Review: MYOG - WWTCS Rain Cape

Being out in the rain is usually unpleasant. If you don't get wet from the outside, moisture comes from the inside through sweating under, for example, Goretex clothing. Furthermore, the rest of the equipment is not protected, and there may even be pressure points that affect the Goretex clothing (think of material fatigue on the shoulders). Even the good old rain poncho doesn't help with sweating, but at least it protects the equipment - the price for this is that you can't access things anymore and the sleeves have a similar aerodynamic behavior to a wingsuit. Martin looked around and brought an old product back to life with new materials: the Russian Plash Palatka.

The Plash Palatka is a canvas cape used by the Russians in World War II. This cape was closed with wooden buttons and could be expanded into a small tent with a second part (similar to the Bundeswehr Dackelgarage).

With the model presented here, an attempt was made to replace the weaknesses of the original (buttons, hemp cord, heavy tarpaulin) with modern materials and the result is - the WWTCS (WetWeatherTacticalCloakSystem).

The base material is a BE-X Begadi Pathfinder Tarp in Multiterrain color.

This color is similar to Ranger Green, sometimes green, sometimes brown, depending on the surroundings. All accessories come from TACTICALTRIM - cord stoppers, shock cord, snap fasteners, eyelets, etc.

Like the original, the WWTCS is 180cmx180cm and one of the four corners serves as a hood. This is created by pulling the shock cord together at 4 points. The corner is then folded once and held in place by a magnet.

When wearing the WWTCS as a cloak, you only need to close a snap fastener and can easily reach your chestrig, etc., as the construction causes the tarp to fall slightly outward. This also promotes the beading off of raindrops - they will not run onto your pants.

When completely closing the cloak, you can stick your arms through 2 slits on both sides, which are also held closed with magnets.

If you want to carry a large backpack, you can easily accommodate it, but the WWTCS can no longer be completely closed. Time will tell whether a modification needs to be made here or if carrying a kitbag or chestrig will lead to issues/moisture.

Upon arriving at the camp, the WWTCS becomes a shelter: you open the cord stoppers and have a square tarp again. This can now be hung up in a trapezoidal shape, resulting in a sufficiently good length for a sleeping place.

The possibilities of the Plash Platka are shown in the old Russian service manual.

CONCLUSION: If you are not a fan of Goretex and don't know what to do with ponchos, you should take a look at the Russian Plash Palatka. The WWTCS is currently in the testing/prototype phase and if there are enough interested parties, there will surely be someone who will manufacture the piece in series.

Many thanks again to TACTICALTRIM and BE-X/Begadi for the materials!