Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Tarp-Poncho

I've used this several times... most recently on a three day trip in GSMNP with rain/snow.

THE GOOD
o Very lightweight.
o Multipurpose.
o Should be excellent as a tarp / emergency shelter. I've set it up several times and several different ways for practice, but I haven't actually used it as a shelter yet.
o Works OK as a poncho, with some caveats. (See notes below.)

THE BAD
o The hood tends to come down too far on my forehead, partially blocking my vision. If I add a ballcap underneath or my Tilly hat (or headlamp when night hiking) on top, I can compensate, but that defeats the purpose.
o I received a color I like, but it seems like this is sold in such a way that stores are not able to offer a choice of colors. Either offer it in only one color and take your lumps, or offer the buyer a choice.
o As others have noted, this should have a built-in silnylon waist strap for cinching the whole thing up higher when hiking with little or no pack and/or very windy conditions.

THE UGLY
o The snaps are extremely weak and pop open with the slightest tug. While hiking I have often found the poncho entirely unsnapped on one or both sides. Sil nylon is pretty strong, so surely better snaps would work... better? Seriously, this is a major flaw. I'll probably add high quality velcro between the snaps to compensate, but then I'll lose some of the venting.
o I'm not sure why the stuff sack is designed as it is. Do I really want a choice of whether to stuff it into the smaller or larger volume?

This has a lot of potential and I love the idea, but it needs more finesse.

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.

The Ultra-Sil Tarp Poncho is great for keeping your pack weight down. I use mine with a hammock in the summer. Instead of packing raingear a packcover and shelter the tarp poncho is all I need. The tarp coverage is adequate for mild weather but I'd want something larger if I expected to encounter more severe weather.

I keep one of the plain nylon versions in my truck for emergencies. I'd also recommend carrying one on day hikes as lightweight insurance in case you have to spend the night outside.

Expensive, but serves the purpose.
Light weight, and airy. I am enjoying it this spring.

Seems like a nice poncho and it covers my backpack too. Hope it won't stick together in the heat like my old Army ponchos used to. Little on the expensive side for a poncho.

Haven't had a chance to use it yet - that is a good thing - but it seems to be high quality and will serve its intended purpose. Very compact and it covers me and my pack well yet still allows good venting. Very pricey even with a discount but I intend to have it for a long time.

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...

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.

I've used this poncho for 4 years now and have never been disappointed. Great for covering yourself and a pack when a storm rolls through. I use it as my go-to rain gear and while I'd like to get a shell jacket and pant, this poncho has kept me dry in all the environments Utah has to offer.

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!