Altus Ponchos,,,,

[kevhan84]

Any recommendations on where to purchase an altus poncho...

 

[7wood]

In Pamplona the Caminoteca it's on Calle de Curia. Google Caminoteca.

 

[wayfarer]

I bought mine online from this company.
http://www.barrabes.com/altus-poncho-atmospheric/p-20884
They are also sold in St. Jean

 

[Bajaracer]

Wait till you get to Spain or France, unless you are in the EU, shipping is almost as much as the poncho itself.

 

[yesenia]

Anyplace to purchase an Altus Poncho if we start in O'Cebreiro??

 

[Saramago]

www.directioncompestelle.com/ if in St Jean. Boutique du Pelerin, Tel. 05 59 37 98 52
Downtown in between the bridge and ATM. There is a contact link on the website. I bought one there, the lady is very helpful and nice. Perhaps (not sure) an online purchase possible.

 

[Bajaracer]

Anyplace to purchase an Altus Poncho if we start in O'Cebreiro??

Probably in Tricastela is where you might find one, they are expensive at €40-44, you'll definitely find them in Sarria at http://www.peregrinoteca.com/tienda/poncho-altus-atmospheric-nylon-verde-p-8241.html

 

[anniethenurse]

@yesenia - I bought an Altus Poncho in one of the shops in O Cebreiro a couple of years ago.

 

[Saramago]

IMO, for cold weather (you mentioned April earlier), a good Gortex jacket, Gortex pants and gaiters plus Gortex boots work better. Just my experience. My jacket was hooded. I stayed bone dry in these and they cut the wind. I also had a rain cover for pack. Not sure why I forked up for the Altus thought it long, runs big and felt as if I was hiking in a dress when I finally did open it. Not a fan. It's not really a poncho, it's a raincoat that goes to the ground. They also sell Packas at the store I mentioned so if you have rain pants you might consider the shorter Packa.

 

[aname4me]

We pre-ordered our Altus ponchos from a shop in St Jean, and paid on pick up.
We contacted him via eMail, and he held the 2 ponchos for us (Sept 2013)
directioncompostelle@orange.fr He speaks English
We sent a reminder eMail a week before we left.

These are the BEST rain wear for walking.

PS... notice that in our picture we are wearing them. Mine is hung on my backpack so it can very quickly be put on.

 

[waveprof]

Any recommendations on where to purchase an altus poncho...

I bought mine in Madrid from the big outdoor sport store near the main park.

 

[yesenia]

Probably in Tricastela is where you might find one, they are expensive at €40-44, you'll definitely find them in Sarria at http://www.peregrinoteca.com/tienda/poncho-altus-atmospheric-nylon-verde-p-8241.html

Thank you Bajaracer! yeah that's an investment I'll keep an eye out for them!

 

[yesenia]

@yesenia - I bought an Altus Poncho in one of the shops in O Cebreiro a couple of years ago.

Thanks Annie! we arrive in O Cebreiro in the afternoon... hope the place is still open... that would be ideal... there's nothing similar to the Altus Poncho here in the US that I have found... and if there is... it must be very expensive!

 

[saltwaterpearl]

Thanks Annie! we arrive in O Cebreiro in the afternoon... hope the place is still open... that would be ideal... there's nothing similar to the Altus Poncho here in the US that I have found... and if there is... it must be very expensive!

There are though! Two equivalent designs you can get in the US are.....

The Ferrino Trekker (priced similarly to the Altus and available with Prime shipping and free returns from Amazon):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005G2ACTQ/?tag=casaivar02-20

The Packa (a brilliant, one-man-business piece of backpacking rain gear, pricey but totally deserving of its stellar reputation - obviously, I'm a fan)
http://www.thepacka.com/

I personally wouldn't take the risk, or risk the hassle, of arriving in Spain without my rain gear ready to go. There is nothing magical about the Altus - price or quality wise - that makes it worth hunting down after you get to Spain when there are other options available close to home before you get on the plane.

 

[Saramago]

Anyplace to purchase an Altus Poncho if we start in O'Cebreiro??

Yesenia - if you think you take a M/L, send me your address and you get a free Altus. I didn't try it on before purchasing and she suggested a small. I'm 5'8 and swim in it. Not a fan of hiking in a long coat.

 

[yesenia]

Yesenia - if you think you take a M/L, send me your address and you get a free Altus. I didn't try it on before purchasing and she suggested a small. I'm 5'8 and swim in it. Not a fan of hiking in a long coat.

Wow Sara! that's amazing! I'm speechless... I am on a tight budget and your offer is really priceless. I'll message you with my info. I'd like to at least pay you something for it...
I would love to pay it forward and do the same when I come back from my camino! What a lovely think to offer!
and it inspires me to do the same with it once i come back.

Happy Friday! and full of blessing!

 

[ranthr]

There is also a shop in Sarria you pass it one the way through the town when you have walked over the bridge and start climbing towards albergue municipal. I bought an Altus poncho there.

 

[kevhan84]

Packa or Poncho ? (until a few weeks ago I had never heard of or used an Altus Poncho or a Packa)...

 

[nidarosa]

The shop @ranthr refers to is the Peregrinoteca and they have everything in there! Try the different models and see which features you like. I swear by my (lightweight) Altus, because it goes below my knees, covers me and my pack in one swift (possibly not elegant) movement and has a zip down the front to open it up between showers. Also I can leave it hanging off the pack and tie the sleeves across my front to let it dry. Love it, wouldn't dream of going near Galicia without it!

 

[kevhan84]

Have purchased a Packa instead of a poncho, hope it dose the job, ;-)

Its raining outside right now and I have to go out, I could do with either a poncho or a packa right now, LOL ;-)

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Have purchased a Packa instead of a poncho, hope it does the job

It will. It is lighter and cooler. The visor fits better (although a billed hat still helps). Buen camino.

 

[Saramago]

Have purchased a Packa instead of a poncho, hope it dose the job, ;-)

Its raining outside right now and I have to go out, I could do with either a poncho or a packa right now, LOL ;-)

Good choice! I've spent a lot of time in Ireland over the last 25 years, including 2 summers. If there was ever a place to try it out, it would be Ireland. ;-D

 

[kevhan84]

Good choice! I've spent a lot of time in Ireland over the last 25 years, including 2 summers. If there was ever a place to try it out, it would be Ireland. ;-D

yep. no better place that Ireland, as we say its the only place where you can experience all four seasons in one day ;-)

 

[kevhan84]

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and joyful New year, Buen Camino

 

[Saramago]

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and joyful New year, Buen Camino

Merry Christmas to you as well!

 

[kevhan84]

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL

Roll on April and the Camino