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Has the Zpacks Groundsheet Poncho Made Rain Gear Obsolete?
This winter, I had the opportunity to test out the Zpacks Groundsheet Poncho, an innovative piece of gear that doubles as both a poncho and a groundsheet, offering ultralight protection when you’re on the move. Weighing just 5.9 ounces and constructed from Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF), this poncho is designed for the minimalist backpacker who wants to stay dry without adding unnecessary weight to their pack.
Zpacks Groundsheet Poncho At a Glance
MSRP: $249
Weight: 5.9 oz.
Dimensions: 52″ x 90″ (132 cm x 229 cm)
Sizing: One Person
Since the poncho doesn’t reach all the way to the ground, I’d recommend pairing it with rain or wind pants for trails with cold rain (I’m looking at you, CDT).
Intended Use
Zpacks markets the Groundsheet Poncho as the perfect solution for ultralight hikers who need versatile, all-weather protection. It’s a hybrid between a rain poncho and a groundsheet, offering waterproof coverage during rainy days while also providing a dry spot to sit or sleep when it’s time to set up camp.
While it isn’t the best option for cold, rainy conditions (you’ll want to pair it with rain pants or a rain kilt for more coverage), it’s a great tool for mild to moderate weather, providing excellent waterproof protection while keeping weight to an absolute minimum.
Circumstances of Review
I tested the Zpacks Groundsheet Poncho in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where the February weather brought a mix of snow and rain. It was the perfect environment to see how the poncho performed in variable weather conditions.
Zpacks Groundsheet Poncho Features
Versatile Design: The Zpacks Groundsheet Poncho is truly a two-in-one tool. In poncho mode, it keeps rain off your body, and in groundsheet mode, it provides a waterproof barrier between you and the wet ground.
Durable Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF): DCF is a game-changer in the UL fabric world. It’s waterproof, incredibly durable, and lightweight. No coatings or potentially harmful chemicals are added to the fabric, making it a safe and reliable choice for anyone concerned about environmental impact.
Fitted Hood with Visor: The poncho includes a fitted hood with a visor that does a great job of keeping rain off your face. This is a thoughtful addition for anyone who’s used to having water trickle down while wearing a standard rain jacket. While it’s not as enclosed as a full jacket, the visor helps deflect water away from your face, keeping things dry even in heavier rain.
Waterproof Zipper for Venting: A waterproof zipper at the neck lets you adjust ventilation on warmer, muggy days, preventing you from overheating. It’s a useful feature that allows for airflow while keeping the water out, and the zipper adds flexibility when the weather is inconsistent.
Side Zippers for Wind Resistance: With half-length separating zippers at each side, the poncho ensures that the sides won’t blow open in the wind. This feature keeps the poncho stable in gusty conditions, which is especially useful when you’re hiking in exposed areas.
Elastic Waist Belt: The elastic belt at the waist allows you to cinch the poncho around you, helping trap warmth when needed. If it’s a warmer day, you can leave it loose for better airflow. Either way, you have control over how snug or airy you want your coverage to be.
Fully Taped Seams: Zpacks makes sure no water sneaks in by fully taping the seams. This eliminates the need for additional seam sealing, saving you time and effort during setup.
Not only are the seams sealed, but all openings (head and both arms) are able to be completely zipped shut when in “groundsheet mode,” making the groundsheet leak-proof.
Usage
Now that we’ve covered the features, let’s dive into how the poncho performs in real-world conditions.
Weather Resistance
The Zpacks Groundsheet Poncho shines as a lightweight alternative to bulkier rain gear. It covers you well in light to moderate rain, but without the full coverage of a jacket, your arms will likely get wet in heavier downpours. That said, it’s designed to cover you from head to mid-thigh (including your pack!), so it’s ideal for adventures in areas with milder weather.
If you’re looking for something that will keep you fully dry in colder, more extreme weather, you’ll want to pair this poncho with other gear like rain pants or a rain kilt. For me, this meant I could comfortably hike through light rain without feeling too hot or bogged down by excess gear.
As expected from DCF, the Poncho excels in shedding water. On my test hikes, it held up well against rain, keeping me dry without soaking through. The waterproof zipper was especially helpful in allowing me to ventilate on warmer days while keeping the rain out. In heavier, sustained rain, I would have appreciated a bit more coverage for my arms, but for most of my trips, the poncho was more than enough.
Setup
In poncho mode, the setup is incredibly straightforward. Simply pull it over your head and adjust the elastic waist to your liking. In groundsheet mode, it’s just as simple to lay it down and use it to sit or sleep on. At the end of the day, this is just a well-cut piece of waterproof fabric; it’s very simple to use.
I’ve used this poncho as a groundsheet under a tent (it worked great) and as a base for cowboy camping (it worked great).
Packability
One of the greatest features of the Groundsheet Poncho is its ultralight packability. At 5.9 ounces, it compresses down into an incredibly small package that can fit easily in your pack.
When you’re trying to minimize every ounce, this poncho provides great versatility without taking up much room or weight, and it allows you to make more space in your pack by eliminating the now-redundant groundsheet and rain gear.
Zpacks Groundsheet Poncho Pros
Ultralight: Anyone trying to cut the weight in their pack can attest that the two best gear decisions you can make are leaving the gear at home and finding items that are multi-use. The Poncho fully checks the second box! The combined weight of my previous groundsheet and raincoat was 18 oz, and I’ve now cut that down to a third of the weight.
Durable and Waterproof: Constructed from DCF, the poncho is both waterproof and durable. You can rely on it to keep you dry in most conditions without worrying about wear and tear.
Ease of Setup: The poncho/groundsheet is quick and easy to deploy. No complicated setup is required, which is perfect when you’re looking to save time and energy.
Compact and Packable: The small pack size is one of the standout features, making it easy to carry along on your trip without adding bulk. The poncho/groundsheet fits perfectly in my pack where my Tyvek previously sat, and I am able to remove my raincoat completely. A net decrease in pack bulk!
It may not 100% replace my rain gear for colder trails, but because it covers my pack, it can replace both my heavier Tyvek and my pack cover/liner. For shorter hikes, or for hikes with warmer rain, it will also replace my rain gear.
Zpacks Groundsheet Poncho Cons
Limited Coverage: While it provides excellent coverage for the torso, the short sleeves will cause your arms to get wet during a heavy downpour. It’s not ideal as a standalone piece of rain gear for colder conditions.
Exposed Legs: Coverage only extends to mid-thigh, meaning your legs are still exposed to rain. Pair it with rain pants or a kilt for added protection if necessary. Personally, I’ll still be bringing along my rain pants to pair with this setup.
Price: Time to address the elephant in the room: this is a $250 piece of waterproof fabric. The cost might be hard to justify for those on a budget or those who only need basic rain protection. For some, it may feel like an investment that doesn’t offer enough additional functionality compared to more affordable alternatives.
For me, I look at this as a high-end, ultralight rain jacket, many of which are in similar price ranges. Only you can decide if this is the right investment for your gear setup.
Would I Recommend It?
If you’re an ultralight hiker who enjoys the simplicity of minimalist gear, the Zpacks Groundsheet Poncho is a fantastic option. It may not be suitable as your sole rain protection in colder or wetter conditions, but for lightweight trips in mild conditions, it works beautifully. Its packability and versatility make it a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to cut down on gear weight while still having reliable protection when the weather turns, though some understandably may not be willing to justify the price tag.
Would I use it on the Appalachian Trail? Probably not as my only rain gear, but it would definitely make a great addition for lighter trips or in combination with other rain gear (like rain pants or a kilt).
Here’s to many dry and cozy nights ahead!
Comparable Products
Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape
- MSRP: $155
- Weight: 11 oz
Outdoor Products Multipurpose Poncho
- MSRP: $35
- Weight: 9 oz
The Zpacks Groundsheet Poncho was donated for purpose of review
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Comments 8
Exposed arms are a real downside too.
Agreed! I want to try it in a colder environment and see if I have success pulling my arms under the material. If not, I guess it’s saved for just those warm summer trips!
Ponchos excel at providing pack coverage which is at least as important (to me) as body coverage. Since I eschew trekking poles, it’s easy to pull my arms inside my poncho while walking. I’m convinced that YouTube is responsible for the dearth of backpacking ponchos because they just don’t look as cool as rain jackets, so influencer types won’t be seen in a poncho, but objectively they provide good rain coverage and superior ventilation.
Katie, was it truly easy to wear over pack? i had the seas to summit poncho tarp and enjoyed its pros that are identical to much of what youve written, BUT it was a devil of a time to actually to get it on and covering me and my pack. so i sold it
I found it pretty simply! I could wait to zip up the sides until everything was situated over the pack, so it was much easier to manage than having to pull the whole poncho down over the bag at once.
I love my ZPacks poncho and the absolute most important “pro” for me is that it is a complete game changer in terms of venting sweat and avoiding moisture build-up inside. I have used numerous brands of rain gear (Marmot, Montbell, North Face, etc) and no matter what the ventilation rating one inevitably ends up dripping wet inside from your own sweat even with pit zips open. The poncho is so loose fitting and has so many large openings that it has a radically different, drier, cooler feel inside. Yes, in February weather that openness has disadvantages but for typical 3 season hiking body heat and moisture is a much bigger issue for me even in rainy conditions and I’ve found nothing better than this.
Sounds like a much upgraded version of what was done back in the day when we dinosaurs were younger with coated nylon ponchos. A downside was/is waking up in rain, wanting to hike, and realizing your raingear is under your tent (if you were/are using a tent with a bottom).
great call… and makes sense coming from Soggy!