Poncho convert

[JohnnieWalker]

I've been meaning to report that on the last section of the VdlP I walked a couple of weeks ago I decided to take the advice of many on this forum and try out a poncho. The weather forecasts were pretty grim - heavy rain showers and thunderstorms but certainly not cold. I have a rain suit I wear for winter walking in the UK and elsewhere - jackets with zipped armpits for ventilation and a hood that ensures visibility by keeping rain off the specs plus waterproof trousers fully zipped in the legs so that they are easy to put on with boots. It is windproof and an excellent outer layer when the weather is rough. It was a serious investment and so I was reluctant to give it up. But for the modest sum of £16 in an army surplus store I got a poncho. What a wonderful invention it turned out to be! For the spring showers I experienced albeit heavy at times it was ideal - keeping me and the rucksack dry as well as cool. I'm a convert
Of course I still believe in the right equipment for the appropriate season but I couldn't have predicted how enthusiasitic I would be about the poncho - which also made an excellent groundsheet for an impromtu picnic on the banks of the Rio Esla...thanks!

 

[NB Kevin]

Thanks for the affirmation, John.
I "test drove" my poncho for the first time yesterday in the pouring rain in preparation for my late August Camino, and I am now a convert in spite of having previously been a bit dubious about the poncho/jacket question.

BTW, my friend Bruce just returned to New Brunswick after completing the VdlP about 10 days ago.

Kevin

 

[Anonymous]

Exactly - perfect! And you don't sweat or overheat and there is that wonderful feeling of freedom too (and you can scratch!) I think they are great - and a cape for cycling is the same, so much better than a rainsuit. Actually, a cycling cape also has two loops for putting your thumbs through.

Agree though, not quite the thing for Everest