At a Glance
With winter around the corner, I couldn’t wait to test out Prolimit’s Water Repellant Poncho Frontzip Extreme, and from the second I unpacked it, I knew this poncho was built for the elements. The material felt durable yet lightweight, and the water-repellent coating on the outside was immediately noticeable. I’ve tested other ponchos that were so bulky that they needed a separate bag to put them in, but this poncho packs down way smaller. When I tried it on, I was surprised by how easy it was to put on and off, thanks to the size of the front zipper. The poncho fits comfortably, with enough room to move around, making changing into my wetsuit effortless. If you’re anything like me and live on a cooler coast, you’ll love the soft terry cloth lining inside, which gives you immediate warmth—a big plus when you’re stripping down in cold, windy conditions.
I grabbed the poncho out on a particularly windy and rainy day, and it performed exactly as advertised. The water-repellent layer kept me dry, so I didn’t have to rush through my wetsuit change like usual. The oversized hood kept my head warm and protected from the wind. It also doubled as a jacket between sessions—super comfortable to lounge around in, have a coffee in the van, hang out at the beach for a post-session chat and stay warm!
Overall
The terry cloth interior does a great job of retaining heat, and I’ve even found myself using it as an extra layer of warmth while hanging out at the beach. The Prolimit Water Repellant Poncho Frontzip Extreme has quickly become a must-have on my list of winter essentials. Whether you’re battling winter weather or just need a comfortable poncho to change into your wetsuit, this one has you covered—literally!
This review was in Issue 22 of Tonic Mag.
For more information visit ProlimitBy Jen Tyler
Italian/Egyptian Jen Tyler grew up on the sandy beaches of the Red Sea and has been on the IKSURFMAG & Tonic Mag team since 2017.