Besides the obvious, what other ways can you use a plastic poncho? In a survival situation, the more uses you can get out of an item, the better. The fewer things you pack in your bug-out bag leaves room for more important gear, such as food, water, fire starters, medication and first aid supplies,. Further, the less you pack the more weight you cut down. If you do not regularly train or exercise with a 20-pound or more backpack strapped to your back, you are going to be in for a painful and tough lesson if you ever have to hoof it.
Compared to current manufactured cheapies, a Mil-Surp poncho is built to last and has an unlimited number of alternative uses during a disaster. Cheaper Than Dirt!’s original Swiss military rubberized poncho measures 32 inches wide and 46 inches long. It is finished in extremely vibrant Alpenflage camo. The rubberized nylon material with sealed seams guarantees to be waterproof and the broad cut of the shoulders provides enough room to cover a military-style backpack.
If you are not wearing a cap or helmet, the snap on the drawstring hood provides a rigid visor to shield your face without interrupting your vision. The opening for your arms measures 19 inches long and has two snaps to adjust for the size of your arms or how much access you want to the inside of the poncho. Snapped together, there is still enough venting room so you do not sweat.
At the bottom of each side of the poncho are two snap holes to connect more than one poncho together. You may also use them to snap up the ends of poncho to allow easier access to a sidearm or thigh holster. I discovered using these snaps to tie up the ends of the poncho, because it is incredibly large on a shorter person. I am 5’5” and the poncho fits me as if I just cut a hole in the middle of a queen-sized bed sheet! The arms holes are too wide for my smaller body, but this poncho would definitely keep my pack, legs, back and the front of my torso dry.
The Swiss military surplus Alpenflage poncho is more circular than square like a traditional Mexican poncho. However, this cut lends the poncho well to full coverage of the wearer and the wearer’s gear.
The only downsides to the construction of the poncho are the lack of grommets and its non-stealthiness. The material is quite loud when rustled. As far as overall construction and usefulness, these military surplus ponchos—especially when used with a bit of an imagination, duct tape, paracord and a knife—are worth much more than their under $6 price tag.
Add a few of these invaluable plastic military surplus camo ponchos to your survival supplies.
- Shelter or lean-to
- Ground cover
- Collect water
- Tie the ends up and make a bag
- Stretcher
- Game drag
- Sled
- Distress signal flag
- Trail marker
- Blanket
- Wound dressing or bandage
- Sun shade
- Rain gear
- Gear raft or float
- Solar still
- Camouflage
- Hunting blind
- Sail
- Minnow trap
- Death shroud
- Quarantine area
- Waste or trash bag
- Sleeping bag cover
- Sleeping bag liner
- Prophylactic
- Cordage
- Patch and repair
- Butchering game and meat processing
- Wind block
- Privy privacy
- Shooting or sniper’s mat
- Pillow (rolled up)
- Bear-proof food storage (tie in a tree using rope)
- Broken arm sling
- Tie up a splint
- Gather fruit, berries and nuts
- Repair the soles of your shoes
- Cover firewood
- Hide supplies
- Nuclear fallout protection
- Shield you from chemtrails
- Separate chaff from wheat
- Rain fly
- Chaps
- Haul firewood
- Zombie guts barrier
- Waterproofing shoes
- Latrine bag (bucket liner)
- Bellow
- Rifle case
- Bartering and trade
- Clothing
- Window covers
- Mask
- Hooding
- Scarecrow
- Sandbag
- Gloves or mitts
- Water bladder
- Ice pack
- Suicidal parasail
- Mattress
- Sleeping bag
- Bug-out bag cover
- Make smoke signals
- Decoy
- Game trap
- Warmth
- Stealth from IR and night vision
- Insect screen
- Protect crops from freeze and frost
- Sleeping quarters curtain
- Hammock
- Baby papoose
- Seat cushion
- Insulation
- Greenhouse
- Splint padding
- Pose as an ally or foreigner
- Makeshift/ Hazmat/NBC suit (Hey! It’s better than nothing, right?)
- Shoe liner
- Wound irrigation
- Solar shower/water heater
- Tourniquet
- Quiver
- Transpiration bag
- Rock boil water
- Heating pad
- Sling seat
- Padding
Even though the seams are sealed, as an extra precaution treat your ponchos with waterproof spray. In addition, don’t forget to pack duct tape, paracord, a sharp knife or multitool with scissors, canteen or cup and a water filter to your bug-out bag. Many of these uses require extra tools to either cut up or secure the poncho.
For more lists, read the following posts:
- Quick Prepper Tip: 20 Uses for Paracord
- Quick Prepper Tip: 13 Ways to Use a Trash Bag
- 45 Survival Uses for Alcohol
- 50 Survival Uses for Ammo Cans
- 30 Survival Uses for Sandbags
- 101 Survival Uses for a Plastic Bucket
- 22 Uses for Tactical Operator’s Bag
- Quick Camping Tip: 10 Uses for Glow Sticks
- Quick Prepper Tip: 30 Uses for a Coffee Filter
- 35 Ways to Use a Bandana
- Uncommon Uses for the Common Emergency Blanket
For an alternative, click here to view the Czech military surplus oversized poncho.
What other uses can you think of? Tell us in the comment section.
[suzanne]
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@ OLD&GRUMPY.
Popular Science conducted a color study, and found that ROYAL BLUE stands much better in wooded terrain the RED or ORANGE colors. Because in late Fall when leaves start too change colors, RED and ORANGE tend too blend in with the foliage better the BLUE colors.
There was also a Project Study made during WW2, called the US. Navy Research Project “YEHUDI” in 1943, using lights and colors. Too break-up visual acquisition perception using different color and lighting schemes.
NOTE: Light Pink or “Mountbatten Pink”, is one of those colors, that actually go invisible on you the farther yo go from it,
Thanks. I guess royal blue in the new orange.Did you ever think we would grow up to talk about Deep woods “fashion” and color coordination?
@ OLD&GRUMPY.
No I didn’t. But, actually I’m fascinated by colors. And how you can break-up, make larger or smaller and even invisible by the applications of colors. A perfect example in Nature, is the Polar Bear. Whose fur is actually Transparent, but because of the color spectrum. The Human eyes see’s it as White in appearance. Or that the Human Eye and perceive the color GREEN, 8-times better than any other color. If you Live in a foggy area like I do. When I look down a long road, I can detect the Green Traffic Lights. Further down the road, then I can with Yellow or Red. What was that saying they taught us in high school science class, “Roy G. Biv”
Ponchos do all those nifty things,and most Mil-spec items are hardy.
But “vented so you dont sweat?”…C’mon
A “rubber backed” anything will drench you in just about any climate.Military equipment is designed/supplied by the lowest bidder and is guarnteed to make you hurry up and finish the war so you can quit using the stuff.
Its still a good pc of equipment to have along at the price,but I live in the South and cannot see having this thing over my head for any reason, except maybe to sweat off weight.
Poncho or tarp, same stuff. Refer back to Take a tarp blog.For hunting you want cammo. for kids get red or orange. Just saw that a Poncho is just a long Hoodie ! Deep woods Gangster?? Probably not.