I've had a Paramo jacket for 15 yrs and have never been wet in it, occasionally just slightly damp . It used to get hard 'work' use (8hr bird surveys on Scottish hills in winter) but if its washed and treated it still looks and performs like new. I guess if it's not washed and treated now and again, water proofing will fall off. I would agree that wearing a rucksack on top will be an issue for waterproofing, that would require more regular wash & treat - but no worse than any other waterproof jacket. I find it too warm for summer use, and it is a bit heavy for throwing in the bag for 'just in case'. I think Paramo jackets can get overloaded with sweat from hard exercise, but I don't find them any worse than Goretex, and they last longer. Where wildlife is concerned, Paramo kit is relatively quiet, with some other jackets it's a bit like walking around in a crisp packet. I've never used the trousers.