The Helikon-Tex U.S. Model poncho makes a great impression right out of the box. The material, featuring the classic Rip-Stop weave, is lightweight yet seems very durable and resistant to damage. The seams are carefully taped, which ensures complete waterproofing, and the fabric doesn’t absorb water easily. The design is refined down to every detail. The poncho is spacious enough to easily cover both the wearer and a large trekking backpack. The sturdy snap buttons and metal eyelets along the edges are very practical—they allow you to quickly turn the poncho into a makeshift shelter (tarp) or connect it with another poncho. The hood is easily adjustable, so it fits well on the head. Another advantage is its compact size—when folded in its pouch, it takes up very little space and is lightweight, so it will fit in any backpack. At this price, it’s truly an unbeatable choice for anyone who needs reliable and versatile protection against sudden changes in weather. I definitely recommend it!
Helikon-Tex U.S. Model Poncho - wz.93 Pantera PL Woodland
Crafted completely from Rip-Stop woven polyester, this rain poncho in wz.93 Pantera PL Woodland camouflage delivers superior tear resistance and substantial moisture protection, even during intense downpours. Compact when folded, it occupies minimal space and is lighter than a conventional rain jacket. Perfect for outdoor excursions or as an emergency accessory in a car or bike bag.
Loose fit and adjustable hood
Loose fit ensures the poncho can be donned over any attire, headwear, backpack, or additional gear. The adjustable hood is integrated to fit snugly to the head, offering protection from wind and rain. Built-in snaps enable sleeve formation and allow for connection with another poncho or a Swagman liner.
Low weight and compact dimensions
The poncho is lightweight at just 469 g. Its packed dimensions of 21 x 14 x 3 cm make it convenient to stash in a backpack, bag, bicycle pannier, or larger utility pouch. Owing to its versatility, it can serve as an improvised shelter in the field.
Set elements
- Helikon-Tex U.S. Model Poncho
- Carrying Bag
Main Features
- Exceptional water resistance
- Durable polyester constructed in a Rip-Stop weave
- A snap system allows for the connection of the poncho
- Hood with adjustable features
- Loose design accommodates wearing the poncho over gear
- Compact dimensions when packed
- Includes a transport bag
PL Woodland Camouflage
Helikon-Tex PL Woodland camouflage is the name given by the manufacturer to camouflage that is an exact equivalent of wz.93 Pantera, used by the Polish Armed Forces. Irregular black, brown, and green spots on a gray-green background provide good camouflage in open and wooded areas of Poland and other Central European countries.
MILITARY is the official distributor of Helikon-Tex.
Helikon-Tex is a European brand established in 1983, combining reliable quality with responsible manufacturing and a strong focus on tactical, military, and outdoor apparel. The brand's product range includes a wide range of products, including clothing, backpacks, bags and various tactical accessories, which have gained popularity among both professionals and outdoor enthusiasts. The offer includes product lines such as Bushcraft - for survival enthusiasts, Law Enforcement - designed for uniformed services, and Range - designed for shooters. The company uses modern camouflage patterns, including MultiCam, ATACS and PenCott, providing effective camouflage in a variety of terrain conditions.
| Camouflage | wz. 93 "Pantera" / PL Woodland |
|---|---|
| Main material | 100% Polyester |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Clasp type | No unfastening |
| Weight | 469 g |
| Transport cover | Yes |
| Dimensions when folded | 21 x 14 x 3 cm |
| Dimensions when unfolded | 210 x 145 cm |
| Color/camouflage | Camouflage |
| EAN | 5908218702523 |
| Manufacturer code | PO-MUS-PO-04 |
| Brand | Helikon-Tex |
| EAN |
Rip-Stop weave protects the fabric from abrasions and tears. It is characterized by additional threads woven in at regular intervals, forming a mesh-like pattern. It provides high strength to the fabric, increases resistance to mechanical damage, especially tears.
Reviews with photos
Review summary
Number of reviews: 537
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I won't add anything new to previous reviews: very durable, solid, and works great as an emergency tarp poncho. I recommend it, it's a must-have for anyone looking for a universal solution.
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The biggest advantage of this poncho is its versatility, while in my opinion, the main drawback is the lack of fit – the poncho hangs loosely at the sides. The Helikon product is solidly made; you can connect two ponchos into one or use one to create a makeshift shelter. It fits a backpack underneath, as long as it’s not larger than about 25 liters. It’s an interesting alternative instead of a rain jacket, although it may not be suitable for everyone.
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Pros: - Can be used as a tarp - Suitable for my height (165 cm) - Solidly made - Can be tied from underneath, which prevents wind from getting in - Can be combined with the Swagman - Easy to compress, however... Cons: - ...when folded, it takes up quite a lot of space and... - ...for a poncho of this class, it's a bit heavy, but it's acceptable - Quite a high Helikon price, which is financially noticeable - The head opening is rather small
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This poncho is very versatile and offers excellent value for money. It provides great coverage, perfect for use with a backpack. I especially like the adjustable hood, which keeps it well-fitted. We got two identical ponchos, which allows us to connect them together or use them as a tarp cover.
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The poncho in a traditional style works perfectly as rain protection outdoors. The fabric is durable, the hood is comfortable, and its size allows you to cover a backpack as well. The camouflage wz.93 looks great.
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The poncho is very durable, the material seems extremely strong. It worked great during a mountain downpour on the way down. Its large size allows you to wear it together with a backpack, so all the luggage stayed dry. When folded, it doesn’t take up much space. Excellent product.
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In short – during last year's Mystic Festival in Gdańsk, the weather was like being underwater. Both figuratively and literally, because the rain was so intense that you had to wonder if it was better to swim than walk. Fortunately, a few boats were cruising around the shipyard... While die-hard metal fans were fleeing to B90 (don’t say it was for better bands – few would believe that), I stayed put and didn't even pay attention to the rain.
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Decent poncho when you just need simple rain protection without any extra frills. You throw it on in a second and you’re no longer getting wet, plus the wz.93 Pantera camo looks just right in the woods. A big plus is that a backpack fits under it, so your back doesn’t get wet like with many jackets. But remember, it’s a poncho, so in the wind it kind of lives a life of its own. If it’s really windy, it starts twisting around, and without proper fastening it can get frustrating. Also, when you’re moving under it, it gets warm and stuffy pretty fast because ventilation isn’t great—especially if you’re walking quickly. Overall, a very adequate thing for rain in the forest and for trips; you just need to know how to properly button it down and secure it.
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The poncho is easy to use and functional. You can connect it with others to create, for example, a tent or tarp—in that case, it’s best if several people have the same poncho, because it’s harder to connect with different models. I highly recommend it!
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It is compact and works well even during heavy rain. It was used outdoors. I added four bungee cords and it serves perfectly as a tarp. Together with my friend, we tested connecting them and you can easily build a shelter for two people.
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As usual with Helikon, I received an excellent product. The materials used and the careful workmanship make the gear durable, solid, and lightweight. A Polish manufacturer, I sincerely recommend it.
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I use this poncho in Taiga Green mainly as rain protection in my everyday backpack, and of course, it is also a must-have for future hiking tours. The size positively surprised me since, at 1.68m, I'm not particularly tall, yet I can wear it comfortably.
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I ordered this poncho for my wife. She mainly uses it as a backup in her backpack during dog walks and is very satisfied, especially with the light weight and small pack size.
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I am very satisfied with the purchase. The poncho material is extremely durable and even holds up in heavy rain. The PL Woodland camouflage pattern works excellently in the field. This is really a great poncho!
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