Better than conventional gear? ABSOLUTELY!! Before the Packa, backpackers only had two options for protecting themselves and their pack from rain: a rain jacket/pack-cover combination or a backpacker's poncho. Both options have MAJOR drawbacks. The Packa is the absolutely the best backpacking rain garment because it combines the best features of both previous options. The biggest problem backpackers face when hiking in the rain or cold is sweat. If the backpack is worn over conventional rain gear, air does not circulate under the hiker's rain garment. Even in the coldest weather, you will sweat if you wear your backpack over your shell. Chest and pit vents in conventional rain jackets are useless due to the proximity of the shoulder straps, sternum strap, and waist belt. Vents cannot vent if air cannot flow in and out freely. Excellent venting is the most important feature of the Packa. Hikers need clothing that can be easily vented to release body heat as hiking becomes more strenuous. Also, "breathable" fabrics (like Goretex and eVent) cannot "breathe" if there is no air circulating under the garment.  All breathable fabrics require air to transport the liquid through the fabric. The Packa allows hikers to regulate their body temperature much, much better than earlier backpacking garments. Another problem with conventional rain gear is the lack of protection for pack's shoulder straps and waist belt, as they are not covered by either the pack-cover or the backpacker's rain gear. Rain will eventually soak the shoulder straps and waist belt and often water will seep into the backpack as it runs down the backpacker's back. Option two, the backpacker's poncho provides good ventilation, but wind creates the biggest problem with backpacking ponchos as they have a tendency to blow up in a windy rain storm. Unlike backpacking ponchos, the Packa has sleeves with hook/loop closures, a front zipper, drawstrings in the hood and along the bottom hem, huge zippered pit vents, and a pocket. Backpacking ponchos are also difficult to put on and take off, especially if hiking alone. Another problem with both pre-Packa options is that a backpacker is compelled to stop and remove the backpack before donning the garment. This is always inconvenient. The design of the Packa allows it to be donned more easily than a backpacker's poncho or conventional rain gear because it is worn over the pack as a pack-cover only at first. The bottom hem, hood, and sleeves are tucked inside the pack-cover section of the garment when it is placed on the pack. This allows the backpacker to hike with or without the parka section of the garment. If the backpacker wishes to don the sleeves and hood, he reaches over his head and loosens the drawstring on the pack-cover. He pulls the sleeves and hood out from inside the pack-cover. The Packa is designed to be loose enough for the backpacker to easily put the arms in or take the arms out of the sleeves, without removing the backpack. After placing the arms in the sleeves and zipping the front zipper, the backpacker reaches behind his head and retightens the packcover drawstring.