Altus poncho versatility?

[ffp13]

For my next Camino I have ordered an Altus poncho the type that goes over the backpack.

After my Camino I will travel to Vietnam (rainy season) but I won't be backpacking, can the poncho still be used without a backpack (or hunchback) or should I consider a normal poncho? I initially opted for the over backpack poncho because on my last Camino the backpack rain cover and rain jacket was not effective.

Thanks

 

[Alan Pearce]

Firstly, the Altus is not strictly a poncho as it has sleeves. This makes it more durable than a normal poncho which blows around in the wind, and I have seen many ponchos left behind in albergues because thay have torn in a high wind. If it is windy you can hold your arms close to your sides and stop the flapping that a normal poncho would exhibit.

Secondly it has plastic clips on the inside of the coat which allows the wearer to shorten or lengthen it in the rear section, depending on whether you are wearing a backpack or not. So yes, I believe it would be suitable for the use you describe. I only wish they were made a little longer!

Buen camino

Alan

Be brave. Life is joyous.

 

[haikutaxi]

I used an altus on the caminho Portuguese last spring and it performed perfectly in all conditions ... Very versatile, and comfortable. It does help to wear a baseball cap under the hood to better support the brim. It should be awesome in monsoon rains.

 

[Anniesantiago]

And it makes a great blanket on a cold night.

 

[Terrri]

I just bought a rain poncho to use so I am curious what didn't work for you regarding the poncho. I think I have some extra long shoe laces to bring and use as a belt to stop the poncho from flying around in the wind too much.

 

[colinPeter]

Hola Terri,

I just bought a rain poncho to use so I am curious what didn't work for you regarding the poncho. I think I have some extra long shoe laces to bring and use as a belt to stop the poncho from flying around in the wind too much.

I used a suoer-sil poncho in 2009 & an Altus in 2012. The super-sil has no sleeves, the altus does.
I found the super-sil very difficult to get on in a hurry with storms, blown around by the wind and arms exposed (if you use "poles"). However, the ventialation is good in the traditional poncho. The Altus was easier to use, kept you dryer but had condensation build up, in changeable weather, you could just let it swing off the back of your pack.
My preference was the Altus.
Buen Camino
Colin

 

[handzondeck2]

Hola,

I have an Altus and it is very versatile and lightweight.

Can also be used for many things including a ground sheet for picnics an a sunny day.

Sharon

 

[CaroleH]

Yes, we've used Altus on three caminos and I wouldn't think of anything else. It is a bit weighty but so very versatile. We've walked in hours of rain, our packs and us stayed dry. Feet and boots didn't.

As others have said above, Altus is not a poncho, it has sleeves, even though it's named as an Altus Poncho, it's great against wind, as an extra blanket, a shade cloth, very versatile. Love it.

 

[ffp13]

The Altus is a great poncho, but is not suitable for the larger framed pilgrim, due to the wet May some stores in Pamplona had sold out of ponchos, luckily I found a suitable XL alternative, one of two left in stock