Looking for a decent poncho/tarp

The golite tarp Is 15d and it's fragile imo. I rippeed atieout just setting it up.

I have the Equinox Terrapin Ultralite Poncho / Shelter:
http://www.equinoxltd.com/the-gear/raingear/terrapin-ultralite-poncho-shelter.cfm
with the extension to go over a backpack (58×104 inches). I'm 6'2" and it fits well, except the face opening is just barely big enough – I wear a size 7-7/8 hat. It's been tough enough on the few occasions I've used, it, but I haven't done any bushwhacking with it. $70, about 10 ounces in silnylon.

Same poncho in regular nylon is the Equinox Terrapin Nylon Poncho:
http://www.equinoxltd.com/the-gear/raingear/terrapin-regular-poncho.cfm
with the extension it's 58×104 inches, no weight listed, $40.

— Rex

Brett, it sounds like you don't grasp the use of a poncho or you don't really want one.

If you don't have a way to support a Gatewood, how are you going to use a poncho as a shelter?

If a regular poncho would fit, why wouldn't a Gatewood?

A well sized poncho would normally cover about the same lower level as a rain shirt.

To get the ventilation and easy on/off of a poncho, it should go on top of your pack. Wearing one under your pack is really kind of a mess.

I have the MLD simple silnylon poncho tarp, and it's great. Has been great as both raingear and shelter, though usually only the former. I think MLD is doing a cuben fiber version now, would be my pick. Half the weight and 2.5 times the cost though. I think mine, a medium sized, weighs 6.5-7.0 oz.

Since all ponchos breath, all ponchos rip in the wrong conditions, and all ponchos don't really work as less than a compromise….

I gave up on them and just carry a cuben tarp and a dri duck jacket for the same weight and better coverage than a poncho tarp. This was my solution to my need for both even though I realize this isn't the answer you're asking for it is the correct one.

If you absolutely need a poncho tarp the only best time to use it is as a wind break since the areas that don't shred them basically don't rain either.

Yes my driduck jacket has a lot of patches I'll probably get a frogtog next time which will put me at 14 ounces total for shelter and rain gear but more durable.

I have used my gatewood as my sole shelter for almost 4 years. The thing is bomb proof. It's been in all conditions and I have never been compromised – including during all night wind and rain storms. It works fine as a poncho though I've never needed it for that. It acts as emergency rain gear in my kit. I prefer it to other like tarps because the head piece acts as an incredible vent in shelter mode. I've rarely had any condensation problems in my gatewood due to superior venting.

The only chance I'd ever replace my gatewood? If SMD made a cuben gatewood. I'm 6' and have plenty of room in shelter mode and it fits me perfect in poncho mode.

Why not? Carry a Swiss Army knife with a saw option and a peice of line the length you want as your measuring tape. Keep an eye out for the last half mile before camp and you'll be ready when you arrive.

Like I said, you'll need supports with any tarp shelter or poncho anyway and the Gatewood needs only one.

The aluminum pole option for the Gatewood is 3oz and the carbon fiber version is 1.8 oz. Not much!

Ahh, you're too all for the Gatewood. Ron should make an XL version.

I've thought about a poncho that has folding sides and ends to get up to a better shelter size, with the folded sides nearly reaching my neck and the ends folding up enough that my toes wouldn't hook the edge. You would have two layers of cloth over your shoulders and up to four layers in the front and back. It would need an array of snaps and/or Velcro to keep it all tidy. I've also though about a poncho with a mating tarp, or the ability to mate two ponchos for a larger shelter, like the old WWII shelter halves. The whole advantage to the poncho shelter is getting the multiple use weight value. I'm okay with them as rain gear, but they are just too small for a shelter when the weather gets stinky unless you have a good bivy.

Are you looking for light, cheap or all the above? I take it you don't want to carry poles either. What is your weight target and budget?

The drape thing sounds passable for a light summer shower, but I wouldn't go there for a good shelter. I've flipped a ground sheet over me when cowboy camping and it started to rain in the middle of the night. It was weak.

At your the best option by far is the larger MLD simple poncho-tarp. The Golite is a fine item and a good price, but at 6'5" you'll have to use good technique to get decent coverage.