Our Honcho Poncho™, Honcho Poncho™ Down, and Kid's Honcho Ponchos are far from being one-trick ponies. In fact, you could probably pull off riding a pony in them, looking like a future-hip Clint Eastwood starring in some weird spaghetti western. But that’s just one example of something badass you can do in the best-selling, multi-functional, water-resistant, styling and profiling Honcho Poncho. Here are a few more examples of how the Honcho Poncho is totally clutch for those in-between (and sometimes awkward) moments in the outdoors.

1. Changing at a Surf Spot

We understand that your transitions from the car to the ocean (or vice versa) need to be quick, but they don’t have to be cold or public. Just throw on your trusty, insulated Honcho Poncho and get on with it. No more drafts, no more unintentional public nudity. And if you're lucky enough to be catching waves closer to the Equator than Alaska, check out the PackTowl® Changing Poncho for that warm-weather, cabaña-anywhere convenience. 

2. Hut Trip Hang Time

Hut trips are awesome… until you want to be outside after sunset without freezing. But now we’ve got you covered, literally, with the warmth-boosting Honcho Poncho. No need to put on those nasty layers you've been skiing in all week; our ponchos are like a big warm blanket (with head and arm holes and a giant handwarmer pocket) that follows you around with all the warmth, zero restriction, and none of the funk.   *Your poncho will receive additional utility points if the hut has a hot tub or a sauna. See #8). 

3. Transitioning from Sleeping Bag to Coffee

The moment of truth. That inexorably difficult, heinously uncomfortable period of time when you have to leave the warm cocoon of your sleeping bag and face the chilly new day to make a warm cup of coffee. Well, we’ve got a solution. Since the Honcho Poncho is an insulated blanket that you've used to boost your comfort and warmth all night, you can now throw on that pre-warmed poncho before you leave the proverbial nest and instantly reap the benefits of making coffee while still burrowed in a blanket of warmth. 

4. An Extra Layer for your Sleeping Bag

If you’re bedding down for a cold night, remember that adding a Honcho Poncho to the mix can beef up your insulation. Throw it over top of your sleeping bag and forget about getting chilled. Plus, you’ll be prepared for that previously mentioned transition in the morning (or when nature calls in the middle of the night!).

5. For Chillin’ by the Fire

Want to make all your camping mates stare with envy? Show up to the fire ring with a Honcho Poncho and get ready for the "Where did you get THAT!?" and, "Can I try it?" questions. The kangaroo pocket easily holds a six-pack or about five pounds of sour gummy worms to share around for even more oohs and ahhs. (Note that the pocket capacity of the Honcho Poncho has not been verified, but we encourage you to engage in further analysis.)

6. For Downtime at the Crag

Getting the big sends while climbing is all about finding the perfect temps, and send weather is not warm weather. But how do you stay warm when you’re between burns? You guessed it…Honcho Poncho! Toss those shoes in the kangaroo pocket to keep the rubber warm when you need it most. 

7. A Blanket for Furry Friends

Don’t hog your Honcho Poncho. Sometimes your adventure companions need some snuggly, blanket love too. Wrap ‘em up and get out the camera—it’s a hoot!

8. Hot Tubbing/Hot Springs

Stripping down in the middle of winter to jump in a hot tub or hot spring is hard work. Getting out and making a mad dash to your hotel room or your riverside pile of clothes is even harder. Throwing a Honcho Poncho on makes everything easier and, like surfing, gives you instant cover for changing back into dry clothes. Along with a PackTowl®, you'll look like an absolute pro. You only hot tub in the summer, you say? When then you need the quick-drying PackTowl Changing Poncho. 

Down or Synthetic?

Choices, choices.

The original Honcho Poncho and Kid's Honcho Poncho feature synthetic, hollow-fiber insulation and a 20d polyester shell. Synthetic is the preferred choice for moderate temps. It is also incredibly durable, retains some warmth when wet, dries reasonably fast, and is easy to wash. It will definitely handle being knocked around in a more carefree manner, like laying it out as a concert blanket or handling whatever it is that kids do to outdoor gear. 

On the other hand, if you're looking for extra warmth for colder days and nights, or need to save weight and space, the Honcho Poncho Down is hard to beat. Filled with Hydrophobic Down, it can shrug off a little moisture and dry relatively fast compared to regular down, but it's still best for drier, less abusive situations where comfort and lightweight compressibility are top priorities. 

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Updated: Originally published Dec 19th, 2019