Helikon-Tex Swagman Roll Multi-Purpose Military Poncho - Emergency Poncho & Woobie Blanket & Jacket

This product is absolutely ideal for the outdoorsman looking for a lightweight do-it-all weather protection system. If I could only have one item in the 'cover' category of Dave Canterbury's 10 Cs in my pack, this would be it, hands down. Weight, durability, and the multiplicity of features and uses of this design make it indispensable, even in a paired-down ultralight pack. By adding on Helikon-Tex's military poncho and some 550 cord/bank line plus a few contractor bags in the pocket, I've obtained an absolutely bombproof ultralight shelter solution for my part of the planet.In design, it is essentially an upgraded military poncho liner, aka "woobie", but vastly upgraded. The Helikon-Tex poncho liner replaces cheaper milspec materials with waterproof, NIR-reduced, whisper-quiet ripstop nylon; Climashield batting that packs tight while staying fluffy and dry in use; heavy-duty YKK zippers and fast clip straps as well as milspec stacking snap closures; an integral insulated hood with hood stowage pocket; a large zip-opening front "admin pouch" pocket large enough to store maps; and a built-in stuff sack with compression straps as well as a separate outer stuff sack. It can be worn as a poncho, under a poncho, as a sleeved cloak, or a blanket, and can also used as a sleeping bag or bag liner, hammock liner, ground pad, or shelter component.

It would be simple to just call this a poncho liner and leave it at that. However, I don't think that would be a fair assessment. It's offered in a number of camo patterns and is water resistant in its own right, so functions equally as well as an outer garment as it does a liner. When used in conjunction with a poncho, you're effectively doubling up on the water protection. It's quite lightweight and provides good insulation. The only place this doesn't work as well for me as it might for some others is when it's converted to a sleeping bag. Being a little on the bigger side in the chest (50 inch), it gets somewhat tight bringing my shoulders inside the bag. That's the only shortfall for me, but given this is designed primarily to compliment/augment a standard rain poncho, then there's a limit to the size, so I certainly appreciate that and don't consider it to be a strike. To be a little funny about it; a standard rain poncho compliments this... not the other way around. :-) Everything else functionality-wise stated by HELIKON-TEX is an accurate statement. When worn in the poncho form, it's very comfortable and you can retain a lot of mobility. I think it's an excellent choice when you're camped (or in a hide) and wish to keep comfortable.To summarize, I think this is a great piece of kit to the point where I think it should become a standard item for almost any out-of-door activity that is hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, go bag, get home bag, automobile, etc. related. It offers a level of add-on weather protection and insulation that's just not the same from any other article of clothing that I can think of, nor have had experience with. I will definitely look to get another one sometime here in the future, so I would definitely by it again.

Bought this and the rain cover at the same time to use for a specific trip, and man, these are awesome! They fit together perfectly, and even being a bigger guy, I was covered and protected. I see some comments that it doesnt fit with USGI ponchos, but as I didnt have anything, and bought these together, it has been great.I have done a "survival night" with this and the poncho a few weeks back. took just a few items, used the poncho as my shelter, this was my cover, and together they were great. I might be getting a 2nd set to leave in the car along with a quick-deploy ridgeline and a couple stakes to have as an emergency shelter kit.I have found, even when not out in nature, I use this when just sitting on the couch. I have used it this year as an underquilt, and I would say it is good down to about 50 deg. I sleep warm, so others may want to consider other options. But, for summer, this is a great, and smaller alternative to a full underquilt.The big pocket in the front is great for storing some lighter items - I keep my notebook and small utility knife in it when running around camp. For the festival I went to, I used it to keep my phone and keys. You are really only limited by your imagination in the uses for this liner.As for construction, I didnt notice anything glaringly wrong. No frayed edges or loose stitching. Everything was shored up well. There were some "leftover" thread bits, but they were not connected to anything. The waterproofing was ok. It shed fine, but I believe under heavy, long term rain it would get waterlogged - which is why I got the rain cover as well. I suppose it could be treated and hold up better, but having the rain cover would be the best way to go, IMO. As a motorcycle rider, I know nothing is waterproof for the long haul.I am looking to find a good compression stuff sack to put both in and they will take up even less space either in a backpack or on my motorcycle.This is a 100% recommendation for this poncho liner when combined with the poncho rain cover.

The swagman roll is very impressive. I ordered it and used it immediately on a 4 day ruck. We got snowed on but this modern adaptation of the woobie kept me warm. I wore it during the day as a poncho to keep me warm and dry and at night I used it as a bivy and put my mummy bag inside of it. I figured I’d be cold, but this helped keep me a comfortable temperature. All in all I want to buy 2 more, one for the truck and one for my lady, I would highly recommend this to anyone