usgi poncho liner

RescueRiley

RescueRiley

Joined
Mar 22, 2006
Messages
5,944
Just got a usgi poncho..Very nice..It's exactly the same dimensions as the tarp I use for shelter normally so I figured I'd replace the tarp and my old poncho and combine the 2...I was wondering about the liner Does it make it much warmer??? During the summer months I usually just sleep in my clothes when out and don't use my sleeping bag unless I have to...Could it double like a blanket in moderate conditions??? Thanks...
 
Heck yes! Poncho liner is an excellent piece of kit. The best one is made by Kifaru, and I sleep with one all the time to 45 F. I've spent a many and many a night with only that.
 
I loved my poncho liner.... carried it like a woobie for the ten years I was in the military. It does extra duty as a light blanket/ sleeping bag (if you use the ties when folded) or a ground cover with the poncho used for overhead shelter. Mine was woodland camo so it could be used for quick camo if needed. It helps a bit if the temp drops while using the poncho in the rain.

There were times I carried the liner and left the poncho at home if rain was not a problem. All in all, it's a great peice of gear.....light weight and compact.
Hope this helps.

J
 
Hey Riley
Years ago when I was a young Marine we spent many nights under the stars with nothing but a pancho for a ground cloth and top cover and a pancho liner for warmth I remember them being much warmer then there weight would indicate It should work for spring and summer months by it self and with a wool blanket when it gets a little cooler
 
In the summer I use my poncho liner and a bivy quite often. They also make a great back blanket in a hammock in coler weather and used inside a sleeping bag in winter. They are a great piece of kit. Incidentely they are one of the most "stolen" items when US troops do joint exercises with foreign units. I'm sure many GI's have traded them away for all sorts of souvineers. Mac
 
At the land survival course in Washington I put the liner to good use. In the course of evading I became soaked despite the poncho. I was fine until I hunkered down and then I started shivering. I remembered I had the liner and wrapped up while sitting in my hidey-hole. It was warm enough under there that my BDU dried off and I dozed off for a few hours.
 
I just pulled my poncho liner out after over 25 years about a month ago. I just found it again. Brought back great memories. Washed it and gave it to my oldest son. Like had been said its a great piece of kit for those mild nights out.

The combination of poncho and liner is a nice little piece of work. One of the better thought out things the military did. On pare with the p-38. One of those small things that doesn't get the type of credit it deserves.

KR
 
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A poncho (two is even more handy) and a poncho liner will get you through almost anything. I consider these (or something similar) to be far more necessary than fishing hooks and many other things that some people consider to be "necessary survival gear." Military guys have been surviving with a poncho and liner for decades... even without $600 monster knives and all the other stuff the gear whores carry.
 
pict said:
Incidentely they are one of the most "stolen" items when US troops do joint exercises with foreign units. I'm sure many GI's have traded them away for all sorts of souvineers. Mac
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Lol, how do you think I got mine ? (cost me 2 meals' worth of IMPs)

I definitely came out ahead on that one - good gear to have.
 
Where's a happy place to order a USGI poncho and liner? Edit: (or equivalent, if there is one...?)
 
boing said:
Where's a happy place to order a USGI poncho and liner? Edit: (or equivalent, if there is one...?)
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WIGGY'S!
I just got two desert camo ones for $17.50/each and they seem even better than the ones I remember from many years ago in the Army. Got one out and wrapped up in it when they arrived and it felt great.
 
pict said:
Case and point. We have a WINNER!

Any one else want to fess up?

Mac
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I actually paid for my liner. Strangely the army use to issue the poncho but not the liner as I remember. I bought my own liner. Actually I think I had bought several over the years. Worth every dime. :thumbup:

KR
 
the Canadian army uses American poncho liners as something called a "ranger blanket" . they seem to love it,its one of the things they seek out when they are out of the army
 
Ya, the US poncho liner was recommended kit. I have several now but the first one I bought about 20 years is still my favorite. It's the lightest weight liner I have and I haven't seen on like it in 20 years.

I also have a cheap china liner and several wiggys poncho liners. The wiggys are very good quality. Their website still shows them but I think they won't be making them anymore.

I didn't know kifaru made one but I just checked their websit and saw them and checked the price :eek:, I took a sencond look :eek: just to make sure I saw what I thought I saw...OMG!:eek:

The poncho liner is a must have!
 
If you know someone who sews very well, I had a couple of my poncho liners made up into light weight sleeping bags for car emergencies and summer camping.
 
The liners have changed a bit, for the better IMO. The material seems to insulate better, thinsulate . Rangerjoes, brigade quartermaster, all those places have them. Look here: http://www.google.com/products?q=po...a=X&oi=product_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title

Take a look at Ranger Rick's poncho liner conversion. It makes it easier to zip up the poncho liner and also allows you to were the liner inside a poncho that you are wearing normally over your head. The normal poncho liner does not have a head opening and is used primarily as a blanket roll. http://www.therangerdigest.com/Tips...ONVERSION_/body_poncho_liner_conversion_.html

Kifaru- I don't understand how anyone that isn't getting an Iraq-bound contractor equipment allowance buys that stuff.
 
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A friend served in the British Army in Iraq. He came into possession of a US poncho liner. Thought it was one of the world's greatest inventions.

I have several. The Wiggy liner is thicker but I think a tad shorter and not as wide as the GI models.

The Ranger Rick conversion is something to look into.
 
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