for cold and damp?

Ponchos suck, until you need to see your feet on complicated terrain and/or the wind picks up. Then they suck even more.

Ponchos ventilate well and also double as a pack cover. That being said, I only carry one on SUL trips where it's also doubling as my shelter, and I avoid putting it on as long as possible. On good trails they can work pretty well, but anything more and they aren't my favorite.

What JAmes said.

A Packa will be better than a poncho B/C it breathes around the bottom but doesn't flap all over in a wind like a poncho.

some OR jackets are almost poncho like in their ventilation … its what i use

Thanks for the replies on that. Is there anything else people would suggest about the system? It will only be used down to about 40F but my main concern is from about 65F down to 40F or freezing when there is a lot of wind and rain for long periods of time.

I have looked at the Packa before and will probably make a few inquiries. As for the OR stuff, which models have you looked at Eric and what of them comes in a very long for the tall variety?

i use the OR revel myself

check the descriptions on OR's site … as to tall sizes, youll need to ask OR

This Scot wouldn't recommend a poncho. Far too windy for it to work for most of my hiking. My system for our wet climate is merino base, 100 weight fleece, windshirt, rainshell. I'll wear whatever combo is needed. I use that for most of the year, changing the base layer weight to suit the temps. I also carry a spare insulation layer for throwing over everything at rest. That's my backpacking gear.
For daywalks, and overnight trips, i use Paramo or Buffalo gear if the conditions are right.

Mike, no Paramo in sustained rain, or yes but only if it's really cold?

Most of the things I have read say that it is for below 40F which does not meet my needs. That and I don't think I could justify a $400 shell.

I guess it depends on the type of hiking you do. Mine is mostly in off trail mountainous, terrain, so i can build up a fair amount of heat. Around 40-45F and below is when i'll wear Paramo. I could wear it in much warmer temps on easier terrain. Most Paramo garments have lots of venting options for cooling. Paramo gear is stuff that you put on at the start of the day, and keep on all day. It is pretty heavy to carry. Sustained rain is Paramo meat and drink though. :)
The only problem i have with Paramo gear, is that in my experience, it can sometimes hold a fair amount of water if the DWR needs renewing. Don't get me wrong, you will be dry and comfortable at skin level, but the garment may be wet. This isn't a problem when hiking, but i don't like bringing wet gear into the tent/shelter in my already humid climate. With conventional membrane rain gear, a quick shake will get rid of any water. Obviously you could carry an extra dry sack to store it overnight. If i was wearing Paramo pants though, that would mean i needed to bring extra pants to wear inside my shelter.
I suppose it depends on wether you want to carry seperate tent clothes. So basically, i wouldn't backpack with Paramo gear, but shorter trips are fine.
Others may have different opinions though. :)

Edit. Paramo gear last forever. I'm using stuff that is quite a few years old. A lot of their gear is much lighter these days, so maybe more suitable for warmer conditions.