Altus poncho versatility?

ffp13

Addicted pilgrim

Time of past OR future Camino

Completed Caminos: 2009 SJPP, 2011 Roncessvalle , 2012 Pamploma, 2013 Roncessvalle, 2013 Porto, 2014 Burgos, 2014 Porto

Future: Roncessvalle

• May 11, 2013

• #1

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

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Invierno October 2022

• May 11, 2013

• #2

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

Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Portugués (May 2012)
Coastal Camino Portugués (October 2013)
Camino Inglés (planning for ?)

• May 11, 2013

• #3

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

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2006 to date: Over 21 Caminos. See signature line

• May 11, 2013

• #4

And it makes a great blanket on a cold night.

 

Terrri

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

May/June 2013
September/October 2016
September/October 2019

• May 16, 2013

• #5

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

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

SJPP-SDC (2009) Somport-Jaca, Burgos-SDC, Cee-Muxia (2012) Le Puy - Aumont-Aubrac (2014) SJPP-SDC (Oct 2015)

• May 16, 2013

• #6

Hola Terri,

Terrri said:

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.

Click to expand...

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

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Life is one big adventure - follow your dreams.

• May 16, 2013

• #7

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

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

VdlP 2006, Portugues 2007;Madrid 2009, Finisterre 2009; Sur and VdlP 2011,2013; Manchego and Madrid 2014; VdlP (parts) 2016; Hospitalero plan 2017.

• May 19, 2013

• #8

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

Addicted pilgrim

Time of past OR future Camino

Completed Caminos: 2009 SJPP, 2011 Roncessvalle , 2012 Pamploma, 2013 Roncessvalle, 2013 Porto, 2014 Burgos, 2014 Porto

Future: Roncessvalle

• May 28, 2013

• #9

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