The best rain ponchos to keep you high and dry

Arcturus is a company that creates specialized outdoor survival apparel including wool blankets, ghillie suits, and ponchos in particular. It’s a focus that seems to work because it’s managed to create high-quality, lightweight, yet durable rain gear that is very well-priced.

This poncho is available in several colors, including woodland camouflage, and it is designed to protect all of you from the rain. With a generous 48-inch length (front and back), it will easily protect all your legs past the knees for all but the tallest of people. Made of durable 210T ripstop nylon, the shell feels thin and light, and the double-layered polyurethane coatings ensure it remains waterproof.

The sides have three buttons to help close and keep out the wind and heavy rain (although some purchasers have stated that, because of this poncho’s size, strong winds can get in through the sides, so you may want to add some Velcro to cinch the sides closed a little more securely).

A neat feature of the Arcturus poncho is that you can buy optional “rapid shelter poles,” which fit into the shell’s grommet holes to create a standalone shelter. This is a luxury option, however, and if you don’t want to spring for the poles, you can still use 550 cord to create a tarp tent.

Frogg Toggs have practically become a synonym for “poncho” among backpackers, and for good reason. It’s waterproof, inexpensive, durable, lightweight, and folds up into a small stuff sack. It’s comfortable, too, because while the outside is made of waterproof polypropylene, the inside is covered with a soft fabric layer, so your skin doesn’t have to touch plastic. If you’re looking for a great way to protect yourself from the rain without spending a lot of cash, this is your best choice, no matter what kind of outdoor activity you have planned.

The outer shell is made of nonwoven polypropylene fabric that is waterproof and wind-resistant (which means with really hard winds, you may feel it a bit) and has waterproofed seams. With the built-in adjustable hood cord and snaps on either side of the poncho, you can tighten and conform it for a more comfortable fit. And, it’s machine-washable, which is a nice thing to have after a long slog through a rainy hike.

The one drawback for the Frogg Toggs is the somewhat short length and width. The arms are covered just past the elbows for the average person. I’m 5-foot-8, and I get coverage to about mid-forearm. That’s fine for a while, but during a long, heavy downpour, it may get to be a problem with wet forearms. Plus, if you’re carrying a backpack, you’ll probably want to pack rain cover because this won’t be able to cover it and you effectively at the same time. But overall, it’s a great poncho.

For the folks who like a military-style kit, you may want to take a look at USGI Industries’ Military Style Poncho. Now, it’s not exactly like a military-issued poncho, as it’s lighter and not as thick. However, the 210T ripstop polyester is respectably tough, and the lightweight (18 ounces) and small size when packed in the carry bag (6 x 8 x 3 inches) makes this a great addition to an emergency bag or as part of your backpacking kit. Plus, USGI Industries is a disabled veteran-owned company, so that’s pretty cool.

The generous size of the Military Style Poncho provides plenty of protection for the arms and down the legs. Plus, the heavy-duty copper grommets on the sides give you the option of using it as a tarp tent or a rain fly, or it can be combined with a woobie-style liner that you can purchase separately (or use a military-issued liner, which reportedly fits nicely) to provide extra warmth or use as a sleeping bag/blanket.

Despite the high-quality build, USGI Industries product page states the poncho has a 3,000mm water resistance rating. Savvy buyers of the outdoor kit may recognize that “water resistance” is not the same as “waterproof.” That does not mean this poncho won’t protect you from rain, but it certainly will for most users. However, its ability to provide long-term protection over prolonged rain may be questionable.

Serious hikers plan for any number of contingencies, including getting caught out in the middle of nowhere during a surprise downpour. And while any waterproof poncho is better than nothing, some are better designed if you plan to keep moving in the rain.

The Snugpak Patrol Poncho was designed to provide you and your gear with protection while minimizing any impact on your ability to move around. Made of its own Paratex Dry fabric, it’s waterproof, including the seams, and has dedicated sleeves (most ponchos simply drape over the arms). It also has room to cover your backpack, ensuring your gear stays dry. Plus (and this is a really nice feature), there’s a Velcro map pocket on the front of the chest, which lets you keep your map dry and easily accessible.

The Patrol Poncho can also be converted into an emergency bivy (bivouac sack) if you need overnight shelter. While other ponchos lend themselves to being used as tarp tents or ground sheets, this one can be pulled around you into a sort of cocoon shelter like mountaineers use. It’s not exactly a perfect shelter, but when confronted with an unexpected camping trip, it’s a lot better than nothing.

The Hagon PRO Disposable Rain Poncho is a poncho in its most elementary form. It’s essentially a plastic sheet that has been modified to provide protection against the rain, and that’s it. It’s designed for the person who has absolutely no need for their rain gear other than to be on hand when required. And for all this, the Hagon PRO is perfect.

Made from 0.035mm thick PE plastic, this shell is waterproof, light, and transparent — although there are actually a couple of color options if you like. Even though it’s essentially a plastic sheet, there are a couple of nice design elements. It has a well-designed hood that won’t collapse around your face (some ponchos with larger hoods can get in the way of your vision). It also features closed sides beneath the arm slots, which is great since the wind won’t be able to expose you with a sudden gust.

Of course, there are limitations to this kind of rain shell. Being disposable, they’re not intended to last very long (although you can probably get a few uses out of one). Plus, the 40-inch width only gives your arms partial coverage, so they’ll get wet. But for the price (you get five of these ponchos for $12.99 from Amazon), these ponchos are a perfect addition to an emergency bag or for a little insurance against the rain when working outside.

Define “travel” how you like (in a car, a plane, a kayak, a bike, or on foot), the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Nano Tarp Poncho is the perfect companion. Lightweight and small in its stuff sack (only 3 x 5.25 inches), you can stow it anywhere, and if you’re carrying it in a pack, you’ll hardly notice the extra eight ounces of weight. When you inevitably need it, you can’t ask for a more versatile shell to protect you against the rain.

This S2S poncho is made with 15D ultra-sil nano fabric, which is a “siliconized nylon fabric with a polyurethane (PU) inner coating” according to its Amazon product page. This provides solid water resistance for you as a poncho while on the move, or as a rainfly or tarp tent if needed for a shelter. Some backpackers will use this as their rainfly since it’s so light and can be used in a variety of ways. It’s large enough to protect you and your backpack, but also has a clever “drawcord tail” that allows the wearer to raise the hem if you don’t have a pack.

The biggest drawback of this well-made poncho is the cost. Some serious minimalist backpackers combine this with a bug tent like this one, so as to have more of a complete system that has multiple uses.

For those willing to pay the price, Zpacks’ Groundsheet Poncho provides excellent rain protection as well as heavy-duty utility as a groundsheet or pack cover, all at an astonishingly low weight of just under six ounces. For the ultralight enthusiast, there’s simply no better choice for protection against the rain.

Zpacks’ poncho gets its light, total waterproof protection and durability by using Dyneema, an “ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (HMPE) fiber,” that is so tough, it is often used in high-end tent floors. And with a rating of 20,000mm water resistance, it’s capable of keeping you dry through the harshest of rain. Like the previously discussed Sea to Summit Poncho, ultralight enthusiasts can combine this with Zpacks tents for a total lightweight sleeping system (but hoo-boy, it’ll cost you).

There are a couple of shortcomings to note, however, considering the high price. First, the poncho width is only 52 inches, which provides mid-arm coverage. Many ponchos are designed this way, as many people (backpackers in particular) find longer arm coverage cumbersome, especially in high winds. Also, the length doesn’t adequately cover larger backpacks, so if you’re hauling anything larger than 35 liters, you may want to look into getting rain pants or a rain kilt.