My #1 recommended poncho was the Foxelli Reusable Poncho, which is made from durable material, is very waterproof, has a hood visor, and can be converted into a shelter. What more do you need?
In this review, I will reveal to you the best waterproof rain poncho backpacking. Unfortunately, only nine ponchos made the cut as most of them were not that good. I have used ponchos in the past and even build a shelter of one.
When buying a poncho, you need to look at essential features such as the material used to make the fabric and if that material is waterproof enough to withstand heavy rainfall. You also want a poncho that is made from a material that will withstand the elements from the wilderness.
You should also make sure that the ponchos are big enough to cover your backpack as well. Below is a list of some of the ponchos.
Best Waterproof Rain Poncho For Backpacking
- Foxelli Reusable Poncho (Editors Choice)
- Totes Adult Unisex Poncho (Budget-Friendly)
- FROGG TOGGS Ultra-Lite2
- Terra Hiker Poncho
- Galeton Repel Rainwear Poncho (Biggest Poncho)
- Avanto Lifestyle Poncho (Best Multipurpose Poncho)
Let’s start with my #1 recommended product, which is the one from Foxelli.
#1 Foxelli Reusable Poncho (Editors Choice)
- Size: Universal
- Weight: 11 oz
There were many features that we love about this poncho. It has substantial waterproof capabilities, is lightweight, reusable, and is also very durable. What makes it stand out is that it uses 210 tex polyester that is durable and a 3000MM waterproof coating, which is one of the best that you will see.
The poncho is also wide enough to cover a grown adult. If you love to backpack or hike, then it will protect your backpack as well. It is around 47.5” high, 55” from arm to arm and 95” wide. The hood is also adjustable with the help of a drawstring. The visor on the hood will also channel some of the water away from your face.
You can also fasten some of the areas with the help of velcro patches and grommets. There are also several colors available to choose from. You also get a carrying bag in which to store the poncho.
#2 Totes Adult Unisex Poncho (Budget-Friendly)
- Size: Universal
If you are short on a budget, then this poncho will do. It is made from Acetate that is lightweight and good at waterproofing but is not that good for durability. It is a soft material that is also sensitive to high temperatures.
It also comes with a travel bag, which makes it ideal for traveling. You can close the sides of the poncho with the help of the side snaps. It comes in several colors to choose from, which also includes a clear see-through color.
Cons: Acetate is not that durable.
#3 FROGG TOGGS Ultra-Lite2
- Size: Universal
- Weight: 9 oz
Frogg Toggs is very well known for creating some of the best waterproof gear that you can find. You will also find some hunting gear from this brand. The poncho’s fabric is made from Polypropylene that is a synthetic, nonwoven, and lightweight material. It is also excellent at being waterproof and has some durability as well.
This poncho has two layers made from this material, which include an inner and outer layer. The outer layer is waterproof and provides some breathability, while the inner layer is soft to the touch.
It also comes with an adjustable hood that uses a drawstring for tightening. It uses side snaps for closure on the sides, and it also comes with a travel bag. The travel bag makes it ideal for traveling.
Cons: Might not have much resistance against wind
#4 Terra Hiker Poncho
- Size: Universal
- Weight: 11 oz
This product is very similar to that of Foxelli regarding the material that it is using. It also uses 210T polyester and PU3000MM waterproof, which is excellent. Polyester is an excellent insulator that is windproof, waterproof, and is very durable.
It is 43” high and 55” from arm to arm. It is also 87” wide, making it easier to wear while still wearing a large backpack. It makes use of a hoodie that can be adjusted with the help of drawstrings. The neck area can also be closed with neck snaps if you want to prevent any water from seeming through your neck.
It uses velcro closures on the sides, and the eyelets are reinforced with three layers. The grommets can be used along with tent stakes if you want to make a small tent. It comes with a small travel bag and comes in several colors.
#5 Galeton Repel Rainwear Poncho (Biggest Poncho)
- Size: Universal
- Weight: 20 oz
If you want an extra-large poncho for whatever reason, then I would recommend this one from Galeton. This poncho is 59” from arm to arm and also 97” wide. It is a relatively bigger poncho than most of the ponchos listed here.
It is made from Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) material, which has a rubber-like texture. This plastic is very durable and waterproof. The only drawdown is that it might be too heavy and hot for some people.
You also have an adjustable hood that uses a drawstring. It can also be closed on the side with the help of side snaps. It only comes in one color, which is black.
Cons: It might be too hot and on the heavier side.
#6 Avanto Lifestyle Poncho (Best Multipurpose Poncho)
- Size: Universal
- Weight: 10 oz
If you want a poncho that can be used as a picnic mat or a small shelter, then this one from Avanto Lifestyle is for you. It is relatively large with a size of 55” from the sides and also 90” wide. It is big enough for you to keep your backpack dry.
The material is waterproof and also durable. The seams are double sealed, which will prevent any water from leaking through. It also makes use of velcro panels on the sides to which you can close the poncho.
The poncho comes with an adjustable hoodie that uses a drawstring. There are also grommets at the corners, which can pin the poncho to the ground. This is useful if you also plan to use it as a picnic mat or small shelter to protect your gear. It also comes with a carrying bag.
Cons: It only comes in color black, which might make it hotter.
#7 Anyoo Poncho
- Size: Universal
- Weight: 9 oz
This is a reasonably decent poncho you can use for when it rains heavily. It uses 210T polyester, which makes it durable and is also PU3000MM waterproof. It is 55” from each of its sides and is 86” long.
The hoodie that comes with it is very nice. It is adjustable and makes use of a rain visor. The rain visor is essential for keeping running water away from your face. You will also get a carrying bag with the poncho in which to store it.
It can easily be closed in the sides with the help of the side snaps. It also has grommets at the corner, which enables you to pin it to the ground. You will then be able to make a small tent or mat to sit on. It comes in several colors.
#8 Charles River Apparel Pacific Poncho
- Size: Universal
If you want a poncho that looks fancy, you might want to look at this poncho. What makes it stand out is that it is made from .33mm Polyurethane fabric, giving it a leathery look and feel.
This material is also waterproof, durable, and easy to clean. The seams are also heat-treated to further prevent any moisture from leaking through. The size of the poncho is also good. It is 52” from the sides and 80” wide.
It has a hoodie that can be adjusted and has a neck snap that prevents water from running down your neck. The poncho also has side snaps, which makes it easier to connect each side. You will also get a storage bag along with the poncho. There are also several colors to choose from.
Cons: The poncho might make you hot.
#9 Coleman Rain Poncho
- Size: Universal
- Weight: 6.4 oz
The Coleman rain poncho uses a .15 millimeter Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), which almost has a rubber-like texture. It is very tough and durable. It is also a material that is waterproof. The seams are also heat-treated, which makes them more waterproof.
The hood comes with a drawstring which can be adjusted. There are also side snaps that enable you to close the sides of the poncho. You will also find grommets on the edges, making it possible to pin them to the ground.
This feature makes it possible to make something like a small shelter or a waterproof mat. This poncho also only comes in the color green and White.
Tips On How To Choose The Best Poncho For Backpacking
Below I will give you some essential pointers which will make the choosing process more straightforward.
Materials and Durability
The material used will be the determining factor and how durable and waterproof a poncho will be. You want a material that is strong enough to withstand wear and tear. The purpose of a poncho is to stay dry, so you also need something waterproof.
- Polyester: This is a synthetic material that is very durable and waterproof. It is resistant to most chemicals and does not stretch or shrink in size. It is hydrophobic and dries relatively quickly.
- Acetate: This is a soft material that is silky in texture. It absorbs little moisture and dries quickly. The only drawback is that this material is only moderate in durability.
- Polypropylene: It is highly impermeable to water, which makes it ideal for rain ponchos. This material is also solid, with a tensile strength of around 4,800 psi.
- Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA): EVA has a rubber-like texture, which allows it to absorb some of the impact. It is also strong and completely waterproof.
- Polyurethane: This fabric is commonly used to make sophisticated weatherproof clothing with a leather-like appearance and texture. It is also durable enough to withstand abrasion.
The fabrics that are made from these materials can also be treated to improve their waterproof capabilities.
Waterproof
The two most important factors that will make a poncho waterproof are choosing materials that are highly impermeable to water and the poncho coverage. All the materials listed above will be waterproof, and I made sure to select ponchos that will cover your entire body.
So how do you measure the effectiveness of materials when it comes to them being waterproof? It is by using the hydrostatic head test, which measures the amount of water needed in penetrating the material inside of a tube.
It is measured in mm, and several of the products in this list needed 3000mm of water to penetrate the material, which is very good. The seams of the ponchos also need to be treated. It can either be double seamed or treated with heat. You also want a poncho that comes with a hoodie to keep your head dry as well.
Weight
You do not want to wear a poncho that is too heavy, but you also need some weight to hold it down. The wind will drive you nuts if the poncho is too lightweight. You also do not want to carry yourself to death.
The ideal weight for ponchos is between 5 oz to 30 oz. Anything out of this range should be personally analyzed by the person that will wear the poncho. The weight of the ponchos in this review ranged from a minimum of 6.4 oz up to 20 oz in weight.
Size & Coverage
You want the poncho to be big enough to cover your entire body and also your backpack. If the poncho is too big, then you will continuously step on the material, which is not ideal. The size of the ponchos is also universal, meaning that it is a one size fits all type of deal.
For the size, I will look at three measurements, which are as follows.
- Length from arm to arm
- Width
- Height
Below is an image that I created to showcase these measurements.
The arm to arm range was from 52” up to 59”. The width of the ponchos ranged from 90” to 97”. You want to make sure that it is wide enough if you’re going to cover your backpack as well. The height varied between 42” to 47”. I find these heights reasonable. If you still find that your poncho is not keeping your legs dry, then read this article on best waterproof pants.
Breathability
Breathability is the material’s ability to allow hot air to escape from the inside to the outside. This feature will allow you to cool down a bit.
The breathability of the material is not as important when it comes to wearing ponchos. Let me explain my reasoning. The poncho will be open at the bottom, allowing for more than enough hot air to escape your body.
You will only want to wear the poncho while moving in heavy rains where you will not build up heat. If you are out of reach from raindrops, then you might want to take the poncho off.
Adjustability
A poncho needs to be adjusted according to your size and preference. Features such as neck snaps and side snaps are essential to achieve this adjustability. You will have access to one or two neck snaps below the hoodie, which can be used to tighten the area around your neck.
This feature is useful if you want to prevent some of the water from running down your neck. The ponchos must also have side snaps or velcro pads at the sides to which you can tighten the poncho. The poncho will then be more stable on your body, and it will be more comfortable as a result.
Some ponchos can also be turned into small tents or shelters if you use the grommets at each corner. The grommets will allow you to pin the poncho to the ground. You can also use it as a picnic mat. I will explain more in the next section.
Rain Ponchos that Convert to Shelters
Some of the ponchos will have grommets at all four corners of the fabric, which will be reinforced. This feature makes it possible to pin the poncho to the ground with the help of tent stakes. If you are interested in military ponchos then I would recommend this article on best military ponchos.
Military personal commonly use these ponchos to make small shelters to cover themselves or their electronic gear from rainfall. Below is a list of some of the ponchos that have this ability:
These features are quite neat if you plan to go on a backpacking trip. If you are into packpacking, then you should read this review on best rain poncho for backpacking.
FAQ
Q: What is a rain poncho?
An ordinary poncho is an outer garment designed to keep you warm. A rain poncho is made from waterproof material to keep your entire body dry during heavy rains.
Q: Why should you use a poncho?
A poncho is excellent at keeping your entire body dry when it rains. It covers your head, your upper body, arms, and your legs. They are lightweight and can fit into a small carrying bag. You can also use a poncho as a shelter or something simple as a picnic mat.
Q: What is the difference between a poncho and a rain jacket?
A poncho is just a piece of garment that you wear when there is heavy rainfall, and you put it back in a bag when the rain stops. A rain jacket, you can wear all the time. While a poncho will cover your entire body, a rain jacket will only cover your upper body and head while your legs will be exposed.
With ponchos, you will also not overhead because it is open underneath.
Q: Are there any ponchos for survival?
The ponchos listed here are good at keeping you dry but is not as adjustable as survival ponchos. Survival ponchos (also called military ponchos) can convert into a shelter, give you better insulation, used as a water bag, rain catcher, etc.
The Verdict
Some of the problems you will find while searching for ponchos are that some are not even waterproof to withstand light rain. You can easily spot this when a poncho is made from cotton or other non-waterproof material.
Some ponchos are also not durable as the material will tear, and the seams are fragile. Some ponchos are also too heavy and bulky and will not fit into a carrying bag.
The Foxelli Reusable Poncho will solve all of these problems. It has several features that make sure it is waterproof, durable, and lightweight enough to carry with you. It can also be transformed into a small shelter when necessary.
What was your favorite poncho, and why?
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