No matter where in the world you’re going or what adventure you’re planning next, making sure you pack the necessary items and backpacking poncho can make all the difference in your comfort, warmth, protection, safety, and overall enjoyment of your trip.
We know how critical it is to make sure you have the best backpacking poncho possible, so we have compiled this list of the Top 10 Best Backpacking Poncho’s to make your shopping both easier and more productive!
Whether your focus for buying a good rain poncho is on the best price for medium range quality, best quality backpacking poncho for the price paid, or the cheapest and most disposable backpacking poncho available, we’ve got what you’re looking for – so read on!
Best Backpacking Poncho
Terra Hiker Rain Poncho
The Terra Hiker Rain Poncho is the best value for your money as its affordable and has been reported to be the best value for your money thanks to its quality build, affordable price, efficiency in covering packs, and its overall popularity among backpackers.
Backpackers enjoy the Terra Hiker Rain Poncho because its serviceable and includes notable features like Velcro on both sides, ability to hold off 2.5” of rain or more, and even has adjustable collars to make it more comfortable to wear. For backpacking, the Terra is a good choice, as happy customers reported both proactive customer support and buying more than one poncho for themselves and friends.
This poncho is a great choice for its lightweight build, and customers report good coverage for packs that are up to 50-60 litres. The Terra poncho will hold up against light rai, as well as heavier rain within reason and overall is a good value for your money.
For a good price, this is the perfect backpacking solution and rated highly for the outdoors as being either a primary or backup poncho for long distance traveling. Its total weight of 9 oz is also desirable and optimal for those on a budget.
Baleaf Unisex Rain Jacket
The Baleaf Unisex Rain Jacket and Poncho is a lightweight poncho made from 100% nylon and elastic cuffs which are great for keeping your arms and clothes dry. For this lower-range priced rain jacket and poncho you get a lot of value and is perfect for backpacking through various climates, elevation, and across the country.
Customers rate this as a top choice for those with a “Traveling” lifestyle as it keeps the rain out, will keep you warm, and most importantly dry. The Baleaf has received a lot of positive feedback from happy customers because it also includes a big, convenient back pocket to hold your cell phone or other necessities that you want to access quickly without having to dig into your pack.
Rated as an “upgraded poncho” this affordable product is more customizable than most ponchos you’ll find on the market, has durable, flexible, and practical zippers, straps, and pull cords to adjust the coverage of your back, pack, neck, and cuffs.
The Baleaf jacket poncho is flexible with no resistance and is an inexpensive durable solution that backpackers find helpful. The zipper feature from chin to mid-chest to vent moisture out is also great, making the Baleak a must try!
Sea to Summit Ultra-SIL
The Sea to Summit Ultra-SIL Nano Tarp Poncho is an all-season solution to rough weather from wind to rain, and perfect for backpackers frequently trekking up the mountains, adventuring the roads, and dealing with harsh rain and thunderstorms.
Customers call the Sea to Summit Poncho a high quality, durable, medium to premium price both dependable and reliable and a great investment for your money if you’re looking for a long-term, multi-use solution. With adequately enforced tie outs this poncho is one of the strongest and most reliable on our list!
This poncho also serves as a camping tarp, perfect for covering your gear, laying down on the ground, or wearing as its been designed for multi-use! It provides excellent coverage as a poncho and is top rated for both breathability and lighter weight than advertised which is a nice touch for many.
The snaps are of good quality, and the location of its tighteners and snaps just makes sense – showing that the manufacturer took time to understand and provide what backpackers look for and need in a poncho.
Therefore, given the craftsmanship, well-made, durable hood, and rear-drawstrings among other bonus features customers have reported it to be well worth the investment – and definitely worth checking out.
Charles River Apparel
The Charles River unisex poncho is a top rated, affordable pick among backpackers for its quality, ergonomic design, strong materials, flexibility, and ability to keep users warm.
If you’re seeking a good combination of nice quality and solid feedback from customers, then this is an ideal solution. This poncho is made from breathable material that dries fast, is reported by customers to flexible enough to sit down cross-legged comfortably, and in turn worth the price for what you get.
This poncho comes with a storage pouch, is great for long trips, lasts a long time, and the material has excellent elasticity. One customer even reported success after walking 1 mile in the pouring rain and reported both comfort and no moisture or excessive sweat and discomfort problems.
The Charles River poncho is also rated as being quite stylish and even women were happy in using this poncho outside of backpacking – such as at concerts or trekking long distances in bad weather.
The waterproof rating and results for this tough backpacking poncho are great and if you’re in an area or backpacking places where it rains frequently is a must have product.
Helikon-Tex Swagman Roll Poncho
The Bushcraft line is extremely well established in the trekking and outdoors line of clothing and supplies-accessories. The insulation in the Heikon-Tex keeps the air pocket around you warm as its engineered to be both lightweight and effective.
It is also available in various colors and themes, which means you can spend your money investing in a poncho that fits your personality. This poncho is also perfect for larger, wide, or taller men which is a plus and the dead-air space it creates is said to increase your comfort by 100%.
This poncho is also recommended by Military 1st – which says a lot – and is a popular choice among both active duty military and military veterans. The included Apex Climashield design is a primal choice for serious backpackers and this poncho is easy to zipper away into your bag.
It also has multiple “forms” or uses, including making a shelter to keep try, protecting your pack, laying down as a tarp, and also as a “night roll” or makeshift sleeping back to keep you warm and protect you from rain and wet snow.
The Helikon-Tex poncho is also highly recommended for anyone backpacking up north.
Lingito 20 Pack of Family Rain Ponchos
The Lingito 20 pack of ponchos is an affordable option for backpackers and their friends. Available in a 20 pack for a very affordable price, this is a popular choice among families as well, providing a good fit for children and adults alike. Customers reported the as being a good size and they enjoyed the variety of color options available.
These ponchos are well made, can be stored anywhere thanks to their compact size and design, and are great as an emergency or backup poncho. Happy Customers also reported the Lingito to be reliable for both occasionally thunderstorms and heavy rains, which shows these ponchos are reliable enough to stand up to heavy rain – even at a very low price point.
One customer even reported this affordably priced poncho set holding up in torrential rains which shows that price doesn’t always necessarily indicate the total value of reliability or quality – and we don’t want you having to spend more than you have to!
Som if you’re looking for disposable and 100% waterproof ponchos these are a great choice and even come with an adjustable neck flap which is often only seen with premium ponchos. Great for both children and adults these are a good choice for any backpackers on the go!
Snugpak Patrol Poncho
The Snugpak Patrol Poncho is a smock-style military designed poncho that’s popular for its durability, holding up against long or frequent storms, and its sleek design that ensures water beads right off the fabric and you stay both dry and warm.
This poncho also has good in-section protection and full coverage, has helpful thumb holes in the sleeves which helps stop them from riding up, or causing discomfort and getting you wet during your backpacking adventures!
While in comparison to other ponchos the Snugpak dries a little slow, it is understandable because of the durable, high-quality high-performance design and materials used. The Snugpak is also the perfect backpacking poncho choice for big guys (200lbs+) and tall (6.0” +) men.
While a little heavy in comparison to some of the lighter models mentioned above, it’s also certain sure to keep you drier, hold up much longer against both rain and wind, and is rugged against outdoor obstacles or objects that may tear a cheaper or lighter poncho.
Overall the Snugpack backpacking poncho is a good investment of your money into an affordably priced poncho made from both durable and reliable material, and popular in positive praise from fellow backpackers.
SaphiRose Rain Poncho Jacket
The SaphiRose backpacking poncho is stylish, made from a thin, breathable material, and popular among both men and women. Each arm is made with 3 different snaps for flexibility in adjusting and finding the perfect fit for you.
This poncho is also available in a wide range of colors which customers like and is one of the best rated hooded ponchos you’ll find for backpacking and the outdoors.
For an affordable price, this lightweight and soft poncho is a good investment and the zip up the front feature is both unique and very important when trekking or backpacking giving you easy access and making it easier to put the poncho on or take it off quickly as needed.
Sold only as a universal size, the SaphiRose backpacking poncho will keep you warm and dry, holds your body heat when it’s cold, and is a great, affordable and portable solution or backup poncho for your travels. The neckline also received good feedback from happy customers and is high, so it keeps the water out, unlike other, cheaper ponchos.
Overall this is a very portable, lightweight poncho that can be thrown over any clothes, so you can adjust your temperature accordingly and be more comfortable on your next backpacking adventure.
KASU: Emergency Rain Ponchos
KASU 5 pack emergency rain ponchos are ideal for backpackers that find themselves traveling for longer periods of time and going through ponchos, those that travel with friends, and loved ones. The plastic material of these backpacking ponchos is light but durable enough to hold up for at least one use – as they disposable after one or two uses.
Rated overall as being durable and comfortable, you can never go wrong with having extra backup ponchos for your next outdoor backpacking journey, and for the affordable price paid experienced backpackers were satisfied with the performance, reliability, and ease of using the KASU – which even includes drawstrings for adjustments. You can also hang these to dry in an emergency situation and use them again under most circumstances.
The KASU poncho is very easy to pack in a small bag, or simply throw in your pocket. A cheap, practical backpacking poncho solution that’s both repackable and disposable.
Coghlan’s Emergency Poncho
The Coghlan’s Emergency Poncho is a product most people should be familiar with as it’s available in most major department stores in their outdoor gear and accessories or camping section.
This is a very simple, cheap, but effective and reliable emergency poncho that backpackers are encouraged to consider buying just so that they always have an extra few ponchos in case of emergency, or in the situation that they would like to use these affordable, strong ponchos for something else like covering gear or laying down as “tarp.”
These backpacking ponchos are easy to fold up and put away, great for bug-out-bags (BOBs), are thin, will keep you cool on your journey, and comes exactly as its described. The Coghlan’s ponchos are reusable and are also made from polyethylene which is nice as it is recyclable and better for the environment.
There’s also no plastic smell which seemed to keep customers and backpackers happy with this poncho. Overall this is a simple, and most affordable backpacking poncho we have listed on our Top 10 Backpacking Ponchos list.
Best Backpacking Poncho Product Buying Guide
If you’re looking for the best poncho for backpacking whether disposable or reusable, these are some important factors to consider first; including cost, value, and quality.
A disposable hood, for example, is not a feature included with every backpacking poncho, therefore this is something important to think about and whether you will need – or if you have your own hood and rainproof hat. A good backpacking hoody should also have a drawstring or elastic string to adjust the collar, sleeves (or buttons), and sleeve design is equally important.
Depending on the distance and frequency of your backpacking adventures, reusable material is also important. Also, how many millimeters its material thickness is (see: “PE” plastic), whether it’s recyclable (for those who are “environmental-friendly”), and color for visibility or sun protection.
Other considerations and things to look for when choosing the best backpacking poncho are:
- Watertight and lightweight fabrics to keep your backpack and gear dry
- Close protection to your body and temperature preservation – to keep you either warm or cool during backpacking
- Dryness, dry-proof rating, and level of ventilation desired versus actual design
- Weight size (in oz) to prevent unneeded or undesirable added weight to your pack and gear
- Multi-functional ponchos that can be used for other purposes such as emergency tarp or shelter
- Added functionality and flexibility including pull tabs, snaps, snips, ventilation, and grommets
- Individual design, and build quality for long-term durability and use
- A soft, tolerable and regulated interior to maintain comfort and prevent itching or overheating
- Sand and dirt or dust-proof technology for rough backpacking
- Coverage from insects and mosquitoes or bites when backpacking through trails
- Wind-Proof rating to keep you warm and safe
- Whether a poncho is washable and if this is a desired feature of your backpacking needs
- How many pockets you need versus how many pockets a poncho has which will fulfill your needs for accessorizing
- Hood size and waterproof rating
- What specific material or thickness is used to make a poncho, if it’s easy to rip, its breathability, rip-stop material, sealed seams, or waterproofing rating such as PU 10,000-30,000 MM
- Single season or multi-season design; such as the Sea to Summit Ultra-SIL Nano Tarp Poncho
- Ease and speed to put on or take off your poncho
- Is the backside longer than the front side?
- Aeration amount and what you desire given your walking habits, speed, and durability necessary
- How fast a poncho dries and can be stored for use later on
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best backpacking poncho liner?
The Snugpak Patrol Poncho is the most ideal backpacking poncho liner solution because it is made of durable, high quality and high performance designed materials and serves multiple purposes including shelter, a tarp for covering your gear, and tarp for sleeping on.
What is the best survival poncho?
The Charles River poncho is the best survival poncho as its durable and reliable thanks to its heat-sealed seams, extended length and protection, coverage, flexibility, waterproof design and windproof capabilities – keeping you both warm and cool as the climate changes.
How to choose the RIGHT poncho?
Deciding which poncho is the best to buy for backpacking means you find a medium between your budget, the quality you require, whether you want a disposable or reusable poncho, size, fit, material, and flexibility are all factors to consider.
What is the difference between poncho and raincoat?
The major differences between a poncho and a “raincoat” are the shape, style, and often reusability of one type of rain product over the other. That is to say, that ponchos are most commonly associated with being disposable or for short-term use, while raincoats are associated with a higher pricetag, but also to be more tailored to fit your body and specific needs or preferences such as temperature, climate, style, and fit.
Which backpacking poncho is BEST for me?
Consider whether you prefer to get the most bang for your buck by paying a lower price for your backpacking poncho, a premium price for solid quality such as the Helikon-Tex Swagman Roll Poncho, Bushcraft Line, are simply looking for cheaper, yet reliable and durable ponchos like the Lingito 20 Pack of Family Rain Ponchos, or are willing to pay a premium price for a very reliable, flexible, multi-use and tested and tried backpacking poncho like the Sea to Summit Ultra-SIL Nano Tarp Poncho which has the positive feedback and reviews to backup its larger price-tag.
Whatever choice you make, be sure to take into consideration which features are most important to you, such as size, style, fit, and waterproof rating – and order today!
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