Hazard 4 Poncho Villa

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Today is a cold rainy day in Gitmo Nation North and I was very excited to finally get to try out the Hazard 4 Poncho Villa. Some of you Hazard 4 fans have probably heard about this product and those living in rainy areas may have been considering getting one.

I looked at some videos from the Hazard 4 booth at Shot Show and a review by a certain bearded individual who looks to live in a part of the world populated with wet rain forests and was quite intrigued with the product. After once owning and loving an old US military issue poncho, I was certainly interested in the modernized take implemented by Hazard 4/Civilian Labs.

Lots of patch panels, a well designed hood, grommets for use as a tarp, room to cover a pack or two, and a large front pocket that the poncho can be folded into and stowed for later use, what’s not to like? It’s sharp looking for a poncho and has received a few positive comments so far, specifically from ladies…but that’s more relative to my incredibly handsome manliness only reinforced by this tacticool shroud. 

Well, as impressive as I apparently make this product look (or vice versa), it certainly does not perform in equal respect.

Let’s start with the product description copied and pasted from Gearbunker.com website, where I purchased the item from:

• water-resistant/breathable soft-shell fabric
• 100% waterproof fully-taped seams throughout
• generous size to fit over packs/bags/chest-packs
• large front & back velcro panels for agency i.d.
• velcro panels on the shoulders & head-back
• ample hood with brim section fits over head-wear
• hood-sinchers for front and back-of-head adjust
• zipper front to chin for full rain-coverage of throat
• large perimeter grommets for hanging as tent/tarp (two ponchos combine for a larger tent)
• side snaps for closing edges in severe weather
• fully covers the torso and most of legs
• allows rain-free access to pockets/bags
• can be used as a seating/work surface
• quick on and off over layered clothing

This website is, I believe, the direct distribution outlet for Hazard 4/Civilian Labs.

Sounds awesome, right? Sure did to me.

Here is the review I left on the Hazard 4 Poncho Villa product page:

Product Name: Poncho Villa(TM) Technical Soft-Shell Poncho
Headline: Got 129.99? Might as well burn it.
Email: nighted@_________.com
Name: Nighted
Location: Northern Ontario
Review: Wow. First time wearing today and the poncho was soaked through the hood and the shoulders in about an hour of exposure. I have another product that I’ve owned for years and never has a drop of water come through it. Maybe I got one that wasn’t properly treated, I don’t know. This is my first product from Hazard 4 and now I’m doubtful I’ll spend my money on their products again.
Rating: 2

I feel it is important that I do not believe this review will make it online. Have a look around Gearbunker and at the reviews. You will soon discover that quite literally EVERY review is 5 out of 5!!!

Very suspect. 

So that about says it all. Now for the photos of the poncho after I got home and took a few minutes to get dry. You can see that it is soaked through and the water doesn’t just bead and roll off as Hazard 4 claims in the videos showcasing the product from their trade show booth.

I suppose I’ll have to get some water treatment product and attempt to get it properly sealed, as it should have been out of the box. I should also mention that the wind can catch it and cause it to ride up on the legs, allowing them to get soaked. I would suggest putting those bottom grommets to use and adding some weights or however you decide to get creative to address this issue.

Please leave any comments or questions that you may have concerning my review and/or this product (or any OTHER experience you have personally had with H4).

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