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We purchased ours in SJPDP, one size only, and they were very necessary the first 2 days.My husband and I are planning our first camino on the CF in September 2015. I've read many things about the Altus poncho and decided this was the poncho for me. I contacted Barrabes because all they had in stock was XS. I'm almost 5"10 and the length is too short. Barrabes said they would not be carrying the original Altus as a new one has been designed, but Barrabes said (in their email to me) that it's not as good nor as waterproof as the original. Does anyone know any other location for purchasing these ponchos? I've googled it but can't seem to find it. Thank you so much.
Buen Camino!!!
Ok, I have had the old Altus, pretty good but weighs close to 500 grams, my husband has had the new Altus ( leaks like mad all over and clings, useless,) and last year I bought the lightweight Altus in SJPP and used it in heavy rain, 9 days of it in Switzerland in August and September. My pack stayed dry, I wore a small straw hat with small rim under the hood, great for keeping it out of your face and off your head and I avoided the worst of the condensation by moving my arms in and out of the sleeves, when the rain stopped, I would undo the front and chuck the coat sides over my shoulders, they would dry off then. easy to put the Altus on and take it off if you swing it over the top, I never had to take the pack off to take it off...no rain gear is perfect I found, but at 280 grams this is the best solution in my book, as long as you manage it. If you walk in really cold weather it is not ideal.
Oh and I only ever walk in shorts!
I laughed at umbrellas until I tried one.
Now I won't walk without one.
Not only is it good for rain, but I was probably 15 degrees cooler in the sun than my fellow pilgs.
You can get a nice sturdy umbrella (not a folding one) in Spain for under 10 euros.
I loved mine and was sad when I had to leave it b/c of airplane regs.
I also have two altus ponchos, an old and a newer version.
I like the old one best and agree the new one seems to cause more condensation.
I get around this by leaving it open in the front and using an umbrella if it's really pouring.
You bought the new one. Just wait and get a stick umbrella when you get to Spain. They make really nice ones and they're not too expensive. I loved mine!
Not sure how an umbrella will work with 2 trekking poles which are an absolute necessity for me. I have plenty of opportunities to practice while walking this winter in Portland.
So it does for me. Last May I acquired an Altus poncho, used it one rainy day and decided that it wasn't for me.I carry an umbrella. Works for me.Buen Camino!
My husband and I are planning our first camino on the CF in September 2015. I've read many things about the Altus poncho and decided this was the poncho for me. I contacted Barrabes because all they had in stock was XS. I'm almost 5"10 and the length is too short. Barrabes said they would not be carrying the original Altus as a new one has been designed, but Barrabes said (in their email to me) that it's not as good nor as waterproof as the original. Does anyone know any other location for purchasing these ponchos? I've googled it but can't seem to find it. Thank you so much.
Buen Camino!!!
I did the same thing. It strapped in under my shoulder straps and I had both hands free. I liked the way it worked but may not be for everyone. EdI just put it on my backpack.
I'm confused Gittiharre, I bought the Altus Poncho in SJPdP in the spring of 2012. Mine says Altus Rainseries on the bag, but on the bottom of the bag it says "Atmospheric Light" and I too paid about 40 eur for it. Is this the S3 you are talking about or the one the basic one? I only wore it one day walking up to Orrison so I was very sweaty. I'm not sure if I was wet from sweat or the poncho leaking?I have just discovered the secret re Altus ponchos and why some are useless and others are good!
There are 3 different types, The Rain Series or Basic Poncho, the Athmospheric Poncho 480 grams and the Athmospheric S3 300 grams.
The rain series/basic model is cheapest at around 22 Euro and is useless. clings, you sweat, get soaked inside, don't bother. The S3 is great, it seems to hang away from the body and not cling, it is waterproof and the lightest available, packs up small and costs around 46 Euros. Some shops do not differentiate between the 3 types, they just call it Altus, some offer the Altus on special, beware, it is likely to be the Basic one, so not on special at all!
I have in past posts given scathing remarks about the Altus as I was under the impression that the Basic Altus was the new model, when in fact it is just an el cheapo option.
I have just ordered my second S3 to have in reserve, when my current one gives up the ghost.
Hi happy hikerI'm confused Gittiharre, I bought the Altus Poncho in SJPdP in the spring of 2012. Mine says Altus Rainseries on the bag, but on the bottom of the bag it says "Atmospheric Light" and I too paid about 40 eur for it. Is this the S3 you are talking about or the one the basic one? I only wore it one day walking up to Orrison so I was very sweaty. I'm not sure if I was wet from sweat or the poncho leaking?
Hi sounds like happy hiker has the light S3. If you exert yourself in any rain jacket vortex included you sweat. The S3 is better than the basic. It really does not leak and I manage the climate in it by opening up the front and slipping the arms out whenever possible. It works well that way.Hi happy hiker
I bought same as you in Sjpdp aug2013 cost euro45. Exact description. I just weighed it and very close to 300 grams so I'd say it equates to the S3?
Apart from approx 1 hr out
of Astorga, it was used on the last 1/3rd to Orrison also! And it had the sweat on the inside. I'm pretty certain it wasn't leaking , just felt wet inside. Going up that last bit did generate a bit of body heat though. The straight walking out of Astorga in the rain , no sweat !
Annie
Well I certainly am very anxious to hear how your poncho works out as i would like to order one and have it shipped to me as well. Please keep us posted once you have received and tested it out. Thank you for your post.I found a company in Zaragoza called Ferrovicmar which stocks the Altus Athmospheric S3 for 31 Euros.It is being sent to New Zealand I do hope it is the real thing! Gitti
Thank you Gittiharre and Annie. It's good to know for when I do my next Camino!Hi sounds like happy hiker has the light S3. If you exert yourself in any rain jacket vortex included you sweat. The S3 is better than the basic. It really does not leak and I manage the climate in it by opening up the front and slipping the arms out whenever possible. It works well that way.
Sorry just saw this post now Camino Yogini, I use a spray called Fabsil which is available in the gear shops here, its waterproofs everything, I am sure if you googled fabric sealant or waterproofer you will find an equivelent where you are.Wayfarer, you mentioned waterproofing your rain gear. How did you do that? I bought an Altus Rain Series poncho in SJPdP in 2012 and was fairly happy with it. I only encountered one day of pouring rain that spring -- I was soaked through. But so was everyone else so I didn't suspect a problem.
This past fall, it poured for most of the last two weeks along del Norte and that poncho stuck to me like a cold, wet, clammy second skin. I finally started wearing a garbage bag; it kept my body dry though not my arms. Another peregrina had an Altus poncho that she bought a couple of years earlier and she stayed dry. The fabric was definitely heavier than mine.
So is there a spray or something that I can apply to mine that would make it at least water-resistant? Currently, that poncho is good as a windbreaker but not much else.
Thanks!
Anxious to hear how your Altus worked out delivered to you at home from Spain. I may do the same thing if it worked out well for you. Thank you! EdI found a company in Zaragoza called Ferrovicmar which stocks the Altus Athmospheric S3 for 31 Euros.It is being sent to New Zealand I do hope it is the real thing! Gitti
I followed gittihare's suggestion and ordered two ponchos from Ferrovicmar. Ordering online was simple, although I had to use their "search" feature to find theAltus S3. They accept Paypal so no problems there either. Finally the shipment arrived in less than a week and I am in California. I think the medium-large size is good for anyone over 5'3". Thanks very much gittihare!Anxious to hear how your Altus worked out delivered to you at home from Spain. I may do the same thing if it worked out well for you. Thank you! Ed
We ordered 2 Altus Atmospheric from Peregrinoteca because we couldn't get anything suitable here. Landed here it cost E79 for the 2 and only took 10 days. We have walked in them once in rain as a practise and they were good. Even though it is winter for us we have had no rain so it looks like we will only have the one try out. Buen CaminoAnxious to hear how your Altus worked out delivered to you at home from Spain. I may do the same thing if it worked out well for you. Thank you! Ed
So they didn't charge any postage?We ordered 2 Altus Atmospheric from Peregrinoteca because we couldn't get anything suitable here. Landed here it cost E79 for the 2 and only took 10 days. We have walked in them once in rain as a practise and they were good. Even though it is winter for us we have had no rain so it looks like we will only have the one try out. Buen Camino
I followed gittihare's suggestion and ordered two ponchos from Ferrovicmar. Ordering online was simple, although I had to use their "search" feature to find theAltus S3. They accept Paypal so no problems there either. Finally the shipment arrived in less than a week and I am in California. I think the medium-large size is good for anyone over 5'3". Thanks very much gittihare!
2 Altus Atmospheric cost E49.50 and there was E29.99 in postage = E79.49. www.peregrinoteca.com We wanted to have a training session in them otherwise they would have posted them to an accommodation address in Spain.So they didn't charge any postage?
Sorry to hear that. I was just about to buy from the same place.
So has anyone found a website that sells the Altus Atmospheric S3? And you received it.....and it was?
Last month I acquired the largest possible umbrella in a ferretería (I forgot the previous one in a church) and stayed dry, happy and economically better off. Paid 9 Euros for a 50" (127 cm) wide and 41" (104 cm) tall solid umbrella. No fuss to get protected and easy to carry.
I as well use a trek umbrella and not sure that I would ever use a poncho again.The secret to staying dry in the ALTUS (again) is to keep it open in the front. Otherwise you will sweat and get a lot of condensation inside, and you will THINK the poncho is leaking.
Also, I agree with Fraluchi:
Every year as soon as I get to Spain, I go in search of an umbrella. For €8-€9 I always fine a good stick umbrella which is MUCH sturdier than anything I've found here at home. At the end of the Camino, I usually give it away or leave it rather than mess with trying to check it. But I may bring it home this year if I can find a mailing tube in Santiago.
Walking with the umbrella not only keeps me dry, it keeps me MUCH cooler when walking on the hot days.
Walking in the shade of the umbrella is like sitting under a big tree - cool and breezy - I'm hooked on umbrellas.
And to think I laughed the first time I saw someone using one... only goes to show you CAN teach an old dog new tricks!
Oh. I thought "The rain is Spain falls mainly on the plain." Hahaha. Quote from My Fair Lady.I bought my Altus in SJPdP and had a love/hate relationship with it all the way. It kept me warm and kinda dry in driving rain that hit me in the face. I say kinda dry because there was a lot of condensation. There are no leaks, though. Getting into it wasn't too much of a chore, but, getting it off was not easy. I finally figured out the easiest way was to take my pack off with it. You know that the rain in Spain falls horizontally, don't you
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