Canyon Steinzig - June 3, 2003
Packa Integrated Parka & Packcover Review 

Overview: The Packa is best described as a sil-nylon parka with an integral pack cover. It is hooded with a full front zip, long pit zips under the arms, elastic cuffs, and a pocket which it easily stuffs into. The pack cover is a cubic rectangle which, according to the manufacturer, can fit packs up to a maximum of 4500 cubic inches. I used this article as my only rain gear on my JMT hike this summer where it rained every day but two- perfect conditions to really put the Packa through the paces.

Pros: I stayed dry without having to take off my pack, which was really cool. In light rain I’d hike with the pack cover part of the Packa keeping my pack dry and jacket part tucked away. When the rain got heavy or I got cold, usually transient thirty minute periods with bits of lighter rain, I would pull on the jacket part of the Packa without having to take off my pack. Completely comfortable, totally waterproof. My bag never had a drip of water on it.

I like having the body of the jacket over my pack not under it. Airflow and temperature control were better than with a jacket due to the Packa’s roomy cut and my ability to take off the jacket without having to take off my pack. At 10 oz it is lighter than separate jackets and pack covers. I also found it large enough to be rigged as a door/vestibule to my tarp during bad storms.

Cons: It is not breathable. Although it has great air flow, I would only wear the jacket part of the Packa if it was truly pouring. The minute the rain let up it was off my body and resting on the pack. The times when I had to wear it longer my arms did get sweaty, but my body was dry.

The hood is waterproof but that’s about it: no rigidity, no bill.

Because the Packa’s pack cover is one-size-fits-all and incorporated right into the jacket, the size of your pack will influence the fit of the jacket. Despite the manufacturer’s claim that it’ll fit up to 4500 cubic inches, I found the arms to be too tight and the zipper hard to zip when I was using my 3750 cubic inch GoLite Gust, but no problem with my 2900 cubic inch GoLite Breeze.

The Bottom Line: Overall a pretty cool piece of gear, highly recommended with the caveats listed. Just make sure it fits over your size pack and that you can still zip it closed.

- See more at: http://www.thepacka.com/canyon-steinzig/#sthash.tyYu4MMA.dpuf
Packa Integrated Parka & Packcover  Canyon Steinzig

Overview: The Packa is best described as a sil-nylon parka with an integral pack cover. It is hooded with a full front zip, long pit zips under the arms, elastic cuffs, and a pocket which it easily stuffs into. The pack cover is a cubic rectangle which, according to the manufacturer, can fit packs up to a maximum of 4500 cubic inches.

I used this article as my only rain gear on my JMT hike this summer where it rained every day but two- perfect conditions to really put the Packa through the paces.

Pros: I stayed dry without having to take off my pack, which was really cool. In light rain I’d hike with the pack cover part of the Packa keeping my pack dry and jacket part tucked away. When the rain got heavy or I got cold, usually transient thirty minute periods with bits of lighter rain, I would pull on the jacket part of the Packa without having to take off my pack. Completely comfortable, totally waterproof. My bag never had a drip of water on it.

I like having the body of the jacket over my pack not under it. Airflow and temperature control were better than with a jacket due to the Packa’s roomy cut and my ability to take off the jacket without having to take off my pack. At 10 oz it is lighter than separate jackets and pack covers. I also found it large enough to be rigged as a door/vestibule to my tarp during bad storms.

Cons: It is not breathable. Although it has great air flow, I would only wear the jacket part of the Packa if it was truly pouring. The minute the rain let up it was off my body and resting on the pack. The times when I had to wear it longer my arms did get sweaty, but my body was dry.

The hood is waterproof but that’s about it: no rigidity, no bill.

Because the Packa’s pack cover is one-size-fits-all and incorporated right into the jacket, the size of your pack will influence the fit of the jacket. Despite the manufacturer’s claim that it’ll fit up to 4500 cubic inches, I found the arms to be too tight and the zipper hard to zip when I was using my 3750 cubic inch GoLite Gust, but no problem with my 2900 cubic inch GoLite Breeze.

The Bottom Line: Overall a pretty cool piece of gear, highly recommended with the caveats listed. Just make sure it fits over your size pack and that you can still zip it closed.