6 Years of Fun in Wet Clothes

Chat:  Shower  Beach  Mud  Stories   Page 22  Home  Be a trendsetter on poolside or beach. Wear stylish clothes when swimming or splashing around.

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Function: Practical large hooded garments which cover you completely, usually without sleeves, but holes for the hands.

Purpose: If you really want ventilation through your rain gear and don't care about how fashionable you look, try a poncho.

You'll find it surprisingly easy to swim in a poncho. However, make sure it can't go over your head at the wrong moment. There are now ponchos available as sun protection made from cotton or spandex. It is a good warm-up and portable changing room. If you have a chance check how waterproof your poncho is. It's beautifully relaxing to sit in your poncho and listen to the raindrops as they fall onto the fabric.

When you get hold of a poncho try this game: Fill the bathtub with water and lots of bubble foam. Then put on only your poncho, nothing else. You'll be in for a massive treat! It feels extremly good when you relax in the foamy bath. Next time you're out in the rain little bubbles will form from the soap that is still in the fabric. Expect some puzzled looks from other people.

The ponchos on these photos are army surplus or hiking ponchos, available from outdoor shops and cost between $40 and $60. Many have an extension for your backpack that folds out when needed.

Ponchos come in many styles, qualities, and features. Some of the best are made of layers of Gore-Tex type breathable but waterproof materials. Since it is wide open at the bottom, this is really not necessary. A simple water proof layer with a strong nylon or cotton backing, a hood with draw string, and corner grommets, is about all you really need.

Get it as big as you can; you may want to use it as a tent. The U.S. issue ponchos are forest camo ripstop nylon with a sprayed on light water proofing. The German ponchos are made of rubberized nylon. Very waterproof, but heavier and not breathable. Cost is about $30.

Most army ponchos have grommet holes in the corners for use as a lean-to tarp or tent. You can get a 'poncho liner' that ties to the grommet holes in the army ponchos and converts them to sleeping bags. Nice. $14 used, $34 new.

Even if all you do is put one of these on and sit on the ground, you are ready for a massive downpour. They serve at least double duty, as a 'rain coat' and 'tent'. There are in the Quartermaster catalog some single person camo tents with bug netting that also convert to a poncho and hammock! Heavy, at 5 lbs, for a poncho, but rather light weight as a poncho, tent, and hammock. Cost a couple of hundred dollar.

Did I mention the warning about being somewhat less then trendy? Hang on, this is going to be real cool soon. I'm getting lots of positive remarks when I wear mine. Are you man enough to carry it off?

One of the BEST alternatives is the Poncho. These come in many styles, qualities, and features. I like the ones used by the U.S. or German army. Some of the best are made of layers of Gor-Tex type 'breathable but waterproof' materials. Since it is wide open at the bottom, this is really not really needed. A simple water proof layer with a strong backing (nylon is nice...), hood with draw string, and corner grommets, is about all you really need. Get it as big as you can... You may want to use it as a tent. The U.S. issue I've seen are forest camo ripstop nylon with a sprayed on light water proofing. The German one I've got is a wet weather poncho. It is rubberized nylon. Very waterproof, but heavier and less breathable. Cost is about $30.

The best will often have grommets holes in the corners for use as a lean-to tarp or tent. Even if all you do is put one of these on and sit on the ground; you are rain, wind and cold resistant. They serve at least double duty, as a 'rain coat' and 'tent'. I got a 'poncho liner' for mine that ties to the grommet holes in the US and German ponchos and converts them to sleeping bags. Nice. $14 used, $34 new.

I have a cheap garbage bag thickness plastic poncho that lives in one of my car packs. Useful for rain and wind, at least. It cost all of about $2. In a pinch, you can make an expedient poncho out of a large lawn/leaf bag or garbage bag. Just cut a head sized hole in it.

I'm currently coveting a single person tent that I saw in the Quartermaster catalog. It is an expensive (couple of hundred dollar) single person camo tent with bug netting that also converts to a Poncho and hammock!. Heavy, at 5 lbs, for a Poncho, but rather light weight as a Poncho, tent, hammock...