---
title: "First look at the Ultra-Sil15D Tarp Poncho from Sea To Summit"
description: "A tarp and a poncho in a small 195 gram package – that's the Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil15D Nano Tarp Poncho. Take a look at our short review from first use."
canonical_url: "https://gramino.com/blog/first-look-sea-to-summit-tarp-poncho"
last_updated: "2017-07-22"
---

# First look at the Ultra-Sil15D Tarp Poncho from Sea To Summit

Authors: David Czempka

Date: 2017-07-22

A tarp and a poncho in a small 195 gram package – that's the Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil15D Nano Tarp Poncho. Take a look at our short review from first use.

The tarp poncho has earned its rightful place in traveling light, where versatility is what matters most. In one small package, you get a rain poncho for you and your backpack plus a roof over your head. I got my hands on the [Ultra-Sil15D Nano Tarp Poncho](/p/sea-to-summit-ultra-sil15d-nano-tarp-poncho) from Sea To Summit. At the very first opportunity, I threw it in with my summer weekend gear and headed out to our very own Beskydy Mountains in eastern Czechia. Fortunately or unfortunately (depending on how you look at it), the weather was great, so I only got to test it in dry conditions.

[Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil 15D Nano Tarp Poncho](/p/sea-to-summit-ultra-sil15d-nano-tarp-poncho.md)

## Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil15D Nano Tarp Poncho

#### **A few details from the manufacturer:**

- Material: 15D Ultra-Sil® with a siliconized outer surface
- Weight: 230 g
- Unfolded size: 145 x 265 cm
- Rain poncho (for body and backpack) + tarp
- Double-stitched taped seams

- [Sea To Summit 70D Nylon Tarp Poncho](/p/sea-to-summit-70d-nylon-tarp-poncho.md)
- [Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil 15D Nano Tarp Poncho](/p/sea-to-summit-ultra-sil15d-nano-tarp-poncho.md)
- [Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil™ Nano™ Poncho](/p/sea-to-summit-ultra-sil-nano-poncho.md)
- [Liteway Simplex Max Tarp](/p/liteway-simplex-max-tarp.md)
- [Liteway Pyraomm Duo Tarp](/p/liteway-pyraomm-duo-tarp.md)
- [DD Hammocks SuperLight Tarp XL](/p/dd-hammocks-superlight-tarp-xl.md)

## Weight and packability

Gear weights listed by manufacturers often differ a little from the real weight. That was the case with the Poncho too, just the opposite of what I'd expected. I weighed it at 195 grams, which is 35 grams less than stated on the packaging. Unfolded, it measures 145 x 265 cm (3,8 m²), and packed in its compression sack, it easily fits in the palm of your hand.

## Durability

As is usually the case with the lightest pieces of gear, the weight savings here come from the thickness. The fabric is fairly fine and thin, so you need to be careful around sharp things such as brambles and so on. In terms of strength, though, the fabric is strong and the seams are solidly made, so there's no need to worry at all when pitching the tarp.

## Usage

### **As a rain poncho**

The poncho's length will be just right for most users – at 185 cm tall, I have 40 cm of clearance from the ground at the front, which lets me move comfortably. **The back of the poncho is longer,** because it has to cover both your backpack and your backside, but it can be **adjusted with a drawcord**, so even without a backpack, you won't be stepping on it.

The poncho comes with **plastic snaps** that close it at the sides, and an adjustable **hood with a brim**. Because of the poncho's rectangular shape, there's quite a bit of loose fabric at the sides. Some people deal with this by cinching it at the waist with a cord. But unless I'm walking through really overgrown forest, I don't see it as a problem – the extra fabric at the sides won't bother me.

### **As a bivy tarp**

Around the edges, there are **8 tie-out points** (in the corners and in the middle of each side) that work reliably for several types of shelter setups – it all comes down to your experience and creativity.

The tarp fits one person with a backpack at most. I used a classic lean-to setup with one corner pulled down to the ground, which gave me plenty of room and comfort.

Like most tarps, this one can be **pitched with trekking poles**. But if I'm not out in the middle of absolute wilderness, I can improvise and pitch the tarp using whatever is around – I used 2 branches. I also needed 5 [stakes](/p/sea-to-summit-ground-control-tent-peg) and 2 lengths of [cord](/p/sea-to-summit-reflective-accessory-cord-1-8-mm-10m). The hood can be fully cinched shut, so there's no risk of water getting in through the opening.

- [Sea To Summit Ground Control Tent Peg](/p/sea-to-summit-ground-control-tent-peg.md)
- [Sea To Summit 1,8 mm Reflective Cord 10 m](/p/sea-to-summit-reflective-accessory-cord-1-8-mm-10m.md)
- [Big Agnes Dirt Dagger UL 6”](/p/big-agnes-dirt-dagger-ul-6-tent-stake.md)
- [MSR Hook Stake Kit (6 pcs)](/p/msr-hook-stake-kit-6-pcs.md)
- [Sea To Summit Ground Control Guy Cords (4 pcs)](/p/sea-to-summit-ground-control-guy-cords-4pcs.md)
- [Sea To Summit Ground Control Light Tent Pegs (6 pcs)](/p/sea-to-summit-ground-control-light-tent-pegs-6pcs.md)
- [NEMO Airpin Stakes (4 pcs)](/p/nemo-airpin-stakes-4pcs.md)
- [Liteway PLA Pegs (6 pcs)](/p/liteway-pla-pegs-6pcs.md)
- [Sea To Summit Utensil & Peg Bag](/p/sea-to-summit-utensil-peg-bag.md)
- [Liteway Pegs Cover](/p/liteway-pegs-cover.md)

## Conclusion

In short, after the first tests, the Tarp Poncho is living up to my expectations so far. What I value most about it is the clever concept – in one piece of gear, I get three important functions at once. I see it getting the most use over the summer (or in a warmer spring/autumn) on weekend trips, where the [Tarp Poncho](/p/sea-to-summit-ultra-sil15d-nano-tarp-poncho) will be the only waterproof clothing I carry and will also take care of a roof over my head. If someone wanted to travel long-term with just the Tarp Poncho, a bivy sack would also be a good addition to their gear.

**Photos:** Marek Rybář, David Czempka

- [Sea To Summit Airlite Towel – Medium](/p/sea-to-summit-airlite-towel-medium.md)
- [Sea To Summit Pocket Trowel](/p/sea-to-summit-pocket-trowel.md)
- [Sea To Summit Camp Cutlery Spork Charcoal](/p/sea-to-summit-camp-cutlery-spork-charcoal.md)
- [Sea To Summit Frontier UL Pot 2 L](/p/sea-to-summit-frontier-ul-pot-2l.md)
- [Sea To Summit Frontier UL Collapsible Bowl](/p/sea-to-summit-frontier-ul-collapsible-bowl.md)
- [Sea To Summit Frontier UL Collapsible Cup](/p/sea-to-summit-frontier-ul-collapsible-cup.md)
- [Sea To Summit Frontier UL Cutlery Set 3P](/p/sea-to-summit-frontier-ul-cutlery-set-3p.md)
- [Sea To Summit Head Net](/p/sea-to-summit-head-net.md)
- [Sea To Summit Pocket Shower](/p/sea-to-summit-pocket-shower.md)
- [Sea To Summit Ultralight Aeros Pillow](/p/sea-to-summit-ultralight-aeros-pillow.md)

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