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Interesting points @LesBrass, I would be interested to know if the smaller size is much shorter. I'm just under 5'2" so it's hard to find a poncho that doesn't trip me up.I bought a cheap one on Amazon for the Camino Ingles this year - it was short and worked OK with waterproof trousers, but it wasn't an ideal arrangement.
Thanks so much for this post, Les. I have an old Altus poncho that a friend who no longer walks caminos has given me. But it's pretty heavy. So I'm interested in the weight more than other things -- you say it's 385 g, but the Vaude website gives two different weights. In the product description they say it's 630 grams, but over on the right side of the same page, they say its boxed weight is .49 k. Both of those numbers are higher than your estimate, so I wonder what's going on. Buen camino, Laurie
2016 Vaude
Just a little update to this post. I ordered another Vaude Poncho but this time a S/M... here are my thoughts
[/QUOTE
Does this open down the front?
If not, the biggest problem I see is heat and then condensation.
I was sweating like crazy when I reviewed that Bluefield poncho, after 5 minutes.
http://caminosantiago2.blogspot.com/2015/12/review-of-bluefield-poncho.html
I like the ALTUS because I can unzip it and get air.
I don't understand the website weights either Laurie - So I got both ponchos out and compared them... the fabrics are actually the same, so I must have remembered wrongly, which is good news.
I've just weighed both on my kitchen scales, which may not be the most accurate? The L/XL weighed 515gm and the S/M 385gm... so neither correspond with the Vaude website?
Hope this helps
Thanks, Les,
I´ve written to Vaude and will let you know if I hear anything back. I can´t remember what my borrowed Altus weighs but I think it´s a good bit heavier.
Not sure if this is helpful to add to the discussion but thought I would offer it just in case.
This is our first camino so can't speak at all from experience, but based on much research we have ordered these ponchos (new design) which will arrive in Australia towards the end of March.
They weigh only 145g but I think it's one size fits all.
Quite expensive at around $90AUS but hopefully they will work well.
http://www.seatosummit.com.au/products/outdoor/ultra-sil-nano-15d-poncho/
What goes around comes around... as they saying goes!
I've spent a few weeks mulling over what my rainproof/coat/warmth solution should be when I walk again in September. I went through the same process in 2014... last year was a short camino and I borrowed an Altus... and this year I want to get it right... if that's possible? I'm not an expert but I thought this might be useful.
2014 - I chose no coat, a Vaude Backpacking Poncho and a North Face Fleece instead of a coat.
The fleece was either too hot or without I was too cool. The Vaude kept me dry, the ventilation was good and kept down sweating but the sleeves were too 'cape-ey' and water could trickle down, it's not as easy to put on as the Altus and I bought the wrong size so it was a bit big.
I did walk in a lot of rain and one day in torrential rain that lasted all day so on reflection the poncho stood up very well and kept me dry.
2015 - I bought a light weight fleece without a zip... the weight was right but I missed the zip! I borrowed an old style Altus. I only every used the Altus for a couple of damp mornings so it didn't have a rain test but it was very easy to put on and I liked it. I dont want to risk the new Altus and I can't borrow this one so I've disregarded the Altus as an option.
2016 - My requirements are waterproof, breathable, light, not hugely expensive and multi-purpose. I've been discounting my old Vaude but having searched and searched for a few days and I've come to the conclusion that actually it did what it was meant to do, and I should keep it. (Actually my husband is having mine and I'm going to buy a smaller one).
- The Vaude stood up to some punishing stormy weather and kept me dry.
- I dont like the sleeves but I am going to adapt them with velcro strips so that can close them to stop rain running down my arms and inside. I can loosen this if I need extra ventilation.
- I bought the wrong size, I didn't realise it's based on height and not clothes size!
- I like to keep my head uncovered, there are various ways to adapt the hood so that you can wear it up or down... my husband likes it up and covering his ears, I prefer to keep my head uncovered. The Vaude does offer this flexibility.
- I'll have to practice putting it on... or ask a friendly pilgrim for some help
- It's not multi-purpose. Mine weighs just over 500gm so not light but it will be my only rain protection/coat. I'll make sure this time I find a lightweight fleece with a full zip.
- It's £60 so not as cheap as some but cheaper than a lot of the waterproof shells
View attachment 23237
As I mentioned I am no expert... and I do look a bit like a pantomime horse in this photo... but I think for me this is the right option. And I hope this little review will help anyone pondering the same questions
Hello - I've had a reply from Vaude... I asked why they were lighter and they have said The technologie allows to produce lighter materials which are still as waterproof as before
Thanks so much for this post, Les. I have an old Altus poncho that a friend who no longer walks caminos has given me. But it's pretty heavy. So I'm interested in the weight more than other things -- you say it's 385 g, but the Vaude website gives two different weights. In the product description they say it's 630 grams, but over on the right side of the same page, they say its boxed weight is .49 k. Both of those numbers are higher than your estimate, so I wonder what's going on. Buen camino, Laurie
http://www.trekkinn.com/outdoor-mou...6MF7foGtVR6EBFb65kGZUhoCyy_w_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
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