Check out how waterproof your poncho or rainwear is and avoid disappointment later. Your shower is a great place to simulate a massive downpour. A hose pipe in the garden can simulate wind blown rain from the side.

For the purpose of this test we've asked our poncho enthusiast Ooli to step into the shower in a white poncho. He wore jeans and a thin hoodie to make leaks are more visible. Needless to say he got completely soaked in the end, but he enjoyed this a lot as you can see form the photos. So get ready for some interesting fun.

Waterproofing Test Sequence

Repeat this test sequence for all your rainwear so you know how well it does. Start with dry clothes underneath each time, like a long sleeve hooded T-shirt and jeans so you can spot where your rain suit or poncho leaks.

For each of the following tests step into the shower for a minute. Keep the water temparature a bit lower than usual (but still comfortable) so you can feel any leaks. After one minute come out and take the poncho off to check for any wet spots on your clothes. Then move on to the next test.

Test 1: Poncho with hood up

Put your poncho on, get the hood up and tie it so you can still see where you go. Make sure it is comfortable, not too tight or too lose. See if the hood moves as you turn your head, or if it hinders you. In windy conditions the hood may flap about if you don't tie it well.

Go into the shower for a minute, then come out and take the poncho off. Most of the the water runs off the poncho into your lower jeans and shoes. You can avoid that with rain pants and/or gaiters.

Result:
You may find only a few wet spots on your clothes, mainly a bit on your neck where water ran off your face.

Test 2: Hood down and neck closely tied

Next put the poncho back on, but keep the hood down. Tie the drawcord of the poncho hood so it makes a good seal around your neck. Make sure it fits well and doesn't chafe.

You'll notice that inspite of your efforts to tie the hood around your neck a certain amount of water will seep in.

Result:
After this test you'll probably find a few larger wet spots on your clothes, mainly around your neck, back and front. Your sides should be fairly dry.

Test 3: Hood down and loose collar

Finally put the poncho back on but leave the hood down and don't use the drawcord. Leave the collar comfortably open as you would when hiking.

Result:
A fair amount of water flows from your head into your poncho. The hood fills up with water which gushes out if you bend forward. You probably get soaking wet with only a few dry spots left over.

Summary:

In summary, you'll notice that you're warmer in a poncho than without, especially when you're soaking wet. It reduces wind chill and water flow which could cool you quickly.

You may want to find a good balance between ventilation and staying dry.

Comparison:

For comparison, step into the shower without the poncho. Feel the cool water flow through your clothes and chill you more than with the poncho. A poncho or rainsuit keeps you warmer because it reduces evaporation cooling and windchill.

Now turn up the heat and relax.