Poncho Liner

C

craig anthony

Joined
Aug 20, 2009
Messages
94
I'm looking into buying a military poncho liner to use as a light campinng blanket. I live in south Fl an a sleeping bag always feels too warm down here. Anyone have any experience with them? Size, durability, weight, warmth factor, any input would be appreciated. Their on the cheap side on the net so $$ isn't an issue just looking for input. Is there anything else out their that compares to it, etc... They seem to pack down nicely judging from photos I've seen. Thanks
 
I love my poncho liners and have used them for about the last 20 years in four countries. I even had two sewn together to make a blanket, hell, I even had one sewn on the inside of a wool blanketthat I wouldn't give up without a fight. My two jack russells eah have their own poncho liners on the floor of their cages...................Look at wiggy's. They have a poncho liner now for 60 bucks that's fantastic, I have two.
 
Depending upon your budget the Snugpak jungle bag cannot be beat.

It can be unzipped and used like a poncho liner. It can be zipped up and used like a sleeping bag. It even has a screen pull over to keep the bugs out in sleeping bag mode. It compresses down much smaller than a traditional poncho liner too.

-Stan
 
I like the $25 regular army issue ones. They are a great size and work excellent in a hammock. I thought a long time about the Kifaru one, but then decided if I needed warmth beyond the army-issue one then I would rather go to a down barrel bag. They can be folded and rolled tight enough to keep the volume down.

DSC_0003-11.jpg
 
No problem dude, you'll love 'em. That's the first thing I usually pack, although sometimes some companies don't want you to have ANY camouflage gear on you at any times, when I accept jobs like that, I usually go with two "exped" type grey poncho liners.
 
The new MARPAT issue liner is better than the older tri color ones. A bit higher loft which let's it compress smaller and keep warmer. Used with a lightweight inflatable pad and a bivy sack it makes for a 3 season sleep system.

The Kifaru woobie is light years ahead of issue liners.
 
I just got back from northern Michigan and camped with two liners. I was a little cold since I forgot my wool cap. It got down to about mid 50s which is about my limit with those. Otherwise it's sleeping bags.
 
Best non-issue piece of gear the Army should issue. I've used them for over 30 years. It's usually the only thing I sleep under; even Stateside. It has thrown off a couple women, but they don't last as long as the liner. Normally I just use the bivy sack and a liner with a lite pad unless I know it's going to get below freezing.
 
I have a Kifaru Woobie, I'll be trying it out this weekend for the first time. I recently saw a new poncho liner in US Cavalry's newest catalog. It's the 782 Gear Smokin’ Kloke, cost is about $130, worth checking out.
 
i bought 3 of the wiggy's a few years ago for something like $18.

they don't compress as nicely as the regular liner and i can't say they're any warmer. i would go with a regular liner instead of the wiggy's. we use the wiggy's as a beach blanket or ground sheet.
 
if money is not an issue check out the Kiafru Woobie. I don't have first hand experience with them, but I hear great things, and am saving for one now. I am in the Army, and can't say enough good things about my woobie (aka...poncho liner). they are a great piece of kit.

https://kifaru.net/woobie.html
 
Kifaru Woobie is tops (I think the Gen 2 woobie is bigger than the GI poncho. Their Rhinohide is good enough that most people were just using the woobie and a sleep mat, but wanted a bigger woobie).

But for a S. Florida guy, the GI liner is probably going to be warm enough. On the few days it gets cold, pack a second one. Like an above poster said, a Gortex bivy, a poncho liner or two and a sleep mat, and you've got a good warm climate sleep system.
 
Craig, I am a cold natured person but I can deal with a poncho liner till about 35deg. They are worth there weight in gold. They are very warm, light and dry quickly. I have used them in Iraw, and Afghanistan. We use what's called a ranger role. poncho, and liner tied together. They are a must. I kepp one in my truck and in the wifes car. Pm me if you have not gotten one I might have one I can trade.
 
Thanks for all the info guys and thanks for the trade offer Adam. I think the reason I get too hot down here is because I grew up in Buffalo and am used to the cold. I pulled the trigger and got a liner down at the local Army/Navy store. Since its still scalding down here I cranked the A/C into the high 60's(would have gone lower but every degree is $$$ out the window) and gave it a shot inside. I'm a big guy at 6-04/290 and the liner was big enough to cover me completely and kept me comfortable all night long. I just picked up a Maxpedition Mongo for a light day trip bag and it rolls up nicely into it over my older Jumbo bag. Moving to North Georgia next year so I think after giving the liner a true test in the fall up there I'll see if I need to look further into the Wiggy's. I'd like to add that I'm a new guy to posting but after viewing other forums the folks here sure are one helpful bunch and I'm glad to now be a part of it.
 
No problem, you will not be dissapointed with it. I never go over night without one. And they take up no room. I can't wait to get out of florida. when I leave this state I am never commign back except for cave diving.
 
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