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ALTUS PONCHO

JanelMcB

Active Member
Time of past OR future Camino
CF (2018)
Tried my rain gear today in a training walk. Pack cover and pants worked well, but was not happy with the Cabela's gortex jacket. For those of you who have walked using the Altus Poncho, were you happy with it? Did you perspire much with it on? Is this the best poncho option or is there something better?
 
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falcon269 said:
I love my Altus. Yes, it traps perspiration.
Click to expand...
My light-weight shirt was soaked with perspiration after walking, and I was not rushing. Is it that bad with a poncho? I noticed the Altus is longer than most other ponchos. I've read they may be purchased in Spain as they are less expensive there than in France.
 
The Altus is longer than my Packa, which has large underarm zippers to vent heat and moisture. I bought my Altus in Spain, so I am not sure what the price is in France. The price is variable in Spain, but mine was about 35E a few years ago. Unless it is a torrential downpour, I just drape the poncho over my pack as a pack cover, and settle for the dampness of the rain instead of the dampness of condensed moisture inside the poncho. I used a rain suit in the beginning, but it had the same condensation problem, and was difficult to get on and off as the rain came and went. Wearing shorts, I dry very quickly when the shower stops!!
 
Used my Altus in April and May and loved it. It was pretty cool then so not too sweaty but when I did get warm I used the Velcro fasteners only and undid the zip - much better ventilation. I’m short so it kept my legs pretty dry to mid calf dry - no need for waterproof trousers.
 
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Hi. I used my Altus from SJPP to Santiago. Kept me warm, dry and cozy through wind rain hail sleet and snow. Easy to use and lightweight. Highly recommend.
 
Annaluisa said:
Hi. I used my Altus from SJPP to Santiago. Kept me warm, dry and cozy through wind rain hail sleet and snow. Easy to use and lightweight. Highly recommend.
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Easy to obtain at El Pelerin in SJPP. I emailed Jacques and he put one aside. A service he provides. Can purchase along the road
 
I bought my Altus in 2012 when I went on my first Camino and have taken it with me on four more and love it. On the VDLP/Sanabres this March the weather was rainy, snowy and cold, but my poncho kept me warm, dry and cozy. It’s long and I love the fact that it zips all the way from top to bottom. Easy to get on. I do wish it were a little lighter though and it’s next to impossible to get it back into its original stuff bag. I had to swap the bag out for one a tad bit larger.
 
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I use a poncho from Decathlon. They have a range for hiking, cycling and horse riding. The link is:

www.decathlon.co.uk/forclaz-75l-l-xl-rain-cape
( the link seems not to work. Enter poncho on their home page to see the range)
There is a Decathlon in Bayonne. Search for Decathlon Anglet. The hiking ponchos are Euros 15, 20 and 40 depending on quality.
It may be more convenient to pick up an Altus in SJPP though.
 
Either the Frogg Toggs poncho or the Sea To Summit Ultra Sil poncho will be lighter, especially the Frogg Toggs. I use a Zpacks poncho which is among the lightest, if not the lightest, poncho available.

I have used an Altus, and I find that -- as someone who runs on the hotter side of the scale for creating sweat -- I get more condensation with an Altus than with a more traditionally styled poncho. The key to limiting condensation is ventilation. With ponchos in general: with the poncho covering the pack and the person, there is a large amount of air space and air flow. The larger the openings to the arms and neck are, the more positive air flow is created.

I've used my poncho for the PCT and most other backpacking trips and on Camino. I keep it in an easily reachable side pocket on my pack. If it rains, it is easy to reach back, grab the poncho, and slip it on over me and the pack. No need to even stop; just a quick pause while it goes over my head. Taking it off is just as simple and quick. Plus I can make it into a tarp, a sit pad, a space divider when hung between bunks, an emergency cover up,....
 
Get a Spanish mobil number + data while on the Camino
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
I like mine because it is pretty easy to put it on and take it off. When it is raining hard and you have to keep it zipped my shirt is really wet from sweat but my pack stays completely dry. When you stop you will probably feel a chill. But my quick dry shorts seem to dry reallly fast.
For the price I think they work really well
 
 
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