Skip to Content

5 Best Rain Ponchos for Hiking and Backpacking (2024)

| Updated Dec 29, 2023

You’ve been looking forward to hiking on your camping trip but now it won’t stop raining! No problem. Here is a guide to the best rain ponchos for hiking and backpacking.

It happens to many of us. You’re in the middle of your hike and enjoying the beauty of nature when that dark cloud rolls in suddenly. Rain falls heavily upon you, and you have miles to go before you return to your campsite.

After one time, you'll swear you'll never be caught without better protection again!

But when hiking and enjoying other outdoor activities, you don’t always want or have much space for a cumbersome jacket. Taking a poncho is a perfect, compact solution.

If you buy something through our links, we may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep our lights on so we can continue to provide helpful resources for RVers. Read our full affiliate disclosure here.

5 Best Rain Ponchos for Hiking

There are several important features that distinguish disposable ponchos from high-quality reusable rain ponchos. Here are our best poncho recommendations with pros and cons for each. to help you make your choice and not be so nervous when checking that weather forecast for bad weather.

1 – Sea To Summit Ultra-SIL Nano Tarp Poncho

5 Best Rain Ponchos for Hiking and Backpacking (2024) 1
Sea To Summit Ultra-SIL Nano Tarp Poncho

Most ponchos are made to fit any kind of person, so you don’t have to worry about figuring out which size you are.

But the Sea to Summit has the distinction of having the biggest size, one of the most important traits when looking for the best rain poncho for hiking.

Large dimensions are important in case you have a large backpack you also want to cover up. It also helps to keep your legs dry, even when on the move.

This one will reach the knee on the average person. This is ideal. You don’t want lower than that.

Another benefit to its generous size is that it can be used as a rain tarp in a pinch. It’s big enough for two people in emergency situations.

Its waterproof material means it won’t leak and can withstand heavy rain.

Its fabric makes it lightweight, only half a pound when packed. It’s also durable, and even features snap buttons on the sides for good ventilation and adjustability.

The trifecta of size, lightweight, and durability makes the Sea to Summit the best overall model.

Pros:

  • Big enough to function as an emergency shelter
  • Durable
  • Waterproof fabric
  • Lightweight

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Often sold out
  • Could be too big for you if you’re not wearing a big rucksack

2 – FROGG TOGGS Men’s Waterproof Breathable Poncho

5 Best Rain Ponchos for Hiking and Backpacking (2024) 2

If you’re looking for a more affordable price but still want some similar features to the Sea to Summit, this Frogg Togg is one of the best rain ponchos for hiking.

If you’re already lugging a lot of gear, your back will be grateful for its low weight of half a pound. It can even fit in your pocket! It’s easily foldable and packable, making it the best lightweight rain poncho.

However, this lightweight poncho doesn’t have the highest quality material on this list, so it is less durable.

But one advantage to this material is that it is breathable. If you find yourself prone to getting sweaty and sticky on your hikes, this poncho may be the best option for you.

It’s also huge in size at 36 by 44 inches, easily protecting you and your backpack from rain. The side snaps and its adjustable hood make it easy to customize and get a better fit.

Pros:

  • Most lightweight
  • Easy to pack
  • Big in size
  • Breathable
  • More affordable

Cons:

  • Not made from the highest quality material
  • Not a good option for short people (it might drag on the ground!)

By the way, if you'd rather avoid rain altogether, you should check out 5 Great Places for RVers Who Hate the Rain.

3 – Charles River Apparel Pacific Poncho

5 Best Rain Ponchos for Hiking and Backpacking (2024) 3

While ponchos do a good job keeping you dry, a lot still looks like a glorified trash bag.

Not the Charles River. In my opinion, this is a stylish rain poncho.

To boot, they offer six different colors. If you’re thinking about looking good out on the trail, this may be your best rain poncho for hiking.

It doesn’t skimp on features either. Like the others, it’s lightweight and easy to pack.

It has heat-sealed seams that make it ultra-durable. Plus it has a drawstring hood to prevent water from seeping down the neck.

The downside is that it cuts at the waist. So unless you buy the accompanying pants poncho as well, it won’t do the best job at keeping your legs dry in heavier rainfall.

Such is the cost for a stylish poncho!

Pros:

  • Looks great
  • Different color options
  • Lightweight
  • Durable
  • Drawstring hood

Cons:

  • Short
  • No pockets

4 – Snugpak Patrol Poncho

5 Best Rain Ponchos for Hiking and Backpacking (2024) 4

If you’re someone who likes to keep dry at all costs, the Snugpak is your best rain poncho for hiking.

Fully tapered seams and enclosed seams really do the trick. And the fabric is waterproof, windproof, and light enough to still be breathable.

Because of its size and fabric, the total weight is 13 ounces. This makes it one of the heavier ponchos, but it’s worth it if you don’t mind carrying that minor extra weight around.

It even features a chest pocket sealed by Velcro to hold things you would want to access on your hike, like a map. This way you won’t need to dig through your backpack in the elements.

Pros:

  • Velcro-sealed chest pocket
  • Breathable
  • Durable fabric

Cons:

  • On the expensive end
  • Might be baggy on shorter adults
  • Relatively heavy

5 – Green Gear EcoRain® Poncho Poncho

ecorain poncho in packaging

Green Gear Supply is on a mission to help you enjoy the outdoors sustainably. They've started their venture with the EcoRain® Poncho.

With eco-friendliness in mind, they do a lot different than other poncho makers:

“What makes us different is that instead of using climate-damaging petroleum to make our ponchos, we use sugarcane bioplastic, which has a net-negative carbon footprint and is fully recyclable. Our ponchos are ASTM-certified 100% bio-based, which means that 100% of their content comes from plant sources and 0% from fossil fuels.”

The ponchos are reusable and recyclable. As an added bonus, they can be customized with company logos or family monograms for corporate events or family trips.

To top it off, each purchase also contributes to environmental non-profits through their partnership with 1% for the Planet.

Pros:

  • 100% recyclable and reusable
  • Plastic-free & sustainable packaging options
  • Helps support environmental nonprofits
  • Can be customized
  • Adjustable hood

Cons:

  • No pockets
  • Doesn’t pack that small
  • Not as heavy duty as other options

Hope this helps you hike without letting a little wet weather stop you.

Your Vote for Best Backpacking Poncho

Are you like me and have been caught out in the rain? Or perhaps were smarter and prepared from the start?! Either way, we'd love to hear your recommendation for the best rain poncho for hiking. Let us know in the comments!

Also check out: 9 Rainy Day Activities While Camping

The Great Lakes Adventure Guide Bundle
(The Great Lake Shoreline Tour & Upper Peninsula RV Adventure Guide)

5 Best Rain Ponchos for Hiking and Backpacking (2024) 5

Jennifer and I have been visiting Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for more than three decades. We’ve hiked, photographed, camped, fished, and explored every region and the problem of bugs in the UP is minuscule compared to the joy we experience every time we visit!

Bugs aside, the UP is our favorite place. So much so that we wrote an Adventure Travel Guide on the Upper Peninsula aimed at RVers.

This instantly downloadable ebook is a seven-day guided exploration of the Michigan Upper Peninsula.

We provide a suggested route and itinerary, links to multiple campgrounds and boondocking spots, and the best spots to see along the way.

Then we've bundled it with one of our newest ebooks on the Great Lakes!

The Great Lakes Shoreline Tour — One of our favorite RV trips has been driving the United States side of the five Great Lakes.

It is a trip of over 4,000 miles and takes you to 8 states!

And it’s filled with beautiful vistas, welcoming towns and villages, and fabulous places to camp, hike, and explore.

Both of these ebooks have something for everyone and all it takes is one visit to make it one of your top destinations.

All you need to do is point the RV north and follow our guide to experience the UP like a Yooper and explore The Great Lakes like an explorer. CLICK HERE for more details.


Mike Wendland

Published on 2022-09-04

Mike Wendland is a multiple Emmy-award-winning Journalist, Podcaster, YouTuber, and Blogger, who has traveled with his wife, Jennifer, all over North America in an RV, sharing adventures and reviewing RV, Camping, Outdoor, Travel and Tech Gear for the past 12 years. They are leading industry experts in RV living and have written 18 travel books.

3 Responses to “5 Best Rain Ponchos for Hiking and Backpacking (2024)”

June 08, 2021at12:22 pm, 17 Best RV Gifts For Dad - 2boomersandababy said:

[…] If you’re looking for another kind of poncho, here are 4 more options. […]

Reply

June 06, 2021at1:49 am, How Long Does It Take To Hike 5 Miles?  - 2boomersandababy said:

[…] It’s usually a good idea to plan your hike when the weather will be clear, and not too hot. Having less unpredictability in your day is not only safer but can help you plan your hike time. Did you see our post about the best rain ponchos?  […]

Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top
38 Shares
Share32
Tweet
Share
Pin6
Email