I was wondering whether to buy the more expensive Helikon model or this product. Since my friends have the one from Helikon, I decided to test this version, and to my surprise, the quality of the material and craftsmanship are almost the same. Additionally, a plus is the zipper at the hood, fastenings, and grommets that allow it to be used as a tarp, etc. I recommend it!
Texar Ripstop Poncho - wz.93 Pantera PL Woodland
Rain poncho made from durable Ripstop material (polyester with a characteristic grid pattern), distinguished by increased resistance to mechanical damage such as abrasions and tears. A practical piece of equipment that will work well both during hikes in the wilderness and as an emergency cover in a car or bike pannier.
Loose fit and low weight
The wide, loose cut allows for comfortable wearing over any clothing and headgear, even when the user is carrying a backpack or other luggage.
When folded, it takes up minimal space while being significantly lighter than a traditional rain jacket.
Set elements
The set includes a practical pouch with a drawstring.
Main features
- Material: Ripstop polyester
- Wide and comfortable cut
- Lightweight construction and compact size
- Water resistance
Technical data
Camouflage: wz.93 Pantera PL Woodland
Dimensions: 143 cm x 210 cm
Water resistance: 5000 mm/m2
Material: polyester with PU coating
Weight: 300 g
Manufacturer: Texar, Poland
wz.93 "Pantera" Camouflage
The wz.93 "Pantera" camouflage pattern is currently used by the Polish Armed Forces. It was the first camouflage pattern designed and introduced into widespread use in the Third Polish Repubic. The 1993 pattern combines mimetic and deforming properties through the use of irregular spots of various sizes. The color scheme, based on green, brown, and black, has been adapted to the conditions of Polish forests, making "Pantera" a good choice for operations in the native terrain. Uniforms in this camouflage pattern are also part of the basic equipment for students of Military Uniform Classes.
MILITARY is a premium dealer of Texar.
Texar is a European brand of tactical clothing, outdoor gear, and survival accessories, inspired by classic military designs. It started with the distribution of USA military surplus, and today it offers its own reproductions of models such as BDU, M65, N3B, and MA-1. Many years of experience and the development of its product range have secured it a strong position among professionals and enthusiasts of field activities.
| Camouflage | wz. 93 "Pantera" / PL Woodland |
|---|---|
| Waterproof | 5000 mm/m2 |
| Clasp type | No unfastening |
| Weight | 300 g |
| Season | Spring, Summer, Autumn |
| Dimensions when unfolded | 143 x 210 cm |
| Color/camouflage | Camouflage |
| EAN | 5902414818026 |
| Manufacturer code | 18-POR-RG-PL |
| Brand | Texar |
| Main material | Polyester |
| Additional material | Polyurethane |
| 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
Customers mostly praise this poncho for its strong rain protection, light weight, compact packed size, and enough room to cover a backpack. Many also like its versatility, as the snaps and eyelets let it work as a tarp or emergency shelter, and the price-to-quality ratio is often seen as very good. The most common drawbacks are a small or tight hood and narrow head opening, a length that may feel short for taller users, and snaps that seem delicate. Some reviews also mention limited ventilation and a few cases of leakage or wear during long, heavy use.
Number of reviews: 95
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I am very satisfied with this purchase. The poncho protects well against rain, is the right size, so even with thicker clothing it doesn't get wet through, and it also dries quickly. The practical case is also a plus.
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I recommend this poncho, thin and light — you can use it in the rain, it doesn’t get in the way and doesn’t let water through, fits in the pocket of cargo pants. The only downside is the small hood: it’s okay for a bare head, but with a cap it gets tight. Despite that, I’m satisfied, it does its job.
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Very thin, but because of that lightweight and small when folded — can be put into a pants pocket. Unfortunately, it's quite crinkly, cannot be fastened along the length and lacks a connection feature, but the color is practical when used as a shelter.
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A solid poncho with high waterproofness of 5000 mm/m². Buttons require some force, and the head opening is narrow, but the poncho itself is wide. Despite these minor flaws, I think it’s worth recommending.
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I don't understand the positive reviews – in my opinion, most people haven't used this poncho in practice. I've had it for about 2 years, tested it during various rainfalls, and I must say that I don't recommend it. First, even though it's made of ripstop, it tears easily when unfastening the snaps (I had to sew on regular buttons afterward). Second, the snaps rust quickly, are hard to fasten, and are very delicate. Most importantly, after prolonged exposure to rain, the poncho starts to soak through, which provides no protection – everything underneath gets wet. It's only suitable for light rain before the material gets soaked, which is definitely not enough for a typical rain poncho at this price. Recently, after a few hours in the rain, my uniform was completely soaked. I don't recommend this product – it's a waste of money.
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For people over 190 cm, the length is too short. The snaps are quite weak – after one connection with a Helikon poncho, they got deformed. The biggest downside is the tight hood, which you can’t take off your head freely – the opening is too small. The main plus: extremely compact size with very good waterproofness and Polish camo. I am now looking for a poncho without these flaws.
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The wide and loose cut of the poncho allows you to wear it over any kind of clothing and headgear, even with a backpack or other gear. Unfortunately, the hood is very small, it doesn’t fit a helmet, so I subtract one star. When folded, the poncho takes up remarkably little space.
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+ low price + good waterproofness - the head opening could be bigger - I’d prefer either weaker snaps or stronger stitching around them — I’m worried they might tear out.
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It works in its role and doesn’t take up a lot of space. Solidly made. It’s worth taking it with you on longer trips. I recommend it.
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A lightweight poncho model that fits even in a small backpack pocket. I’ve used it on several trips and it worked great. Thanks to the clip system, you can attach it as you like, or even temporarily use it as a tarp.
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The poncho works perfectly. It has high carrying ergonomics — you can roll it up into a small pouch, and also use it as a temporary shelter in camp.
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Review after about two years of use. The poncho is very lightweight and more waterproof than most other military models (I previously used the original USGI 20 years ago, then MilTec, later the British Army, and recently the ultralight Texar, but that one tore in strong wind—both mine and my wife's). This poncho is a bit smaller and has thinner material (so far, I don't see it negatively affecting durability). It saved us during several downpours and hailstorms in the Karkonosze Mountains, and also survived a very strong storm with rain in Rondane, Norway, so it works well even in harsh conditions. It still protects against rain sufficiently. I know there are better models, but they cost twice as much—in my opinion, this model offers a very good price-to-quality ratio. I'd rather replace the poncho with a new one every few years than carry one burned from sparks for a decade.
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The poncho did its job well in the rain. It’s very practical and doesn’t take up much space in the backpack.
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The poncho is very lightweight and seems truly waterproof. Durable eyelets allow it to be used as a compact tarp. When the hood is properly tied, it doesn't leak. Combining two gives quite a large tarp surface. The ripstop material is solid. It fits comfortably in a medium molle pocket 7x3, and the transport bag could be even smaller.
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