Hiking in your favourite outdoor destination is fun and mentally stimulating until your fun is messed up by the heavy downpour. What then? Should you always check rainfall prediction and abstain from hiking? Of course not!
The best way to enjoy hiking outdoors despite high chances of rainfall is to get yourself the best rain poncho for hiking. There are plenty of these ponchos on the market but only few are good enough for outdoor adventure.
Based on my personal experience, I’ve handpicked the top 5 ponchos for your next or first hiking trip.
But, let’s start with the important features to look out for. The choice of these rain ponchos can be overwhelming if you don’t know what features to prioritize.
Quick Answer - Editor's choice...
Reasons To Buy
- Durable
- Breathable and comfortable
- Affordable
- Adjustable hood
- Large dimensions to cover also backpack
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Things to Consider Before Buying a Rain Poncho for Hiking
Although needless to reiterate, there are plenty of ponchos on the market. Given this overwhelming and enormous number of military ponchos on the market, you may feel lost. To avoid this, consider the factors below:
Water resistance
Perhaps the single most important feature of rain ponchos is water resistance. This gauges how efficient the gear is to withstand heavy downpours.
Note the difference between water resistant and waterproof. Basically, a water-resistant fabric is coated with a water repellent material but it degrades over time. A waterproof fabric, on the other hand, is sewn with a waterproof material and it permanently resists water penetration unless torn.
Important to note is how the poncho is constructed. If it has seams, they must be waterproof to ensure that no water penetrates. Some come with welded constructions which is a good advantage.
Materials
Backpacking rain gear come in different materials, which also serve as a cost factor. These materials also play a significant role in water resistance, breathability, and comfort. The materials mentioned below are the common ones.
Polyurethane coated nylon – PU coated nylon is affordable and waterproof. It is also notably durable and wear resistance. The outer layer is nylon and the inside a polyurethane. But, this material choice may feel clammy in hotter days.
PVC – PVC is remarkably a cheaper material and also cheaper to maintain or repair with duct tape. Ponchos using PVC often use it as a standalone layering material.
Cuben Fiber – this is a combination of fibres and plastic mylar. The good part is that it is lightweight, it could be an ideal choice for minimalists. However, get ready to pop out an exorbitant price for this material although it’s worth it.
Sil-poly and Sil-Nylon – with these materials, a polyester or nylon is saturated with silicone to provide the most durable and waterproof heavy duty rain poncho. Quite frankly, this is one of the most affordable materials. One would think they are expensive since various materials are used.
Breathable laminates – these ones are also waterproof, and are actually made from nylon exteriors combined with layers. As in the name, these fabrics are highly breathable so they let in enough air circulation, especially beneficial in summer days.
Comfort
Comfort is also an important factor to consider. Ponchos, unlike rain jackets, do not conform to your body and become tricky to measure comfort. Nevertheless, size still matters. Essentially, all ponchos are wide open at the arms and bottom, and often cover mid-thighs.
Take note of the exact dimensions before buying even though it can be tricky when buying online to measure sizes. It should not be too big or too constricting.
To add on, consider the hood. It should be adjustable to comfortably fit your head.
Versatility
Almost all ponchos are versatile; however, it depends on extra features such as eyelets where you can where you can fit stakes to build tents. Ponchos can be used as a sunshade, shelter, floor tarp or rain fly in emergency situations.
What I like about ponchos is how they protect your hiking gear whether you ride a bike or walking.
This short YouTube video shows you how this is done.
Extra features set these ponchos apart. These include the zippered pockets where you can store small items to protect them from the rain.
Reviews of the Best 5 Rain Ponchos
A great set of hiking poncho that is durable, waterproof, and lightweight.
Water Resistance
Comfort
Weight
Durability
Packability
Reasons To Buy
- Durable
- Affordable
- Adjustable hood
- Breathable and comfortable
- Large dimensions to cover also backpacks
Reasons To AVOID
- No extra pockets to store your valuable items
- Not elastic so covering a large backpack may compromise part of your legs from rain protection
Now that we’ve covered the most important section about features, let’s delve into the reviews and see which product is worth your money.
Anyoo Waterproof Military Poncho
The Anyoo Waterproof Military Poncho ticks most of the boxes I have highlighted in the aforementioned value section. It’s my favourite military rain poncho on the market. Anyoo is a brand known for its top-notch quality of fabrics, and this poncho is a testimony to that.
It is lightweight and made of polyester which is an affordable and waterproof fabric. The other infused materials are 210 T Ripstop nylon fabric and a PVC coating. Given a waterproof rating of PU3000MM, this poncho packs value for money!
To add on the waterproof feature, this poncho is also breathable and durable.
The dimensions are 86” x 55”, which are large enough to cover your backpack to protect it from the rain. And when you fold it, it packs to 9 x 3 x 3, which makes it compact enough to carry around when not wearing it. It weighs only 9 ounces which is also an advantage.
Also noteworthy is how versatile this poncho is. It has thick eyelets through which you can insert robes if you want to hang the poncho as a shelter. That’s a great step to get a shield from rain. With its water resistant performance, the Anyoo can also be used as a sleeping bag underlay on damp grounds.
Incredibly comfortable and lightweight hiking protection.
Water Resistance
Comfort
Weight
Durability
Packability
Reasons To Buy
- Compact and lightweight
- Made of high-quality waterproof materials: polypropylene
- Durable and breathable fabrics to last you a long time and to enhance ventilation
- Large enough to cover also backpack
- Affordable poncho yet not compromising its features
- Adjustable hood to protect against strong winds
- Comes in a reusable bag and the product itself is recyclable
Reasons To AVOID
- Easy to get wrinkled
- Not highly comfortable
- No pockets to store your items
Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite Poncho
The Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite Poncho is a large poncho. That’s an added advantage because it’s a rain poncho for hiking that covers backpack.
The Frogg Toggs is 40 inches high and 54 inches wide with wide open arms and the bottom. If you sweat a lot you will appreciate its great deal of ventilation.
Construction-wise, the poncho is made of waterproof polyester material. It excels in repelling water so that your valuables can remain dry.
Its welded seams ensure that no water penetrates. Why would you overburden yourself with raincoats and rain jackets while you can get this affordable and compact poncho?
Worried about strong winds? This product comes with an adjustable hood that can protect you from treacherous outdoor elements. The side snaps also help put this product in place.
For storage purposes, it comes in a reusable bag and it packs small. With this lightweight poncho, you won’t feel the pain of hiking on steep mountains while holding it. Also noteworthy is that the product is recyclable.
The ideal rain poncho for hiking.
Water resistance
Comfort
Weight
Durability
Packability
Reasons To Buy
- Has nylon blended into the fabric of the knees and seat for extra durability.
- Versatile poncho with thickened eyelets to enhance durability and to fasten it to tent stakes
- Large size, accommodates backpacks
- Made from a durable 210 T high-density polyester fabric
- Breathable and lightweight
- Compact packed size for ease of storage
Reasons To AVOID
- Can get hot and bulky during summer
Terra Hiker Rain Poncho
The Terra Hiker Rain Poncho is one of the most popular ponchos on the market.
Made from 210 T high-density polyester fabric and with a high waterproof rating it’s arguably the best rain poncho for hiking.
Whether you want to go fishing, mountaineering, or any other outdoor activity that may expose you to heavy downpours, this poncho could be your go-to rescue. It weighs only 0.68 lb, which is lightweight enough to carry around.
When unfolded, the poncho measures 85.8” x 54.6”, which I find large enough to cater for you and your backpack. When it’s time to store, it folds to 8 x 3 x 2 inches.
The package includes the drawstring pouch, which should help you adjust the poncho. With its adjustable hood, you are safe from strong winds and rains. While it may not be the best comfort out there, this product is fairly comfortable with a compact size. It won’t be dragging on the ground to attract the dirt.
Thanks to the thickened eyelets that enhance durability and make it easy to fasten the poncho to tent stakes.
The fashionable hiking poncho for cold weather adventures.
Water Resistance
Comfort
Weight
Durability
Packability
Reasons To Buy
- 100% waterproof polyester fabric material with heat sealed seams
- Soft fabric but water repellent
- Wide variety of colours
- Pockets included to store small items away from the rain
- Full-length zippers to enable ease of use
- Long and wide, easily accommodates backpacks
Reasons To AVOID
- The full-length zippers may make it hard to adjust the poncho if you have an abnormally large backpack
- Not that extremely comfortable
Hooded Rain Poncho for Adults
Available in a broad range of colours,Hooded Rain Poncho for Adults could be your best buy if you need a rain poncho with pockets. I personally prefer having pockets so I can stash small items.
It is a full-length stylish poncho with an adjustable hood.
The product is 41.34 inches long at the back and 37.40 inches long in the front. These dimensions are long enough plus it is 59.06 inches wide to fit also your backpack.
This poncho is 100% waterproof with heat-sealed seams to prevent any water penetration. This makes it useful for hiking in heavy downpour. All thanks to the high quality materials and eco-friendly polyester.
Unique to this poncho among other ponchos in this review is the full-length waterproof zipper, which makes it easier to wear and undress. However, the downside is that it is not easy to stretch it as you can do with unzippered ponchos. The sleeve is adjustable with a button.
This rain poncho is highly breathable and give you enough ventilation. In my opinion, this is the best rain poncho for hiking if you ventilation is a key factor for you.
A solid cheaper alternative for light rain hiking
Water Resistance
Comfort
Weight
Durability
Packability
Reasons To Buy
- High-quality disposable ponchos
- Large enough to cover also the backpacks
- Fully waterproof and lightweight
- Enough ventilation to wick away moisture
- Inexpensive
Reasons To AVOID
- Not as strong as reusable ponchos
- Not as comfortable as reusable ponchos
Hagon PRO Disposable Rain Ponchos
Our last product is a Hagon PRO Disposable Rain Ponchos. It is not always that you may need a reusable poncho.
At times you go out with family and realize the unexpected rainfall is imminent. With these 5 packs of disposable ponchos, you will avoid the spoiling experience of heavy downpours in the wilderness.
These ponchos are 100% waterproof and lightweight. You need not worry about carrying bulky items while hiking. Also, they are thick, which is an ideal thickness to lengthen durability.
The fact that these are disposable does not mean that the manufacturer compromised on key features of rain ponchos. The only issue could be the size but having said that they are fairly comfortable. If you are looking for a disposable rain poncho, this is a good option.
While they may not be as durable as others, they are still made of the mainstream fabric material – polyester.
The ponchos are large enough to accommodate backpacks. The adult ones measure 50 x 40 inches whereas the kids’ ones measure 40 x 30 inches.
Conclusion: What Is The Best Rain Poncho for Hiking?
We’ve come to the end of our review and buyer’s guide of the best rain poncho for hiking. I hope you’ve found it useful.
The Anyoo Waterproof Military Poncho is the ultimate winner among others. While it may not be the best in comfort, it ticks the other boxes. Water resistance is on par with its 210 T high density fabric material. Also, it is lightweight and packs small.
Hiking with this poncho will not cause you any pain. Its durability is a great deal. If you are looking for the best value for money, I reckon this poncho is a great option.
One important point though: do not be deceived by the price because it does not always reflect the quality of the poncho. Pay more attention on the features we have highlighted in this buyer’s guide.
