Helikon Poncho Review
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- Опубликовано: 7 авг 2016
- I don't need to tell you how useful a poncho is, especially if you pair it up with a poncho liner, but how does the Helikon poncho measure up to someone who's used to the old USGI poncho? Can you do all the same things with the Helikon poncho that you could with the US poncho? Helikon has been making a pretty big name for themselves around the world with their tactical gear, and I can see why!
If you're wondering about the actual measurements, the Helikon poncho measures about 4.75' x 6.75' and the ripstop USGI poncho usually measures about 5.4' x 7.5' but there has been a lot of variation over the years. 
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The manufacturers should make them the larger size, because we use it for more than rain gear. It's not a fashion statement.
About 7 years ago, I got two genuine USGI ponchos to replace my worn out British Army 58 pattern ponchos (70s surplus bought in the 80s) which I use for backpacking. One rain gear and minimal shelter, two studded together can make a fully enclosed roomy shelter for one. Not as robust as the 58s, but still very tough, lighter and less bulky packed up. Both of my USGIs have black cinch cord locks.
Unless it's really cold I don't bother with rain pants, I wear gaiters over my boots that come up to just below the knee, so the most that gets wet is my knees, as the poncho flaps, from drips, and I can live with that.
Look for NATO country military ponchos if you can't get a good USGI and want the larger size, they're standard and the studs line up so allied forces can buddy up to make shelter.
Dutch Army ponchos are more widely available, and come with a stuff sack. The camo is woodland DPM which is very effective. All NATO ponchos will be heavier than the Helikon, if weight is a major factor for you. The USGI weighs 650g and is 228cm X 165cm.
Looking at the location of those wet spots on your T shirt, I'd have a feel inside around the waist cord tabs. A bit of seam sealer around the stitching should work.
For some people, staying in the comfort zone is all they need. But for more adventurous types, getting outside their comfort zone is the best way to grow. You're great at doing edited videos, but as you've said before, you've been kind of repeating the same old format for a while. The more recent stuff is really interesting, it's definitely different to the usual format that everyone is doing nowadays: gear review, set up a camp, have some dinner and go to bed. I think this is gonna be your chance to level up and raise your game... Do whatever makes you feel good.
Sold to the guy watching your channel lol, thanks for the best review I've seen subscribed
I spent the $70 for a Terra Nova poncho/tarp from wilderness outfitters and love it. 7x7, total coverage as a poncho and makes a great tarp shelter in all the usual configs. I keep all the paracord and 4 abs pegs right in the stuff sack it came with. Good to go!
Thanks for showing us this, I'm going to get one! Never had one before. I'd like to use it for desert camping, it looks like it would provide adequate shade. 👍🏼
I've been looking for a military rubberized poncho as thick mill as possible. Back in my military days (77-80), these were plentiful. As a avid hunter, my poncho saved the day on many occasions as I hunkered down and sheltered in place sitting out many a monsoon downpour. These ponchos could take a lot of wear and tear. Although man modern day ponchos offer the same features, they can't take the same wear and tear required by men in the field. When trekking out in the field, my poncho is one piece of equipment I will not be without.
I hope they make a wax jacket waterproof version. Teflon is really something we should use less of. The dmt chemical or whatever it is can be found at the far reaches of the earth and for centuries it will not decay, if not longer! I’d say handy waterproofing for a back up being light weight but reduce exposure to your skin if you can.
Very very good review, much information, thanks a lot :)
When I was in the Marines 70-74 it was a common opinion / Joke that the Poncho Liner was about the only thing worth a shit about the entire USMC...after getting out I camped in the Arizona Desert quite a lot and used a Poncho Liner I had put a zipper on to make a very light Sleeping Bag...
Still true today! I was in 2011-2015, they are issued with zippers now, and thats the only difference
Hi I've bought Helikon clothes and hats over the last few years. They are one of the best quality all round makes in the UK Good vids
Great review!
Very informative ; can't wait for the next one.
Thanks! It's a tough time of the year for videos but hopefully I'll be able to get them out on a somewhat regular basis, lol.
pretty good demostration of poncho+++
Great review thank you!
Great review! You covered everything I needed. Thanks, from one old ex infantryman to another
Thank you sir for this video.
Awesome review buddy .. I’ve just ordered 1 in same colour .. Cheers Chris & Sam
Very informative and good video
I just purchased the HD poncho survival poncho from wilderness innovation. WOW, that is all I need to say.
learned something new and a great video
Thank you! A poncho is one of the most versatile items you can pack around with you. I still might pick up a real USGI poncho if I have a chance, just because it's a little larger and it's what I'm used to, but this one will certainly work until then.
Thanks for the review :)
Yeah I was floored looking at current surplus poncho prices, went with this one as well. Pricing was reasonable and wanted one with grommets for sure.
I have the snugpak patrol in the backside of that Poncho is bigger so it will cover your pack and protect it from the rain. It's not cheap but you when you pack it down it's about the size of your fist maybe slightly bigger depending on how big your hands are
Good practical review dude👍
Thank you, and thank you for watching!
Good review!
That's a great video. I will always cheer for you in Korea I'm looking forward to a great video. Have a nice day.
Great video
well done my friend !! thanks much !!
Thank you!
I finally got one and want to start using it. thanks again sir ,!!!
Awesome! I've been carrying mine around more and more. Might get some use this month at a tracking event I have to attend for work.
Thank you!
thanks for the great info
Thank you, and thanks for watching and commenting!
Hey Pancho users in the rain I have a recommendation: keep something like the frogs togs top and pants with your gear. If you slide the pants on and then throw the punch over-the-top it'll keep your pants from becoming like a funnel and collecting water to go down into your boot. It'll also keep the heavy rain from splashing up off the ground and getting on your lower legs around the bottom of the Poncho so keep you dry keep you happy. Or you could use whatever brand of rain gear just keep the trousers with you for sure but however you need to work it out just make sure you understand the good and the bad about a poncho the bad is the splashing up and it doesn't cover your entire leg and where the Poncho rubs your leg on the outside of your calf it'll usually turn into a funnel of getting moisture into your boots and be doing a lot of walking and have a lot of trouble with that.
Very legit review
in new zealand they sell an el cheapo chinese welded pvc poncho for $20 bucks no water comes through the sides but you cant open it out to a tarp shelter.
i love it as it covers over my back pack as well and everything stays dry. it's light and compact. i'd love for it to be better shaped for over the back pack and of more durable material. i love it's cheapness and functionality. I'm not so big on raincoats per se' as one still gets wet pants from the drip line unless the coat drops below the knees.
IMO ponchos are the way to go.
Grait vid wiggy
great vids!, now i know how to use poncho!
Hi, great video. Can you pitch this with a pole in the hood and guy out the four tie out points more like a tent? Or do you just not get enough coverage like that? Thanks
Great review Wiggy. Pondering purchasing one of these from Helikon. How do you find the construction/material quality? If it is like other Helikon gear I'm guessing good. Going lighter, there always seems to be a compromise in strength and durability. I have a later issue dpm Brit basha without the hood, and it's bombproof....just weighs 2x what this does... and no hood. Loving your videos mate, really like your approach.
Thank you! The material feels about the same as the silnylon my tent is made with, or my ultra light backpacking tarp. I would rate this right under the genuine military ponchos. You can't beat the basha or USGI ponchos for how tough they are, but this is perfect for someone wanting to save on weight and still have similar uses as the military gear, and the price is better than the USGI ponchos for sure.
Bring a contractor 55 gallon drum liner bag as short bivvy to extend coverage.
What is the thickness of a drum liner bag? Are they different than 3 mil contractor bags? They bring up separate results for me.
Nice vid. God bless.
Thank you, and may He bless you too.
The Swiss cameo poncho hands down
Nice!
The spot maybe came as you took the poncho of. Then it easily drips on the front of the body somewhere, as there are a lot of vater sitting on the outside of the poncho. ??? I have tried the same with ponchos as well.
Favorite poncho 2017?
Almost got the mil tec but some reviews say it leaks A LOT in front at the seams
I have zero complaints about this poncho and I've been using it for a while now. It works great as a rain garment and also as a shelter. I used it as a lean-to in a recent camping video and it was perfect when paired with some mosquito netting. I don't have any experience with the miltec, but I saw the same reviews you did.
Hi. Thanks for the great review! How has it held up over the time? Is it durable? Thanks in advance.
It's held up great. I hear it's really expensive now though.
@@WiggysWilderness thanks. its about $40 so its not too bad.
Do you think you could make a closed end A frame
Nice
Hello Sir, what kind of shoes are you wearing? They look really interesting and practical for woods.
Those are the Rocky ProLight snake boots. They're waterproof and snake proof.
@@WiggysWilderness If they are waterproof, arent they hot in the summer?
You can go 5 levels above and apply nikwax waterproof solution and make that thing 100% waterproof on top of what it has.
Morning, been 3 years since u did the video... do you still have the Helikon ? If so do you still reccomend it ? Im looking fr a lightweight poncho tired of my canvas one...
Thank You
I've still got it and I still use it. I'd recommend it for sure.
Wiggy's Wilderness thnk you for reply... I will order one.. have great day
Hi, What are the ties for on the inside of the Poncho? Do they just adjust the fit?
Yes, they bring it in a little around the waist and keep the wind from blowing the poncho up beyond waist level. I've never seen anyone use those cords though, we used to pull them out on the ones we had in the military. They get caught on all your gear and the wind was never a big problem while wearing one.
Wiggy's Wilderness awesome, I thought as much. I've ordered a helikon poncho for wet weather camping, I'm hoping it will make life easier than a standard waterproof jacket. Cheers
What is the tie for on the inside of the poncho?
Who else saw the fruit loop at 4:34
Is there a "rule" to the heights for the high point of the plow or a lean too?
Not really, you just want a steep enough angle that water can't pool up on your tarp. It's kind of a judgement call, the more steep your angle is, the more efficient it will shed water, but the lower you set it, the more floor space you'll have under it. For something around a 5x7 tarp, I set my center height around waist high for a lean-to shelter. For a plow point shelter I set it a little lower so it gives you more protection from blowing rain and wind. If you're using natural material like leaf litter, you want the angle to be significantly more steep so it'll shed rain water before it can soak through the shelter and leak, but with a tarp or any other synthetic material it's all in what you like.
Can I use it as a groundsheet?
in Poland is cost less than $25
Pawel F. Yessss... But here in Germany come not so expensive. I love the helikon products, really wonderful quality at good price
I think it's a Polish brand. Very good kit.
I noticed there was a rope manufactured on the inside of the poncho. What is that rope for?
It ties around you so it doesn't flap around too much in the wind.
@@WiggysWilderness oh my gosh I feel so ignorant. Thank you so much sir
For 125 just for the liner it better keep me warmer than 50°.
Any other nylon or polyester ponchos that are cheap and compact?
I've never tried one, but it seems like a lot of people are getting the Mil-Tec ponchos. If I remember right, they have string ties rather than grommets.
Thousands of ponchos but not one that really works. 1. Needs to be big. 2. Needs to be QUIET. 3. Needs to be waterproof. 4. Needs 1/4 zip hood. 5. Needs SIX button and loop closures. Grommets always fail. 6. Needs to be compatible with it's own woobie.
Waterproof the wet spots are from when it touched you when you took it off...
It very well could have been. The wind picked up for a while with that storm, I could feel a little bit of a wet breeze blowing through me, lol. It was welcome though since the poncho material doesn't breathe and it was like 90 degrees outside, lol.
CAN YOU WEAR THIS PONCHO WITH ALICE PACK ON YOU'r BACK?
You can wear it over an alice pack.
I'm not really satisfied with the US Army Woodland camo pattern I really excited about the new a Tacs camouflage patterns in the dark brown if I can find one in that color I would buy a poncho but I'm still a big fan of rain jackets and rain pants if you know of anybody that makes an rain poncho or tarp in the atac coloring Brown really appreciate a link
I am a german native and can not understand the term used here ruclips.net/video/KBX6MiCNZuw/видео.html after "...improvised...". Could someone write here the term, please?
An improvised hunting blind. A spot to hide while hunting.
@@WiggysWilderness thanks
What kind of boots are those
Rocky ProLight snake boots
20 minutes in the rain?
What kind of boots are u wearing
Rocky prolight snake boots
Hi! Try this setup:
ruclips.net/video/J5-qdhC6q78/видео.html
are those snake proof boots???
Yes. Waterproof too.
The drops that was on your shirt after you pulled it off, probably landed there. when you were tring to pull it off!
That thing is $100 now.
I would not pay 100 bucks for a poncho.
Do you have a link to where one can buy the Poncho online? There's so much imitation crap out there.
made in China, for a Polish company....read closely my friend
What website did you use to get this?
Do you have a link to where one can buy the Poncho online? There's so much imitation crap out there.