If you are planning to spend your next couple of days on the trail, then a good rain gear to protect yourself and your backpack from a quick drizzle have to be one of your major priorities. For this, to date, no other gears have been found to beat the safety and comfort offered by a good rain poncho. The reaches of a rain poncho would be beyond your imagination.
Quick Comparison: Top Rain Ponchos For Hiking in 2019
| # | Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Charles River Apparel Mens Pacific Rain Poncho, Navy | 846 Reviews considered | CLICK FOR PRICE |
| 2 |
|
SaphiRose Unisex Rain Poncho Raincoat Hooded for Adults Women with Pockets(Blue... | 18,231 Reviews considered | CLICK FOR PRICE |
| 3 |
|
FROGG TOGGS Ultra-Lite2 Reusable Waterproof Breathable Poncho | 9,436 Reviews considered | CLICK FOR PRICE |
| 4 |
|
Rain Poncho for Adults (6 Pack) | Drawstring Hood and Elastic Sleeve Ends | 50%... | 1,460 Reviews considered | CLICK FOR PRICE |
**Below, you'll find our expert's reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
More...
What is a rain poncho?
A rain poncho is an outer garment usually used by travelers to protect themselves and their rucksack from the rain. It’s a spacious rain gear made of watertight and lightweight fabrics. It may not have a flattering style, but it’s definitely a great gear to keep the body dry and warm.
Rain poncho VS rain jackets
A durable rain poncho offers close protection to your body. Its large hemline makes it easy for one to put them on during a sudden drizzle. It can cover up to your mid-thigh area. Usually, rain ponchos are windproof, unlike regular rain jackets. So it can be used to keep the body warm, especially during chill night treks. Rain jackets usually get stuffy and give poor ventilation. But rain ponchos ensure excellent ventilation for the wearers. Even while camping; it can be used to cover your stuff from rain as it’s huge in size. Especially during long adventurous hike its imperative to keep your body warm. Also, rain jackets are much heavier than rain ponchos. Hence a lightweight waterproof poncho along with pant is the most preferred rain gear.
How to choose the best rain poncho?
There are certain features which you will have to consider while choosing the right poncho for you.
WEIGHT- Every pound you carry on your back matters when you are hitchhiking. So go only for the best lightweight rain ponchos that do not compromise with its quality. This can reduce a lot of your rucksack’s weight.
SIZE - It’s important to check whether your rain poncho is large enough to give complete coverage to your body and backpack. Also note, too much extra fabric can also cause unnecessary troubles.
WATER-RESISTANCE- Do not forget to check the water resistance of your rain poncho although most of the rain ponchos offer great water resistance. It’s preferred to go for the ones with taped seams and hood so that you can block every possible chance of water entering the poncho. Also, rain ponchos are available in different lengths; you can go for the length that would comfort you the best.
DURABILITY- There are basically two types of ponchos in terms of durability — the disposable ones which are usually thrown away after one or two uses and the long-lasting ponchos. But experts always prefer the highly durable ponchos though they are a little expensive compared to the former. Their fabric can last long for several years as they won’t get easily damaged by continuous use or minimal scratches.
PRICE- Ensure that you invest your money to get the most durable fabric that doesn’t balance out its weight. It’s alright to spend a little for a good lightweight waterproof poncho as it’s going to be a very important gear in your bag pack.
MULTIFUNCTIONAL- The more your rain poncho satisfies different purposes, the more it is useful for extreme outdoor activities. Its always preferred to choose ponchos which can be sued for regular outdoor activities and also during emergency situations while traveling
DISPOSABLE OR REUSABLE- It is always suggested to use reusable ponchos instead of the disposable ones. It's not just about our concern for nature but also reusable rain ponchos are built of very strong and quality materials compared to the former. They are much durable. Hence they won't get easily ripped off, and you can use it for a longer period of time for any extreme outdoor activities. Although the reusable rain ponchos will cost you more than the disposable ones, it's worth the money you invest.
EXTRA FEATURES- There are some details which can make you even comfier and love your poncho a little more. Grommets in the right place, hood, elastic pull tabs, snaps and snips for excellent ventilation
Review of Some of The Best Rain Ponchos for Hiking.
Our #1 Rated
Our #1 Rated
Rated 4.3 out of 5
Features
- It is built of 100% new Englander polyurethane with a 100% polyester knit inner layer
- It comes with attached heat-sealed seams, snack neck, and hood with drawstrings which offer total protection from rain and wind
- The poncho is 52” x 80” in size, weighs 1 pound and comes in a compact, handy pouch
- It is designed to have a side snap closure under arms
- It has got a full-length bottom up under arms zip styling
- It's available in 15 different colors
Pros
- Its hand washable
- It's built of water and windproof fabric
- It can be folded into a small and convenient pouch thus making it easy to carry
- Adjustable drawstrings for the hood
- Highly durable rain poncho
- Lightweight without compromising with the size and thickness.
- The underarms snap closures make undressing easy and quick.
Cons
- No pockets
- The hood size has been found too large for small head sizes.
- Quite a handful of customers have reported low waterproof rating.
Our #2 Rated
Our #2 Rated
Rated 4.5 out of 5
Features
- It's built of 100% polyester with great waterproof polyester backing
- It consists of heat-sealed seams and a big hood for added protection
- It weighs 9.6 oz
- It comes in a matching colored pouch in which it can be folded into a size of 9.8 x 5 inches and makes it easy to carry while hiking
- It has got full-length zipper style closure making it simple to put on and take off
- It consists of a great side pocket for keeping stuff like mobile and other small objects
- It can be used as a temporary rain shelter during emergencies
- It can be used as a sleeping bag to take peaceful naps especially in wet places
- It can also be used as a stretcher in case of health-related emergencies and also as a sack to carry your things properly
- It can be used in any season
Pros
- Extremely waterproof, water resistant and breathable rain poncho
- Dries quickly
- It covers the body till the foot
- It has got loose sleeves
- Adjustable hooded cap
- Multiple uses
Cons
- There are no accurate size ponchos for tall people.
- Many customers have reported about the poor quality of the fabric.
Our #3 Rated
No products found.
Our #4 Rated
Our #4 Rated
Rated 4.5 out of 5
Features
- It’s a one-size-fits-all action poncho made of nonwoven polypropylene
- It consists of a hood with attached drawstring that stops the wind from entering the poncho for added safety and comfort
- It’s perfectly suitable for sporting events, camping or hiking during the rainy season
- It consists of welded seams for added protection
- It comes in a reusable storage bag
- It weighs 8.8 ounces and is 36” x 54” in size
- It can be completely recycled
Pros
- Extremely breathable fabric
- Welded and waterproof seams
- Side snaps
- Adjustable hood
- One size fits most of the adults
- Lightweight
- Water resistant fabric
Cons
- Not very durable
- High chances of getting ripped while unpacking
- Short length
Our #5 Rated
Our #5 Rated
Rated 4.5 out of 5
Features
- It’s a set of 6 vibrant colored ponchos each made out of 50% quality thicker fabric compared to others
- This advanced poncho with an adjustable drawstring hood and elastic sleeves is perfectly designed for hiking, camping, and tailgating
- Each poncho is 2 x 10.5 x 8 inches in size and weighs 75 grams
- The manufacturer offers 100% guarantee on complete cash back for their customers in case if they aren’t satisfied with the product
Pros
- Disposable ponchos
- Great thickness
- Hood is totally resistant to wind and water
- The full sleeves allow you to use your hands freely during rain
- It's 100% waterproof
Cons
- Low breathability
- Flimsy fabric
- Can easily get ripped
Our #6 Rated
Our #6 Rated
Rated 4.5 out of 5
Features
- This ultralight rain poncho is made from 210 T high-density polyester fabrics
- It weighs only 8 ounces yet has multi-uses. You can use it to build a shelter using its reinforced eyelets or use it as a mat
- Its 26 x 8 x 3 in size
- It’s a multi-use poncho specially designed for outdoor activities. It can be used as a raincoat for mountaineering, hiking mat, for fishing and other regular outdoor activities.
- It's constructed to have a waterproof level of PU3000mm
- The seams are sealed to prevent any sort of leakage. Additionally, it has got fewer junctions. Hence there is no possibility of water to enter the jacket
- It has large back fabric which ensures that your rucksack is fully covered and protected
- Its membrane consists of a rip-stop material
- It's available in multi-colors – blue, dark blue, orange and green
- It's suitable for any weather
Pros
- Sturdy and waterproof fabric
- Ultra lightweight and compact
- Multiple uses
- Cuffs on the sides to give more comfort
- Durable
- Consists of extra backroom
Cons
- The head hole is little tight
- Uncovered lower arm area
- Great ventilation
- Fails to give proper hand coverage
- Some customers have reported about condensation during heavy rain.
Our #7 Rated
No products found.
Our #8 Rated
Our #8 Rated
Rated 4.3 out of 5
Features
- This super durable rain poncho is built of 100% rip-stop nylon fabric
- It has got a length of 37 inches and a chest size of 59 inch
- Its backside is lengthier than the front side, hence gives proper coverage to the backpack
- It comes with an attached hood with adjustable drawstring
- Its sleeve ends consist of cuffs elastic
- Its compact design allows putting on the jacket in no time
- It consists of a zipped pocket in the front to keep important small objects like your mobile phones and keys
- It can provide you the comforts of both rain jacket and rain ponchos
- Its most suitable for less aggressive hiking, regular cycling, and walking
- The pack dimension is 2.4 x 1.2 x 0.4 inches.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Waterproof fabric
- Looks like a shirt
- Can easily stuff into its storage bag
- Extremely soft interior
Cons
- Not suitable for very aggressive activities
- Less aeration
Our #9 Rated
Our #9 Rated
Rated 4.2 out of 5
Features
- This multi-purpose rain poncho is made from 210T high-density polyester material
- The fabric has a waterproof index of 3000 mm
- The rain poncho has a length of 59 inches and a width of 55 inches
- It weighs 30 oz
- The overlock is well glued to avoid leakage
- Its hood consists of an overhang that keeps the forehead of the user protected against rain and ensures that water doesn’t enter the hood
- It also consists of cuff buttons with Velcro closure to keep the wrists covered
- It is best suitable for survival, camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, and other outdoor activities
- It consists of grommets at the corners for using it as an emergency shelter
- It is truly easy to wear rain poncho that guarantees total protection of you and your backpack from rain and heavy wind
- It's available in multi colors like black, maple, green and camouflage colors.
- It's head size is adjustable due to the presence of neck zipper
Pros
- Durable
- Waterproof
- Sand proof
- Excellent for emergency situations
- Great breathability
- The pack includes a storage bag.
Cons
- A bit expensive
- A little heavier than other ponchos.
Our #10 Rated
Our #10 Rated
Rated 4.6 out of 5
Features
- It’s a smock style poncho with a cut design specially made for hiking and can be used as an emergency rain gear if needed
- It's built of high-quality waterproof Paratex fabric
- It's built of Sungpak’s exclusive Paratex dry material and consists of fully taped seams for flawless protection
- It consists of an attached hood with adjustable drawstring and thumb loops
- It is designed to have a Velcro map pocket on the chest covered by a storm flap to keep important and quick access things like keys and mobile phones
- The sleeves of the patrol poncho consist of cuffs which are sealed with elastic
- It's available in two colors- black and olive
- It can stuff inside the storage bag into a 3”x 8” package.
- The rain poncho as a whole is 76” x 60” in size and weighs 14 oz.
- The set comes with a storage bag which can be used as a contour pillow too.
Pros
- 100% waterproof
- Lightweight
- Its full coverage protects you from insects.
Cons
- The length will be too much to carry if worn without a backpack.
- A little expensive
How to maintain your rain poncho?
No matter how expensive and of good quality your rain poncho is, it will easily warp if you don’t maintain it well. Following are some simple tips to take care of your rain poncho – if you are giving it a machine wash ensure that the cycle is set to gentle and cold water is used. Usually, handwash is preferred over machine wash. However, check the specifications mentioned on the poncho before washing it and give it for dry cleaning if necessary. You can also dilute the water with a little vinegar and wipe the areas with stain. You should never put your rain poncho in the dryer nor iron it. Always put it under the sun and let it dry. Also try not to take it nearby flames, as certain materials will easily catch fire.
Foot Note!!
Nobody would ever prefer to get all drenched in the rain and reach their travel destination all wet. So, a rain poncho is an inevitable part of your backpack though it may not have a flattering appeal to you. The rain ponchos are much lighter than the regular rain jackets, and hence it's very convenient to put them on and travel. So as mentioned above, try to consider all the important features and get an excellent multipurpose rain poncho. Bad weather should never be a reason to stop you from traveling when you have such great rain gears available in the market.