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As all of us outdoor enthusiasts know, the weather can be very unpredictable. At one point or another, you’ll get caught in a shower and will need some protection. However, most hikers don’t like bringing an umbrella, and a rain jacket can be cumbersome (unless you know it will rain all day). So, what should you do?
A rain poncho is a great option. It’s lightweight, compact, and incredibly easy to pack. It fits easily in any backpack and, unlike an umbrella or a jacket, it doesn’t require much space. And when it starts raining, a poncho is guaranteed to keep you and your gear dry.
While they are relatively simple in design, there are still some differences between them (materials, extra features, weight). To make things clearer, we created a buying guide with advice on how to pick out the best rain poncho for your type of activity. But first, take a look at some excellent ponchos we picked out for you.
OUR TOP PICK
Saphirose Hooded Adult Rain Poncho
- What Makes This Hiking Poncho Stand Out
- Full-length zipper closure
- PU improves the waterproof rating
- Heat-sealed seams
- Large hood with elastic drawstring
- Over 40 color patterns to choose from
- Color-matched pouch included
- One size fits all
Material: Polyester
Length: 37.4 inches (front), 41.3 inches (back)
Width: 57.1 inches
Weight: 9.6oz
Packed Size: 9.8 x 5.9 inches
EDITORS CHOICE
Terra Hiker Waterproof Rain Poncho
- What Makes This Hiking Poncho Stand Out
- PU waterproof coating
- Adjustable cuffs with Velcro
- Covers up to 60L backpacks
- Doubles as a tarp or rain cover
- Three-layer eyelets for secure staking
- Highly water resistant
Material: 210T Polyester (with 3000mm PU coating)
Length: 43 inches
Width: 55.1 inches
Weight: 10.9oz
Packed Size: 8 x 3 x 2 inches
BEST VALUE
KASU Disposable Rain Poncho
- What Makes This Hiking Poncho Stand Out
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Five ponchos in the package
- Disposable after use
- Easily fits a backpack inside
- Adjustable drawstring hood
- Made with high quality waterproof material
Material: Polyethylene
Weight: 8.8oz (5 pieces)
Foxelli Hooded Lightweight Rain Poncho
- What Makes This Hiking Poncho Stand Out
- Long front zipper for easier use
- Velcro side straps for better protection
- Steel grommets for using as a tarp
- Premium tear-resistant material
- Money-back guarantee
Material: 210T Polyester (with 3000mm PU coating)
Length: 47.5 inches
Width: 55 inches
Weight: 11oz
Packed Size: 9 x 3.5 inches
Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 Waterproof Breathable Rain Poncho
- What Makes This Hiking Poncho Stand Out
- Ultralight materials
- Compact when packed
- Very affordable
- Adjustable hood
- Welded seams
- One size fits all
Material: Nonwoven Polypropylene
Length: 40 inches
Width: 52 inches
Weight: 9oz
Charles River Apparel Men’s Pacific Rain Poncho
- What Makes This Hiking Poncho Stand Out
- Underarm snap closure
- Heat-sealed seams
- Excellent material strength
- Snap buttons on the collar
- Safe for hand washing
Material: Polyurethane
Length: 40 inches
Width: 52 inches
Raines by Totes Adult Unisex Rain Poncho
- What Makes This Hiking Poncho Stand Out
- Lightweight and easy to pack
- Pullover design
- Side snap buttons
- Adjustable hood
- Comes in a carry pouch
Material: Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)
Weight: 8oz
Packed Size: 8 x 5 x 1 inches
4ucycling Lightweight Rain Poncho
- What Makes This Hiking Poncho Stand Out
- Large zipper for quicker and easier use
- Zippered chest pocket
- Rip-stop polyester for better durability
- Elastic cuffs give improved protection
- Lightweight and easy to pack
- Highly water resistant
Material: Rip-stop Polyester
Length: 37 inches
Width: 59 inches
Snugpak Patrol Rain Poncho
- What Makes This Hiking Poncho Stand Out
- Zipper neck closure
- Fully waterproof with DWR coating
- Cuffs with thumb loops
- Fits over a backpack
- Fully sealed seams
Material: Polyurethane (with DWR coating)
Length: 56.7 inches
Width: 52.7 inches
Weight: 13oz
Packed Size: 8 x 4 inches
Opret Portable EVA Rain Poncho
- What Makes This Hiking Poncho Stand Out
- Full-length snap button closure
- Environmentally friendly materials
- Hood with drawstrings
- Excellent price
Material: Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)
Length: 45.2 inches
Width: 49.6 inches
Weight: 6.4oz (2 pieces)
How To Choose A Rain Poncho – Buying Guide
A reliable rain poncho is very useful to have when the weather takes a turn for the worse. It packs really small so everyone can keep one in their backpack, and it’s incredibly easy to put it on – just pull it over your head. As long as you keep a few things in mind when choosing, finding the best backpacking rain poncho won’t be hard. Take a look.
Size and Fit
Rain ponchos usually come in one universal size. Because of this, you need to pay more attention to the specified model dimensions and see if a particular model is a good fit for you. While some will only reach waist height, others go below the knees and give you better protection. In any case, if you’re expecting rain on a hike, we would advise that you wear some rain pants too.
Unlike jackets and coats, rain ponchos don’t have a snug fit making them very comfy to wear. The best rain ponchos are long enough not only to cover yourself but your backpack too. This way you won’t have to buy a backpack rain cover separately, and your gear will stay protected.
Materials and Waterproofing
The main requirement for any waterproof poncho is to be fully waterproof. Depending on the model and manufacturer, many different materials are used to make them, with polyester, nylon, and EVA (plastic) being the most common.
Polyester is most common in reusable rain ponchos because it offers an excellent balance between lightweight and great water protection. Nylon rain ponchos are a bit heavier, but also tougher and more durable. It’s a plus if you get a poncho made from rip-stop materials (especially for camping and hiking) since it won’t tear as soon as you touch a branch.
Plastic is also common, especially for single-use ponchos. EVA (Ethylene-vinyl acetate) is the most common choice because it’s very cheap and great to make a waterproof poncho. However, it has reduced breathability so you can get sweaty inside. Also, it’s fairly easy to tear.
Weight
One of the main reasons people choose rain ponchos as rain protective gear is their lightweight. This makes them easily portable and convenient to have in your backpacking backpack even if you’re packing light. However, there are some differences here too.
Type
There are two main types of rain ponchos – disposable and reusable. As we mentioned earlier, disposable ponchos are made of plastic to be thrown away after one use. Their advantage is that they are incredibly cheap and offer good protection. However, durability is a big issue here. So, if you want a waterproof poncho for hiking, you should get a higher-quality model.
Additional Features
As you can see, every backpacking poncho comes with a hood. However, it’s very convenient if the hood has drawstrings to tighten it, allowing you to keep your head dry. Also, having snap buttons or Velcro straps on the sides is a huge plus because they prevent the poncho from moving too much and rain from getting in.
Pockets are also very useful to have if you need something close at hand. They are located either on the sides or on the chest, and you should look for a model with zippered waterproof pockets to make sure your valuables stay dry. Even though a true poncho comes without sleeves, some of these models are designed as poncho/raincoat hybrids to bring you the best of both. If you want one with sleeves, get a model that has elastic and adjustable cuffs.
FAQs
Q: What Is a Poncho?
A poncho is a type of clothing that resembles a blanket with a hole in the middle. Its main purpose is to protect you from cold or, in this case, water. It allows excellent freedom of movement, while still keeping you and your belongings dry. Only waterproof materials are used for making rain ponchos, and they are very valuable if you are caught in a downpour.
Q: What Are The Benefits Of Using A Rain Poncho?
There are many benefits of using a rain poncho – it’s light, fully waterproof, easy to pack, and won’t ruin your budget. It takes up less space than an umbrella or a rain jacket, and protects your gear too. Also, unlike an umbrella, a rain poncho for backpacking won’t break in the wind.
Q: Rain Jacket Or Rain Poncho - Which One To Choose?
This really depends on your needs. A poncho costs less, weighs less, and is much easier to bring with you. Some models can even double as tarps or rain shelters. Because they have a loose fit, they fit easily over your backpack too.
Rain jackets, on the other hand, are a much better choice if you need protection all day. They have a better fit (no place for wind or water to get in) and are much more durable. They are also larger and heavier. Which of these two you should bring when hiking depends on the weather forecast as well as your personal preferences.
Globo Surf Overview
Having so many different models to choose from can make a small confusion. Even though they are not overly expensive, you still want to buy a poncho that will keep you dry and give you what you expect for your money. We hope our guide has helped you a bit in finding the best waterproof poncho, so you have proper protection on your next adventure. And even if you’re very good at predicting the weather, you’ll be glad to have it if it suddenly starts to rain.
