Helikon Tex Swagman Roll Poncho

Helikon Tex took this classic piece of equipment, found in many militaries, and developed the Helikon Tex Swagman Roll Poncho. For most soldiers, the poncho is the best piece of equipment due to its enormous versatility. This versatile blanket is used not only by the military but also in the hunting, outdoor, bushcraft, and survival scenes.

The Swagman Roll Poncho comes in a very compact and practical stuff sack, including a printed instruction manual with care tips. Anyone familiar with the packed size of classic poncho liners will notice that their Swagman Roll Poncho is noticeably smaller. The bottom of the stuff sack is made of mesh fabric, making it completely air-permeable. This keeps it dry and prevents mildew or stuffiness if you pack the wet or damp Swagman away again. Directly above it is a wide carrying strap for transport or attaching to a backpack.

Helikon Tex Swagman Roll can be "reconfigured" for many situations. On the inside of the poncho, which is coyote in color, there is a guide in one corner on how to wrap, tie, wear, etc., the poncho to be perfectly protected in various situations.

What stands out is the integrated 2-way zipper on the sides. Thanks to this, the poncho can be zipped up to form a makeshift sleeping bag. With the drawstrings, the openings can be almost completely closed, providing protection against all weather conditions. The drawstrings also allow it to be attached to hammocks as an underquilt (insulation for the back for hammock sleepers).

To use your Swagman Roll Poncho as a liner, toggles (larger buttons) have been attached to all corners, which can be easily pushed through the large eyelets on the poncho, holding everything together. An absolute highlight is the large hood, thanks to which the Swagman Roll Poncho can also be worn as an overlay, keeping your backpack or equipment dry. Of course, a bungee cord has also been attached to the hood, so you can completely close the hood on the Swagman Roll Poncho to keep the warmth inside.

As you can clearly see from the pictures above, the Swagman Roll Poncho has a large pocket with a zipper and loop in the chest area. This is an integrated stuff sack, which can also be used as a pocket for small items, such as igniters, compass, terrain map, neck knife, flashlights, and much more.

The Swagman Roll Poncho from Helikon Tex measures 145 cm x 200 cm and is filled with Climashield® APEX material.

Conclusion: A very well-designed and thought-out piece of equipment. Due to the enormous versatility of the Swagman Roll Poncho, you are prepared for every situation, whether you use it as a poncho, liner, makeshift sleeping bag, tarp, or even an underquilt – it works, and there are certainly many more uses. For me personally, the Swagman Roll Poncho belongs in every backpack, no matter how long the tour lasts.