!

So overwhelmed with my whole Camino experience!

God bless us all!!!!

 

[lynnejohn]

Well done, and congratulations! Enjoy your rest.