This is a great piece of gear if you're willing to go the tarp/poncho route. I use it (along with a Montbell waterproof sleeping bag cover) as my only shelter here in the northeast, and it's been very effective. You'll probably want to have trekking poles to set it up as a effectively as a tarp, but if you're creative, you can go without.

As a poncho, it's even better. Great hood, good overall coverage, larger area, and lighter than a lot of other comparable products.

I wish it came with a cord to cinch around your waist, and I added a couple extra guy points (it comes with 8), but otherwise this is a great product.

Like almost any piece of essential gear, this guy is costly. I could hardly justify $80 for a tarp/poncho but in the end it proved it's worth. Got caught out on the trail at about 9000ft when a freak storm rolled in and dumped hail and rain on a less experienced (and less prepared) friend. He was soaking wet and cold. Me, bone dry and toasty. I quickly pulled off the poncho strung up some rope and a trekking pole and viola! Quick shelter for my friend to get warm, change into dry clothes and wait out the storm. Still, you could probably make you own (albeit heavier) for far less than $80.

Worked really well in Costa Rica. It covers both backpack and clothing, its light, easy to get back in the bag. My husband bet it would never get back in the storage bag, but it was easy. Could improve the neckline to allow for binoculars to hang out...

As Poncho, I love it since when it's too hot yet raining...

I can just roll up the front & attach the back part to the front's first top button to get the back secured & not flapping on my legs. In that mode, it acts like pack cover

or

I could roll it up all way over to back of my neck & insert it in my pack's loop to hold it in a place when it's too hot to put it as "normal mode" or the mode that I've mentioned first. It might be little bit confusing as in the writing but once you have the poncho/tarp... you probably will have the same idea or better idea than me.

As Tarp Tent, I still have to experiment with it but I do use it with another tarp covering the ground then I'm all set...

You will just need to have a stakes & ropes to hold them in place. I would recommend you to experiment with it beforehand & have few various methods since sometime one method isn't best in certain scenario.

Overall, I'll say it rocks!!! Especially when it saves me a weight of tent & rain gear (jacket, pant, pack cover). I love it as ultralight hiker!

If you want to be ultralight, this is the way to go. Great to use as a poncho and backpack rain cover in one as it is large enough to fit over your pack when worn and still cover down around my shins. Also works great as a shelter with a pole or twine tied to trees. It is extremely water-resistant, too.