One time I was camping in the rain and every spider and bug for miles around came to live between the mesh and flysheet of my tent and I spent all night watching them run around above my head. That experience made me never want to try an ultralight setup like this. I kind of want to get one of these for rain protection and as a backup shelter though.
Haha same thing happened to me ))) I rather stay under rain than living under shelter with bugs crawling above and arround me. Also at evening it was impossible to stay near campfire becuz of all those flying bugs flying arround and into my mouth. I do not understand those youtube bloggers who show them sitting at evening near campfire, don't they have those bugs in their area or camera can not film them i dunno.
@@Temporalplace A lot of those extreme ultralight youtube bloggers are very misserable I'm sure, but to them its a competition to have the lightest most primitive setup (and nothing wrong with that), for most normal hikers a bit more comfort is prefered :)
All depends on the weather, the ecosystem and the time of day. In many cases a sealed tent provides only a false sense of security. Other times your shelter choice can sink the adventure completely. I have seen more bugs in my home than on most hiking...check under your dresser or in the recesses of your basement. Bug biviis are a good addition to a tarp and solve many issues. Borah Gear makes wonderful bivis that cost less than this poncho. Its a topsy turvy world we live in. Seek the adventure. Damn the bugs...full speed ahead!
I cowboy camp all the time or while thru hiking stay in exposed shelters and never had any issues. Your body is usually tucked away in your sleep bag and if yiur really concerned about your face which I never had an issue with just put on a bug headnet. That and keep in mind the higher your elevation the less bugs so plan ahead an just set up camp at a higher elevation
I wonder if you could make this a freestanding shelter with some shock corded tent poles? There are people on YT that do this with the military USGI poncho. This seems to be a better alternative as it is lighter & more spacious.
@@techguy9023 thank you. I've had the ultra sil for a year now, but I've only used it as a poncho. I'm thinking about using it as my main tarp for my trip in April.
If weight is not a factor...surplus gear is the "bees-knees". I see a lot of surplus ponchos on the trail...those folks are carrying 30-50 pound packs and seem pretty miserable.
The setup looks too short for your body to actually sleep in. It looks like your sleeping bag foot box and your head would both be touching the shelter wall. I'm 6'4" and I can barely fit in a spacious tent.
Yes, you are right, it is far too short for lying inside. You could gain some lenght by flying the poncho above the soil with some cordage and maybe lowering the center pole. Probably the best coverage you could get witn such a small tarp is the classic A frame. A bivy bag could nicely complement such setup.
If you’re 6’4 you’d definitely be too tall for it. I’m 5’8 and used it as rain gear and shelter on my Colorado thru hike. It worked perfectly and only weighed 7 oz.
First...you need to pitch you poncho in an a-frame configuration. Even then, many poncho shelters are too short to work well. The trick is to find one 8-1/2 to 9 foot long. There are only a few this long.
Good idea. Would work with a larger tarp.
Great video until you didn't lie down at the end ;)
I like your style of video, no BS just good stuff.
Thank you a lot for sharing. I bought this exact tarp and I’m excited to use it for SUL
One time I was camping in the rain and every spider and bug for miles around came to live between the mesh and flysheet of my tent and I spent all night watching them run around above my head. That experience made me never want to try an ultralight setup like this. I kind of want to get one of these for rain protection and as a backup shelter though.
Haha same thing happened to me ))) I rather stay under rain than living under shelter with bugs crawling above and arround me. Also at evening it was impossible to stay near campfire becuz of all those flying bugs flying arround and into my mouth. I do not understand those youtube bloggers who show them sitting at evening near campfire, don't they have those bugs in their area or camera can not film them i dunno.
Thats just some of the charm🙏🏻 And protein🤓💪🏻
@@Temporalplace A lot of those extreme ultralight youtube bloggers are very misserable I'm sure, but to them its a competition to have the lightest most primitive setup (and nothing wrong with that), for most normal hikers a bit more comfort is prefered :)
All depends on the weather, the ecosystem and the time of day. In many cases a sealed tent provides only a false sense of security. Other times your shelter choice can sink the adventure completely. I have seen more bugs in my home than on most hiking...check under your dresser or in the recesses of your basement. Bug biviis are a good addition to a tarp and solve many issues. Borah Gear makes wonderful bivis that cost less than this poncho. Its a topsy turvy world we live in. Seek the adventure. Damn the bugs...full speed ahead!
I cowboy camp all the time or while thru hiking stay in exposed shelters and never had any issues. Your body is usually tucked away in your sleep bag and if yiur really concerned about your face which I never had an issue with just put on a bug headnet. That and keep in mind the higher your elevation the less bugs so plan ahead an just set up camp at a higher elevation
Great job thanks for posting
Its great till wind and rain blow from the open side. I have one. A gatewood cape it isn’t.
Hey I like your video. Kudos
Great review. Very realistic. Minimal device : looks like it works.
I wonder if you could make this a freestanding shelter with some shock corded tent poles? There are people on YT that do this with the military USGI poncho. This seems to be a better alternative as it is lighter & more spacious.
There is nothing that cannot be accomplished with enough time and money. Let us know how it goes.
Can you post some youtube video link to a video ? I don't understand which concept your are talking about 🙂
This is a great setup unless your in Florida. The fire ants will eat you up as well as mosquitoes and red bugs..
I just got this today and weighed it, 206 grams👍🏻 24 below the billed weight🤓
Simple Good!
Peace~~
👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
How did you fashion the hood so not to leak?
Tie the cord around it. I have the 70d nylon version. It’s good to put up quick to get out of the rain but not enough for the Smokies in February.
@@techguy9023 thank you. I've had the ultra sil for a year now, but I've only used it as a poncho. I'm thinking about using it as my main tarp for my trip in April.
This would be good in an emergency.
The Army has been doing this for decades, for about $20 at a surplus store.
And it weighs how much?
And S2S Tarp Poncho is 230 grams. So yeah. That’s the price you pay for less weight
If weight is not a factor...surplus gear is the "bees-knees". I see a lot of surplus ponchos on the trail...those folks are carrying 30-50 pound packs and seem pretty miserable.
Or buy the Ali Express version for a low weight at the same price
The setup looks too short for your body to actually sleep in. It looks like your sleeping bag foot box and your head would both be touching the shelter wall. I'm 6'4" and I can barely fit in a spacious tent.
Yes, you are right, it is far too short for lying inside. You could gain some lenght by flying the poncho above the soil with some cordage and maybe lowering the center pole. Probably the best coverage you could get witn such a small tarp is the classic A frame. A bivy bag could nicely complement such setup.
If you’re 6’4 you’d definitely be too tall for it.
I’m 5’8 and used it as rain gear and shelter on my Colorado thru hike. It worked perfectly and only weighed 7 oz.
First...you need to pitch you poncho in an a-frame configuration. Even then, many poncho shelters are too short to work well. The trick is to find one 8-1/2 to 9 foot long. There are only a few this long.
No comment😐