This spring, I spent five weeks in Norway and Iceland ski touring off of a sailboat. And when I started packing for the trip, I knew I needed to bring ski gear—but I also wanted to look stylish walking around Rekjavik and Oslo. Both countries are known for their style, and I wanted to bring versatile pieces that would work well in both the city and while ski touring. OR’s Panorama Point Poncho was one of the first pieces I packed. Here’s why: It’s stylish and versatile. Whether walking around town or hanging out on the sailboat, the poncho was a great piece to throw over whatever I was wearing. It paired well with leggings and boots and also worked over a puffy jacket after skiing when I wanted to whale watch. Thanks to the snaps on the arms, it’s easy to protect your camera underneath it, or have access to whatever is in your pockets in a different layer. It’s a piece that enhances whatever outfit you choose to wear it over. It protects your clothes. One of my favorite parts of these sail-and-ski trips is catching dinner. A challenge to this, though, is how to keep clothes from smelling fishy for the remainder of the trip when handling the fish. This is where the poncho comes in. Whether it’s fish or something else you don’t want to get on your nice clothes, just throw on the poncho. It acts as a great protector. The full-length zipper makes it incredibly easy to get on and off with gloved hands. And I found with a little soap and water, the scent of fish came right out. The poncho easily dries overnight when near a heater, and is ready to go for more adventures the following day. It’s lightweight and easy to pack. I often find myself traveling with skis and climbing gear, in situations where weight is a factor. The poncho packs down easily and is lightweight. In the past year, this poncho has accompanied me from Alaska to Iceland. I always keep it handy. Besides protecting me from the elements, in a pinch it’s also been a great pack cover, protecting my backpack from precipitation. It’s more than a raincoat. The poncho is longer than a raincoat, but not too long that I get caught up in it. The length is especially helpful when the weather decides to combine wind and rain. I enjoy that it keeps my thighs protected from the elements when most rain jackets wouldn’t. This spring I found myself skiing on a rainy day in Snowbird, Utah. I threw on the poncho over my hemisphere coat, and it provided me with additional protection from the elements, especially on lift rides. At the end of the day, I could easily take off the poncho, hang it on the back of the driver’s seat and found myself warm and dry on the car ride home, not having to deal with too many wet layers. It makes the rainy days more fun. One piece of advice I’ve learned from people who live in wet climates—from Iceland to Seattle—is that no matter the weather, it’s best to try to get outside. The poncho gives you no excuse to stay indoors. Whether you’re walking the dog or going to find reindeer on an island in Norway in a steady drizzle, I just throw the poncho on and I’m ready for adventure. It’s a fun piece that makes me want to twirl in the rain instead of staying indoors.
