Several years ago during a team trip north of the border, we scored epic waves but were caught in more than one heavy rain squalls. One in particular happened when we were back at the truck changing out of our wetsuits. The changing towel I was using quickly became soaked and the clothes I was putting on underneath got drenched. Which made walking into a restaurant for our post surf breakfast pretty uncomfortable. I started to wonder if anybody was selling a waterproof version of a changing towel? A quick google search resulted in very few options and nothing that I thought we couldn’t make a better version of. This was the beginning of the Discovery Division Travel Poncho.
Voited is a company a friend introduced me too when I brought up my idea. They make blankets that are waterproof on one side and are made from recycled plastic bottles. They’ve also developed them to fold up into a pillow, creating the perfect camping and travel accessory. They are durable, stain resistant, and machine washable. All of these features would work perfectly as a changing poncho if they were open to collaborating with us.
To my surprise and our good fortune, they jumped at the opportunity to work together. They quickly produced several versions and were open to feedback and suggestions. Overall they were fantastic to work with. In the end, a product was created that is unique, high quality, multipurpose, and something we are proud to offer. Here are its features:
We call it a travel poncho because it serves several purposes ideal for life on the go. It’s water resistant and insulated, perfect for use in any weather condition. The ideal early morning surf check attire that keeps you warm and dry, no matter where your adventures take you. Or, late night campfire poncho for that extra layer of warmth after a long day of surfing. When folded up, it’s the perfect airplane or camping pillow. Super soft and easily attaches to a backpack or your luggage with its built-in hanging loop. One less thing you need to worry about lugging around an airport or on a trail.
How’s it made:
The travel poncho is developed using fabrics that are eco-conscious, technologically advanced, durable and highly functional. A three-layer sandwich construction using 3D Featherlight Fiber Insulation, a super breathable and warm micro-thermal fill insulation. This gives it improved rebound, lofty touch, warmth like down, and allows for conventional machine washing and drying. The outer fabric is a recycled Ripstop REPREVE which is Teflon EcoElite treated for improved water-resistance.
3D synthetic lightweight fiber:
Long continuous fibers creating a three-dimensional grid to achieve durability and rebound.
Recycled REPREVE Fabric:
REPREVE is the leading, most trusted, branded performance fiber made from recycled materials (including plastic bottles). When you buy products made with REPREVE, you are making a difference. They transform recycled bottles into an amazing fiber, used by the world's leading brands to make athletic and fashion apparel and more. Their process embeds properties like wicking, adaptive warming and cooling, water repellency, and more at the fiber level. For reliable, durable quality.
Teflon EcoElite Renewably Sourced Fabric Treatment:
Teflon EcoElite™ finish is the first renewably sourced, plant-based, non-fluorinated fabric treatment for durable water repellency and is manufactured with 60 percent renewably sourced raw materials. Up to three times more durable than existing non-fluorinated repellents.
Team Rider Reviews:
Jonathan Grubbs:
"No matter what the conditions throw at you, the Travel Poncho keeps the transition from water to land cozy and comfortable.”
Tyler Cunningham:
“Not only does the Travel Poncho keep you warm and dry, the interior fabric is great for drying you off after a surf. Being able to fold it into a pillow is epic and perfect for camping or traveling. The exterior material is super durable and has withstood my dog’s claws climbing all over it in the back of my truck!”
Bryce Baker:
“The poncho makes getting into your wetsuit so much easier! Never have to tie the towel around my waist to change again! Crazy how warm the material on the inside of the poncho is too… after surfs can even wear it as a jacket!”
