Rainjacket or poncho? - Horizons Unlimited

**Pwyll** · #1 22 Aug 2010

Hello,

I am in need of a new rainjacket and I am looking into poncho's as well.
I am wondering if it is better to buy a poncho or a jacket with a zipper. I can imagine the poncho flying around while riding and they also have wide and short sleeves. Or are there poncho's with sleeves that close around your wrists. If so I haven't found any yet.
Does anybody have experience with both of them? I don't seem to be able to make up my mind and going to need it in 9 days cause I'll be going to Scotland then with a friend for 8 days of travel mayhem and pub crawling. And unless I'm mistaken about the weather in Scotland, there'll be a fair chance I'll need something waterproof.

**DAVSATO** · #2 22 Aug 2010

ponchos are useless on a bike, go for a pullover waterproof jacket with no zip or fastening. dont know what you would call them in belgium but look for "pac-a-mac", "mac-in-a-bag" type of thing as a cheap option, but if they have a zip at the front then water will blow straight in.
best bet might be for a proper biking one, i have a jacket from alpinestars which is excellent.

**steved1969** · #3 22 Aug 2010

If you are planning on wearing it while riding, a jacket. Ponchos are great for walking around in, but to try and ride in one just strikes me as an accident waiting to happen.

**bushman_uk** · #4 22 Aug 2010

Poncho's are brilliant they have so many uses sleep under , floor mat and also keeping you nice and dry, but on a bike think it would act like a big parachute and i have to agree with the previous post an accident waiting to happen.

**grizzly7** · #5 22 Aug 2010

Jacket with velcro adjustment straps on the cuffs to take up the too long sleeves if you're a short arse

**markharf** · #6 22 Aug 2010

The question itself (poncho or parka) suggests an unfamiliarity with 1. motorbike riding, 2. rain, 3. ponchos. There is no way you could ride faster than a slow crawl in a flapping poncho, and no way the rain would stay out. The only question in my mind is how long it would take before the poncho caught in your wheels or chain and ended the experiment: One block? A couple of miles?

**Pwyll** · #7 22 Aug 2010

Thanks for the tips, guys. The pullover waterproof jacket seems like a good thing, you get the best of both worlds as it seems.
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Quote:

Originally Posted by markharf

The question itself (poncho or parka) suggests an unfamiliarity with 1. motorbike riding, 2. rain, 3. ponchos. There is no way you could ride faster than a slow crawl in a flapping poncho, and no way the rain would stay out. The only question in my mind is how long it would take before the poncho caught in your wheels or chain and ended the experiment: One block? A couple of miles?

In the film Terra Circa there's a guy riding around in a poncho. I got the idea from that film. And since I need a new jacket, I was just wondering.

**DAVSATO** · #8 22 Aug 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pwyll

Thanks for the tips, guys. The pullover waterproof jacket seems like a good thing, you get the best of both worlds as it seems.
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In the film Terra Circa there's a guy riding around in a poncho. I got the idea from that film. And since I need a new jacket, I was just wondering.

and if you ask austin vince about it, he will confirm nobody on terra circa was normal. its important to be different for some people. a spaghetti western fetish maybe? ponchos are great for walkers, and warming round a fire, but not riding on a motorcycle

**dave ett** · #9 23 Aug 2010

How about a poncho, then use bungees around your waist to keep it from flapping? Elastic bands round your wrists and you're sorted.

**MikeS** · #10 23 Aug 2010

I seriously wouldn't recommend wearing a poncho in a Scottish pub. That's all I'm saying.

Actually, I had one for my Americas trip. I wore it once and it got resigned to being a footprint for my tent. Just get a waterproof/breathable jacket.