The Ultra-Sil Pack Cover is a simple waterproof shell that slips over your backpack only, it keeps your gear dry but does nothing for you personally, so it's typically paired with a separate rain jacket.
A tarp-poncho, like the Ultra-Sil Nano Tarp Poncho, is a multi-purpose piece that covers both you and your pack in one go, and can also be pitched as a rain tarp or used as a groundsheet in an emergency.
The trade-off is fit and wind performance: a poncho is roomier and better ventilated than a jacket, but can flap around in windy conditions, whereas a dedicated pack cover plus rain jacket gives a more secure, fitted setup.
Articles in this section
- My pack cover keeps blowing off or letting water in around the edges - what am I doing wrong?
- How do I stop my tarp poncho flapping around in windy conditions?
- What's the difference between the standard Mosquito Head Net and the Ultra-Fine Mesh Head Net?
- What's the difference between a pack cover and a poncho for rain protection?
- Are Sea to Summit head nets treated with chemical repellent, or is protection purely physical?