Andinia.com - Product Review: Sierra Outdoor Trading Post

Sierra Outdoor Trading Post - Ponchos

Ponchos are the invention of the Argentine Gauchos; they have unlimited uses in any outdoor venture and if you try them, you will soon find out why and how; get yours at Sierra Outdoor Trading Post.

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There are different types of ponchos in the market, but for really heavy-duty outdoor usage, just a handful of them will be good enough because for that you need to attain several goals when equipping yourself with a new poncho.

First of all, it should be manufactured using heavy-duty fabrics, treated with plastic or rubber to turn them rainproof. Ponchos made out of polyethylene or lightweight plastic may be practical for some uses, but they will fall apart the first time you try to use them in a survival situation in the wilderness; the best models in this regard are those manufactured for the military.

Secondly, when buying outdoor equipment for an expedition party or expeditionary group, choosing a standard and sticking to it may be very important: various ponchos can be joined together in order to improvise bigger structures such as canoes, shelters, rafts, sails, etc. and then, if ponchos are all the same, cannibalisation will be possible, if necessary.

If all ponchos used within the context of the same adventure group are similar, it will be much easier to combine in this fashion.

And thirdly, it is advisable to supplement your poncho with a set of cords to tie them up in any way possible. The best cords for such uses have an approximate diameter of 5 mm., like your shoe laces, and have been designed for extreme uses such as the construction of parachutes or mountain climbing gear.

No doubt about it: there are other good cords around, but parachute cords and climbing ropes will always guarantee you a certain sturdiness and structural resistance, because they have been designed to support the weight of the human body under extreme circumstances.

And last but not least, please practice survival techniques before you have to use them in reality; the best equipment will do no good for you if you don't develop the necessary skills to take advantage of it.