Rain and Shelter gear in one - Gatewood Cape

[Sos24]

I like being prepared when I go hiking, but I also like light and packable gear.  For this reason, even if rain is not in the forecast, I’ve usually carried a poncho tarp, similar to the military style poncho.  At least that way if something happened, I could have an emergency shelter as well as having a poncho if it unexpectedly rained.

I discovered the Gatewood Cape by Six Moon Designs a couple years ago and decided to get it during a 25% off sale.  The Gatewood Cape is like a poncho tarp designed for ultralight backpackers and thru-hikers.  It is not as versatile as a poncho tarp, but what it does work well as a shelter and rain protection.

As the name says, it is a rain cape.  For me at 68in, it falls below my knees.  It has arm holes so you can do what you need to or pull your arms imside if want.  It has a lot of extra material, because of how it forms a tent, but this can be folded under and fastened to snap tabs.  Just like a poncho, and even a little more because of how light it is, it will blow around if windy, For this reason, I use a guyline as a waist strap to help.

As a shelter, it is not as versatile as a tarp, but it does make an enclosed shelter big enough for one person plus gear that can be set up almost anywhere with a pole (trekking pole, tent pole or stick) and 6 stakes.  Although, it does not have a floor or mesh lining, there is a mesh tent insert that can be purchased that attaches inside if that is something desired.

The Gatewood Cap is made of silicone coated nylon and only weighs 11oz by itself.  Even with stakes, aluminum tent pole and extra guyline, it is just over 1lb.  It all stuffs into a 9x10in pocket, that acts as a inside gear pocket when set-up as tent. 

For size example, I have the Gatewood Cape pictured with a 24oz Hydroflask Trail bottle.  In the picture, from left to right is trekking pole, mesh tent, water bottle, stake bag with pole and Gatewood Cape.

The other pictures show it set up with one door open and set-up with mesh tent insert (I did forget to put hood up and tighten down after clipping in insert).  I unfortunately don’t have any pictures of out out camping, but hopefully these pictures in a field behind my townhouse give a good idea of it.

I know this isn’t for everyone and for some the price will be a turn off, but I absolutely love it as both a “just in case” piece of gear and a solo light camping set-up.   

[AzteCypher]

That's pretty cool.  I never knew such a thing existed.

[nate j]

Neat piece of kit, thanks for sharing it.

When it comes to outdoor gear, it’s been my general observation that one may pick any two of the following:  good, light, cheap.

[Sos24]

That's pretty cool.  I never knew such a thing existed.

That is how I felt when I discovered it. 

Neat piece of kit, thanks for sharing it.

When it comes to outdoor gear, it’s been my general observation that one may pick any two of the following:  good, light, cheap.

  The 2 out of 3 is something that I think applies to many different situations, it is just a matter of what you value most.

[Farmer X]

The 2 out of 3 is something that I think applies to many different situations, it is just a matter of what you value most.

I'd tell employers: "Safety, quality, speed. Pick any two."

The Gatewood Cape wouldn't be my first choice, as I don't put a priority on light weight and portability (I'd be a truck camper). Rather, it's the sort of thing I'd have on hand as a backup. I'd think it would excel in that role.

[nate j]

That is how I felt when I discovered it. 
   The 2 out of 3 is something that I think applies to many different situations, it is just a matter of what you value most.

Indeed.  When it comes to project work, the three are “good, fast, cheap”.

[AzteCypher]

[Farmer X]

  1,000%!

[Vidar]

Yes, it is very difficult to overcome those limits. (Especially so for first time or one time actions).

I think of reaching two out of three, the two planned that is, as best possible outcomes. Such outcomes are far above the bottom line of slow, expensive and bad. Quite a few things seem to end up in the grey in between there.