This winter, I had the chance to check out the Zpacks Groundsheet Poncho, an revolutionary piece of substances that doubles as each a poncho and a groundsheet, providing ultralight safety whenever you’re on the transfer. Weighing simply 5.9 ounces and constructed from Dyneema Composite Material (DCF), this poncho is designed for the minimalist backpacker who needs to remain dry with out including pointless weight to their pack.
Zpacks Groundsheet Poncho At a Look
MSRP: $249
Weight: 5.9 oz.
Dimensions: 52″ x 90″ (132 cm x 229 cm)
Sizing: One Particular person
For the reason that poncho doesn’t attain all the best way to the bottom, I’d advocate pairing it with rain or wind pants for trails with chilly rain (I’m you, CDT).
Meant Use
Zpacks markets the Groundsheet Poncho as the right answer for ultralight hikers who want versatile, all-weather safety. It’s a hybrid between a rain poncho and a groundsheet, providing waterproof protection throughout wet days whereas additionally offering a dry spot to sit down or sleep when it’s time to arrange camp.
Whereas it isn’t the most suitable choice for chilly, wet circumstances (you’ll need to pair it with rain pants or a rain kilt for extra protection), it’s a terrific instrument for gentle to reasonable climate, offering glorious waterproof safety whereas conserving weight to an absolute minimal.
Circumstances of Overview
I examined the Zpacks Groundsheet Poncho within the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the place the February climate introduced a mixture of snow and rain. It was the right surroundings to see how the poncho carried out in variable climate circumstances.
Zpacks Groundsheet Poncho Options
Versatile Design: The Zpacks Groundsheet Poncho is actually a two-in-one instrument. In poncho mode, it retains rain off your physique, and in groundsheet mode, it supplies a water-proof barrier between you and the moist floor.
Sturdy Dyneema Composite Material (DCF): DCF is a game-changer within the UL material world. It’s waterproof, extremely sturdy, and light-weight. No coatings or probably dangerous chemical compounds are added to the material, making it a protected and dependable selection for anybody involved about environmental impression.
Fitted Hood with Visor: The poncho features a fitted hood with a visor that does a terrific job of conserving rain off your face. This can be a considerate addition for anybody who’s used to having water trickle down whereas carrying a typical rain jacket. Whereas it’s not as enclosed as a full jacket, the visor helps deflect water away out of your face, conserving issues dry even in heavier rain.
Waterproof Zipper for Venting: A water-resistant zipper on the neck helps you to regulate air flow on hotter, muggy days, stopping you from overheating. It’s a helpful characteristic that enables for airflow whereas conserving the water out, and the zipper provides flexibility when the climate is inconsistent.
Aspect Zippers for Wind Resistance: With half-length separating zippers at all sides, the poncho ensures that the perimeters gained’t blow open within the wind. This characteristic retains the poncho secure in gusty circumstances, which is particularly helpful whenever you’re climbing in uncovered areas.
Elastic Waist Belt: The elastic belt on the waist lets you cinch the poncho round you, serving to entice heat when wanted. If it’s a hotter day, you possibly can go away it unfastened for higher airflow. Both manner, you could have management over how comfortable or ethereal you need your protection to be.
Totally Taped Seams: Zpacks makes positive no water sneaks in by totally taping the seams. This eliminates the necessity for added seam sealing, saving you effort and time throughout setup.
Not solely are the seams sealed, however all openings (head and each arms) are in a position to be fully zipped shut when in “groundsheet mode,” making the groundsheet leak-proof.
Utilization
Now that we’ve coated the options, let’s dive into how the poncho performs in real-world circumstances.
Climate Resistance
The Zpacks Groundsheet Poncho shines as a light-weight different to bulkier rain gear. It covers you nicely in gentle to reasonable rain, however with out the total protection of a jacket, your arms will possible get moist in heavier downpours. That stated, it’s designed to cowl you from head to mid-thigh (together with your pack!), so it’s ideally suited for adventures in areas with milder climate.
In the event you’re searching for one thing that can preserve you totally dry in colder, extra excessive climate, you’ll need to pair this poncho with different gear like rain pants or a rain kilt. For me, this meant I may comfortably hike by means of gentle rain with out feeling too scorching or slowed down by extra gear.
As anticipated from DCF, the Poncho excels in shedding water. On my check hikes, it held up nicely towards rain, conserving me dry with out soaking by means of. The waterproof zipper was particularly useful in permitting me to ventilate on hotter days whereas conserving the rain out. In heavier, sustained rain, I’d have appreciated a bit extra protection for my arms, however for many of my journeys, the poncho was greater than sufficient.
Setup
In poncho mode, the setup is extremely easy. Merely pull it over your head and regulate the elastic waist to your liking. In groundsheet mode, it’s simply as easy to put it down and use it to sit down or sleep on. On the finish of the day, that is only a well-cut piece of waterproof material; it’s quite simple to make use of.
I’ve used this poncho as a groundsheet below a tent (it labored nice) and as a base for cowboy tenting (it labored nice).
Packability
One of many biggest options of the Groundsheet Poncho is its ultralight packability. At 5.9 ounces, it compresses down into an extremely small bundle that may match simply in your pack.
Whenever you’re making an attempt to reduce each ounce, this poncho supplies nice versatility with out taking over a lot room or weight, and it lets you make more room in your pack by eliminating the now-redundant groundsheet and rain gear.
Zpacks Groundsheet Poncho Professionals
Ultralight: Anybody making an attempt to chop the load of their pack can attest that the 2 finest gear selections you may make are leaving the gear at dwelling and discovering objects which are multi-use. The Poncho totally checks the second field! The mixed weight of my earlier groundsheet and raincoat was 18 oz, and I’ve now lower that right down to a 3rd of the load.
Sturdy and Waterproof: Constructed from DCF, the poncho is each waterproof and sturdy. You’ll be able to depend on it to maintain you dry in most circumstances with out worrying about put on and tear.
Ease of Setup: The poncho/groundsheet is fast and simple to deploy. No difficult setup is required, which is ideal whenever you’re trying to save time and power.
Compact and Packable: The small pack dimension is likely one of the standout options, making it straightforward to hold alongside in your journey with out including bulk. The poncho/groundsheet matches completely in my pack the place my Tyvek beforehand sat, and I’m able to take away my raincoat fully. A internet lower in pack bulk!
It could not 100% substitute my rain gear for colder trails, however as a result of it covers my pack, it could actually substitute each my heavier Tyvek and my pack cowl/liner. For shorter hikes, or for hikes with hotter rain, it can additionally substitute my rain gear.
Zpacks Groundsheet Poncho Cons
Restricted Protection: Whereas it supplies glorious protection for the torso, the brief sleeves will trigger your arms to get moist throughout a heavy downpour. It’s not ideally suited as a standalone piece of rain gear for colder circumstances.
Uncovered Legs: Protection solely extends to mid-thigh, which means your legs are nonetheless uncovered to rain. Pair it with rain pants or a kilt for added safety if crucial. Personally, I’ll nonetheless be bringing alongside my rain pants to pair with this setup.
Value: Time to handle the elephant within the room: this can be a $250 piece of waterproof material. The associated fee could be exhausting to justify for these on a finances or those that solely want primary rain safety. For some, it might really feel like an funding that doesn’t provide sufficient extra performance in comparison with extra reasonably priced options.
For me, I have a look at this as a high-end, ultralight rain jacket, lots of that are in related value ranges. Solely you possibly can determine if that is the correct funding to your gear setup.
Would I Suggest It?
In the event you’re an ultralight hiker who enjoys the simplicity of minimalist gear, the Zpacks Groundsheet Poncho is a improbable possibility. It might not be appropriate as your sole rain safety in colder or wetter circumstances, however for light-weight journeys in gentle circumstances, it really works superbly. Its packability and flexibility make it a worthwhile funding for anybody trying to lower down on gear weight whereas nonetheless having dependable safety when the climate turns, although some understandably might not be prepared to justify the value tag.
Would I apply it to the Appalachian Path? In all probability not as my solely rain gear, however it could positively make a terrific addition for lighter journeys or together with different rain gear (like rain pants or a kilt).
Right here’s to many dry and comfortable nights forward!
Store the Groundsheet Poncho
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The Zpacks Groundsheet Poncho was donated for objective of overview
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