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Looking for the best rain ponchos to take with you on your travels? From simple disposable rain ponchos to fashionable rain ponchos that look like they came off the Fashion Week runway, our guide takes an in-depth look at nine of the best on the market.
Best Rain Ponchos
Top Pick
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The Snugpak Patrol poncho’s durability and versatility make it ideal not only for camping and outdoor activities, as intended, but also a comfortable poncho to wear whenever you get caught in the rain.
Quick Picks
| Best Luxury Rain Poncho | Sea to Summit Ultra-SIL Nano Tarp Poncho |
| Best for Camping | Snugpak Patrol Poncho |
| Best for Water Activities | FROGG TOGGS Ultra-Lite2 Waterproof Breathable Poncho |
| Best Women’s Rain Poncho | SaphiRose Rain Poncho Jacket Coat |
| Best Budget Rain Poncho | Totes Rain Poncho |
| Best Disposable Rain Poncho | Lingito Rain Ponchos Family Pack |
Rain Ponchos Considerations
Material
Understanding how you’re going to use your rain poncho is important to know what type of poncho to get. A rain poncho to put on to keep you dry during a downpour in an urban environment should be different from a rain poncho you would wear hiking.
A huge factor to consider when it comes to use is the materials the poncho is made from. Some of the most common materials used are as follows:
PVC – Commonly used for disposable ponchos and while not very eco-friendly, the material is 100% waterproof, making them a good choice for quickly putting on if you get caught in a downpour.
Polyester with a Water-Repellent Coating – Commonly used in ponchos and various gear, while the water-repellent coating adds a waterproof layer to a material that isn’t waterproof on its own. Polyester with durable water-repellent coating dries very quickly, so again is ideal for urban use and getting caught in heavy downpours.
Breathable Laminates – Less common in rain ponchos, but are definitely a good choice for hiking because, as the name suggests, the fabric can breathe, stopping condensation building up from the inside, ideal for when you’re hiking, running, or doing physical activity.
Silnylon or Silpoly – The material commonly used in dry bags, tents, and other outdoor gear. Hence it is a very reliable choice if you need something waterproof, but isn’t the most flexible or lightweight of material, so best to avoid if your activities require a lot of movement.
Wind Resistance
Generally with wet conditions comes a lot of wind, and this can cause a lot of discomfort and drop your body temperature considerably. In urban areas, you are more likely to find warm cover quickly, but for outdoor use consider the thickness of the material and how warm and wind-resistant it is.
The biggest issue with ponchos when it comes to the wind is that they tend to be loose at the bottom to let air and condensation out. While this makes them well-ventilated, it means their wind resistance is poor, so consider how the poncho sits on your frame and whether it can be zipped or sealed.
Packing and Weight
Many ponchos now come with a packable case that can easily be carried and stored in your backpack or luggage. However, thicker, more heavy-duty ponchos are more difficult to fold and pack, especially when wet.
Consider how you plan to use the poncho, its weight, and whether you can pack it up into a dry pack once it’s been used.
Best Rain Ponchos for Travel
Our rain poncho picks cover a wide selection, from budget options of under $10 to ponchos of over $100. With picks for both adults and kids, now you need not worry about choosing to stay dry or stay fashionable. These rain ponchos do both.
So, without any further ado, let’s dive right in and cast a detailed eye over our nine best rain poncho picks.
Best Luxury Rain Poncho
1 – Sea to Summit Ultra-SIL Nano Tarp Poncho
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This poncho is made out of 15D Ultra-Sil Nano fabric with double-stitched and tape-sealed seams that make it completely waterproof and offer excellent protection against the elements.
It is also very light at just 8.1 oz (around 240 grams). At 57” x 107” (145 x 272 cm), it is very spacious, and it can easily cover a large backpack such as the one you’re likely to be wearing during a hiking trip.
Its huge size also means that it can be converted into a two-person shelter when stretched out and secured. All you need to do is disconnect the side snaps that hold the poncho together.
If you opt to wear this poncho without the backpack, you might be concerned that it will be dragging on the ground because of its huge size, but that is not the case as there is a drawcord that lets you raise the hem and avoid this issue.
There is also a three-piece hood found on the poncho that will provide great protection for the wearer’s head. Plus, it’s easy to carry as it can be folded down to fit into a small carrying bag.
One drawback to mention is that the poncho’s fairly basic layout means that it has no pockets and the sleeves won’t cover your arms entirely (especially if you’re taller), and they are likely only going to cover half of your forearms.
Best for Hiking and Camping
2 – Snugpak Patrol Poncho
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The Snugpak Patrol Poncho is made out of their exclusive Paratex Dry Fabric. The seams are tape-sealed, and a combination of a durable water-repellent and polyurethane coating makes this poncho waterproof and also windproof.
It is a bit heavier than the Sea to Summit poncho at 0.8 pounds (around 360 grams), and it measures 53” x 63” (135 x 160 cm), which means that you can wear a backpack underneath this poncho.
The poncho is a pullover design, but it does feature a partial zipper in front to make putting it on and taking it off easier. Just below the partial frontal zipper, there is a Velcro map pocket with a storm flap for extra protection.
The hood on this poncho is adjustable with drawstrings, so you can control how tightly it fits you.
There are also sleeves on this poncho and thumb loops in each sleeve that will help keep the sleeves in place, especially in windy conditions.
The poncho is easy to carry as it comes with its own traveling package that measures at 8” x 4” (20 x 10 cm).
Best for Water Activities
3 – FROGG TOGGS Ultra-Lite2 Waterproof Breathable Poncho
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The Ultra-Lite2 is a lightweight poncho that is made out of breathable nonwoven polypropylene. This material is not only lightweight, but it combines with welded seams to make the poncho completely waterproof. The weight of the poncho is 9 oz (around 270 grams).
The poncho measures 54’’ x 40’’ (137 x 102 cm). It is a one-size-fits-most, and it goes down to around the knee area for most people. However, taller individuals may find the poncho to be a bit shorter than they would have liked.
The poncho can be easily packed into a sack where it can remain until it is needed. This makes it an ideal option in an emergency.
It is a pullover model that, unfortunately, doesn’t have any snap closure or zippers on the front, but snap closure is present on the sides of the poncho to create makeshift sleeves. There are also no pockets anywhere on the poncho.
The hood is made out of a single piece of material, and it has cord locks that allow the user to control the tightness of the fit. Overall, it’s a great option to have in a pinch if you’re on a tight budget.
Best Women’s Rain Poncho
4 – SaphiRose Rain Poncho Jacket Coat
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There are as many as 45 different color and pattern options to choose from when it comes to this poncho.
It is made out of 100% polyester, which makes this poncho lightweight, quick-drying, and breathable. The combination of a polyester fabric material and heat-sealed seams make the poncho water-resistant as well.
This is one of the few ponchos that have a full zipper closure. The zipper is waterproof as well, so you don’t have to worry about it being a weak point.
The dimensions of the piece are 36’’ x 57’’ (91 x 145 cm), and it can be packed and carried in a color-matching carrying case that measures at 6’’ x 10’’ (15 x 25 cm).
The carrying case is very compact, and it can easily be carried in a purse, so it is great on hand for emergencies such as sudden rain. Speaking of rain, the poncho has a two-piece drawstring hood.
There are, unfortunately, no pockets on the poncho or proper sleeves, but instead, snap closure is found on the sides, and it helps both secure the poncho on the user and create improvised sleeves.
Best Budget Rain Poncho
5 – Totes Adult Unisex Rain Poncho
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This poncho has a very simple pullover design with snap closure on the sides to help secure it.
It is made out of lightweight EVA fabric, which makes it waterproof. It is also easy to carry around since it is easy to fold, and it comes with its very own mesh carrying case. This means that you can take this poncho with you wherever you go, and you’ll be ready for any sudden showers.
The poncho has a three-piece hood, but there aren’t any drawstrings or other systems that let you control the tightness of the fit, which is a minus.
There also aren’t any pockets present as this is an inexpensive and basic poncho designed as emergency protection from rain and not a long-term solution for hiking in the rain.
If you decide to get this poncho, keep in mind that it isn’t designed to be machine washed, and you should instead only wipe it down with a damp cloth.
Best Disposable Rain Poncho
6 – Lingito Rain Ponchos Family Pack
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This is a disposable poncho that comes in packs of 12, 8, or 4. Within each pack, half of the ponchos are adult-sized, and the other half are child-sized.
Both adult and children’s ponchos are pullover models, and both are fully waterproof. The adult ponchos come with regular long sleeves while the children’s ponchos have no sleeves.
Another difference between the two is the hood – while both ponchos have hoods, adult ponchos are the only ones that have a closure system in the form of drawstrings. The children’s ponchos are extra wide so that they can fit a backpack underneath.
There are different colored ponchos in every pack – 6 different colors in a 12-pack and 4 different colors in an 8-pack. Despite the disposable tag, these ponchos are reusable, and they don’t pick up any odors.
Best Rain Ponchos (Great for Travel) Summary
Staying dry and staying stylish does not have to be mutually exclusive. The best rain ponchos money can buy have come a long way from the days of throwing something of a trash bag over your shoulders.
Whether you’re looking to travel extensively, or you just want something to keep you and your clothes dry on the morning commute, I’m confident at least one of our picks will look like perfection hanging from your shoulders, and wrapped around your waist.
You Might Also Like to Read:
- Best Daypacks for Travel
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- Best Waterproof and Water-Resistant Backpacks
- Best Underwater Gadgets for Travel
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