Exped Bivy Poncho (Closeout)

Ingenious, quality, use; surpass hitek/bux by far
When I first looked at this, I thought it was just a high priced poncho trying 2 b the Swiss Army knife of ponchos. Then I looked a little closer and thought it was 2 heavy. But, I couldn’t find any ponchos made of anything but hitek, hi priced flimsy crap that would rip if you rubbed against a feather, or cheap over sized zip lock bags. Something for both the haves and the have nots. I bought it thinking I could always return it if it didn’t do all it said it could. It does it all and more. Even the pocket it comes in turns into an empty chest pouch inside the poncho to put my bon-bons and ceegars. I can now leave about $700 dollars worth of maybe breathable, not waterproof, sort of water resistant, possibly windproof, etc., big time over-tek, over-priced, over-hyped clothing at home for the Exped Bivy Poncho. Good going Exped! Adin/xxx

The best rain solution?
It's easy to spend incredible amounts of money on rain suits with high tech fabrics that "breathe" or "wick". However, it has to be able to breathe or wick TO somewhere. Furthermore, time often degrades the function as soap, oils and dirt, interfere with fabric performance. Bottom line is ... in high humidity or extremely wet conditions, all the fabric technology obscene amounts of money can buy can still leave you sweaty and clammy. And it will only get worse as times passes and the garment ages. But for top-end ponchos like this one (definately not your grandpa's poncho) , fabric breathability is a non-issue; you have entered the realm of massive ventilation instead. Open at the bottom, the rain runs off the impermeable surface while wind and motion stirs up air currents underneath. Your pack (AND pack straps) are also covered and stay dry. No need for a second pack-cover that ends up leaving straps outside to get soaked, abrading your outer layer (and providing a trail for water to enter your pack contents despite that EXTRA cover). In this poncho, it pretty much feels like you aren't wearing rain gear since your arms are free to move underneath, access pockets safely, etc. You can throw it on in seconds without trying to get your legs/boots down rain pants, then covering your pack, etc. It actually makes treks in the rain a pleasure ... without compromises. By comparison, I feel "sealed in" and constricted while wearing a rain suit, none of which I have really ever been satisfied with on a performance basis. There are snaps down the side of the poncho; the windier it is, the lower you can snap it. You can also cinch it at the waist, for those times you are tromping through gale force winds. The hood seems fine, although I've only tried it briefly. I prefer a rain hat or umbrella since I don't like the "sealed in" feeling of any attached hood. This is a poncho finally large enough for me at 6'2", reaching down to mid shin. Of course, the downside is your legs below that point can get wet; you can expect some stray drops up to your waist, if you are out for hours in very windy conditions. This problem is solved with the matching "Exped Chaps". Together with the poncho, these leg coverings solve the rain problem. Better comfort, functionality and performance at a much better price than rain suits. In a pinch, you can use the poncho as a bivy shelter, ground tarp, sail (!), rain catcher, more. There is a liner available, but I don't have one.

Ingenious, quality, use; surpass hitek/bux by far
When I first looked at this, I thought it was just a high priced poncho trying 2 b the Swiss Army knife of ponchos. Then I looked a little closer and thought it was 2 heavy. But, I couldn’t find any ponchos made of anything but hitek, hi priced flimsy crap that would rip if you rubbed against a feather, or cheap over sized zip lock bags. Something for both the haves and the have nots. I bought it thinking I could always return it if it didn’t do all it said it could. It does it all and more. Even the pocket it comes in turns into an empty chest pouch inside the poncho to put my bon-bons and ceegars. I can now leave about $700 dollars worth of maybe breathable, not waterproof, sort of water resistant, possibly windproof, etc., big time over-tek, over-priced, over-hyped clothing at home for the Exped Bivy Poncho. Good going Exped! Adin/xxx

The best rain solution?
It's easy to spend incredible amounts of money on rain suits with high tech fabrics that "breathe" or "wick". However, it has to be able to breathe or wick TO somewhere. Furthermore, time often degrades the function as soap, oils and dirt, interfere with fabric performance. Bottom line is ... in high humidity or extremely wet conditions, all the fabric technology obscene amounts of money can buy can still leave you sweaty and clammy. And it will only get worse as times passes and the garment ages. But for top-end ponchos like this one (definately not your grandpa's poncho) , fabric breathability is a non-issue; you have entered the realm of massive ventilation instead. Open at the bottom, the rain runs off the impermeable surface while wind and motion stirs up air currents underneath. Your pack (AND pack straps) are also covered and stay dry. No need for a second pack-cover that ends up leaving straps outside to get soaked, abrading your outer layer (and providing a trail for water to enter your pack contents despite that EXTRA cover). In this poncho, it pretty much feels like you aren't wearing rain gear since your arms are free to move underneath, access pockets safely, etc. You can throw it on in seconds without trying to get your legs/boots down rain pants, then covering your pack, etc. It actually makes treks in the rain a pleasure ... without compromises. By comparison, I feel "sealed in" and constricted while wearing a rain suit, none of which I have really ever been satisfied with on a performance basis. There are snaps down the side of the poncho; the windier it is, the lower you can snap it. You can also cinch it at the waist, for those times you are tromping through gale force winds. The hood seems fine, although I've only tried it briefly. I prefer a rain hat or umbrella since I don't like the "sealed in" feeling of any attached hood. This is a poncho finally large enough for me at 6'2", reaching down to mid shin. Of course, the downside is your legs below that point can get wet; you can expect some stray drops up to your waist, if you are out for hours in very windy conditions. This problem is solved with the matching "Exped Chaps". Together with the poncho, these leg coverings solve the rain problem. Better comfort, functionality and performance at a much better price than rain suits. In a pinch, you can use the poncho as a bivy shelter, ground tarp, sail (!), rain catcher, more. There is a liner available, but I don't have one.