Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela

[sillydoll]

I have always preferred using a rain jacket and trousers to a poncho. In Late August we set off from Roncesvalles in torrential rain. The rain ran down my back, between jacket and pack cover, it poured down my trouser legs into my boots and I ended up drenched. We bought a 'raincoat-poncho' which is a combination of poncho and raincoat. It is a long rain coat with sealed seams, ventilation flaps in the front which zips up and has velcro stays; long sleeves with velcro to tighten around wrists, a snug hood with a peak and an adjustable 'hunchback' at the back to accommodate a backpack. It really was the answer in the rain. Better than a regular poncho which can blow up in the wind and which wide open sleeves don't keep your long sleeves dry. With a pair of short gaiters to keep trouser bottoms dry, it is all you need to keep dry without sweating up.
It was made in Spain and cost 28 euro. You can see it here: http://www.altus.es/default.aspx?info=00022D or order online at http://www.barrabes.com

[JohnnieWalker]

Sil,

Thanks for this. I walk a lot on my own and I've always thought for winter walking a poncho wouldn't be as effective as a rain suit, although I was very impressed with the poncho I used in the Spting. I know you can't do a demo for us but in your view how easy is it for someone on their own to put it on with out help? Does the rucksack go inside or outside? - if you know what I mean! And do you think it would be good for general winter use?

Regards

John

[sillydoll]

Hello John,
Putting on the rain-poncho is just like putting on a raincoat. You can wear it as a regular raincoat (without a rucksack) or, by undoing three poppers, put it on over your rucksack. The great thing about it is that it zips up in front - just like a regular raincoat - and you can tighten the sleeves at the wrist by fastening the velcro ties. It is really lightweight and we wore ours when we were in civvies when it rained in Santo Domingo de Silos - so I think it would be great for general use at any time of the year.

[egbert]

Hello Sil,
I tried using the url to get info on the raincoat but it wont work.
Can you check and let me know if it is correct?
Regards.........Egbert.

[sillydoll]

Hi,
The actual web site is http://www.altus.es
Type 'poncho' in the search page
Click on poncho atmospheric
On the extreme right hand side of the page is the British Flag.
Hope this helps.

Here is the URL again: http://www.altus.es/default.aspx?info=00022D

[egbert]

Hello Sil,
That was quick! Many thanks.
Kind regards........Egbert.

[Mouse]

Hi Sil

Do you know if it's possible to buy this over the internet or only in Spain?

[sillydoll]

Gooie more Muis!
I'm not sure, but it would be useful to know.
Here is their email address: yumaltus@yumaltus.com
Perhaps you could find out and let the forum know.
Drukkies!
Sil

[egbert]

Hello Sil,
I bought one online from barrabes.com yesterday.
Euro 24 plus postage.
Regards from a Sunny N Ireland.
Egbert.

[egbert]

Hello Sil,
I ordered the raincoat yesterday about 11am.It arrived this afternoon,delivered by DHL Express.
Pretty good service.
Regards............Egbert.

[sillydoll]

Pshew - that was quick service!
Isn't it a great raincoat? So easy to wear with a backpack.

[peregrina2000]

I have been looking for one of these things ever since I saw a Swiss pilgrim wearing one back in 2002. My walking partner found one at a store in Santander this summer on the Camino del Norte, but they only had one in stock and she was more in need than I.

Does anyone have suggestions for where those of us located in the US could find one of these ponchos? I've had trouble trying to order some things from the EU, and the shipping charges that are usually quoted are astronomical anyway.

And would those of you who have used one comment on its waterproof-ness? Also, I didn't see that it was gore-tex, so I'm wondering whether it has breathability "issues."

Many thanks, and welcome back, Sil. Many of us thoroughly enjoyed following your blog across the Camino.

Laurie

[Janeh]

welcome back Sil. I am interested in your opinion about the following rain coat I was going to order:

http://www.thepacka.com/index.html

It is a lot more expensive than the one you're recommending - is it similar, do you think yours would be the same -especially the ventilation issue. I don't want to spend money on something where I could get a cheaper one that is just as good. thanks for checking that out for us here in advance, Jane

[sillydoll]

Hello Jane,
I had a look at the pictures of the Packa and although it is difficult to rate a product you can't try out,
it looks like an excellent product. My only concern would be that it is quite short - almost like an anorak rather than a raincoat. The Altus product reaches my ankles (but then I am a shorty) and in very heavy rain one might only need short gaiters to keep completely dry.
The Altus jacket is very light - no rubber or gortex - and it has ventilation flaps on the chest area. It looks like and can be worn as an ordinary raincoat but has the 'humpback' section at the back that can be used when wearing a rucksack.

[Mouse]

Hello Sil,
I ordered the raincoat yesterday about 11am.It arrived this afternoon,delivered by DHL Express.
Pretty good service.
Regards............Egbert.

Ordered ours today - wonder how long we'll have to wait??

[Janeh]

thanks Sil for checking out the packa for me. I get very sweaty when I walk in a normal rain jacket. Does the Altus keep you from getting too sweaty - I know you said there are vents in the front, was this enough? Do you sweat a lot or not, so were you a good 'demonstrator" Also, thinking of the weight issue, could you get by without gaiters - after all it's only your legs and shoes that would be getting wet. Or is that vital that they stay dry too. I'd appreciate your learned experience on this. many thanks Jane

[sillydoll]

Hi Jane,
I always get a bit steamy under a rain jacket but didn't with this raincoat. The armholes are very wide, like a poncho but with a sleeve in it. Even the small size is quite voluminous with lots of room inside, especially when you have it over the backpack as well.
I didn't have gaiters but some people like to carry them to ensure that their trousers don't get wet. They are useful in muddy conditions.

[Janeh]

thanks Sil for that! I think know I will seriously consider yours as an alternative to the Packa. Hopefully they post to Australia! Jane.

[excavadora]

Hi Jane of Adelaide from Tony of Perth.

If you decide on the Spanish poncho and they DO post Down Under, could you let us know please? I'd be interested in getting one.

I'm looking at an alternative, a 750 gram long bushwalking jacket made by the New Zealand company Oringi. Nice bit of kit ... but it costs $275 (Aust)!

Cheers, Tony

[kiwirich]

Heya,
Great find sil- just bought one aswell- after walking the camino in May this year I was looking for an alternative to a heavy shell jacket and this looks like it will work a treat for my 2nd in February next year!!
Cheers,
Rich

[windeatt]

Many, many thanks to Sil and Egbert

For telling us about this raincoat/poncho and where to find it. Mine has just arrived and it looks good. I am sure it wil be more effective than the ones we used this summer and which leaked miserably. Here we are in them: http://www.suzielda.com/camino/viewphot ... =AC73C1758

However, despite the rain getting everywhere else - even into our vests - our rucksack innards didn't get wet - they were really super waterproof, see: http://www.suzielda.com/camino/viewphot ... =AC75C1824

I have weighed it and it comes about at just over 400 grams - this is a little heavy for me (a lightweight freak) but then it does look very efficient and worth the extra weight.

Thanks again,

Windy

[beckytrekandtravel]

About the sizing for the Altus Poncho. I couldn't find it online on their website. any idea about what size for 5"10" @180#'s
Thanks

[sillydoll]

Hi there,
My Altus is a S/M (small/medium) and it is huge on me! The sleeves are raglan so that the arm-hole starts somewhere about waist level. I am 5ft 2.5" tall and weigh around 56kg (± 124lbs).

[JohnnieWalker]

Funnily enough a few weeks ago on the Route Napoleon I met a wee woman who had walked from Nantes and was wearing one of these - she thought it was fabulous and said they were readily available in France.

[Arn]

The last key piece of equipment I need is the poncho.

I've checked both REI and Campmor here in the US. Both the REI and Campmor ponchos are similar to the Altus version mentioned above, with the Key (and I do mean KEY) difference being that the US ponchos apparently don't have ventilation at the arm pits. The Campmor poncho is currently on sale for about $26.00. Price as I've said before should not be the issue. Ventilation may be the deciding factor for me. Here are the sites (type in poncho):

http://www.campmor.com

http://www.rei.com

Arn