Hot take: I stopped buying expensive rain jackets after a guy in Portland told me his $20 poncho outlasted his Arc'teryx.

I was hiking in the Gorge last fall and this older guy with a beat up pack told me he's had the same disposable poncho for 7 years while his buddy's $400 jacket delaminated after two seasons, so now I just grab a cheap one from Fred Meyer and call it good - anyone else ditch the hype for something that actually works?

2 comments

2 Comments

ross.kevin19d ago

Right, but here is the thing nobody talks about - those expensive jackets are designed for specific conditions, like alpine climbing or backcountry skiing where you need breathability and movement. A cheap poncho is fine for walking around town or light rain, but if you are actually working hard in wet weather, you will end up soaked from your own sweat inside that plastic bag. The real cost isnt the price tag, its your comfort and safety when the weather turns nasty and you still have miles to go. Plus, worn out $400 gear usually gets repaired or recycled, while cheap plastic ponchos just pile up in landfills forever. Maybe the real win is finding a mid-tier shell that works for your actual needs instead of swinging to either extreme.

zara57218d ago

So 7 years out of a disposable poncho, how many times did he actually use it in real downpours versus just keeping it in his pack for emergencies?