Well, I don't really "need"another jacket but was wondering if anyone has had experience with both Paramo and anything made from Polartec Power Shield Pro. I guess the biggest question for me is how do the two materials compare relative to breathability.
The PSP's breathability limit is, at heart, a microporous membrane, the Paramo's is a quite windproof but conventional microfibre. So the Paramo will be significantly more breathable.
But I would suggest there's more to our typical notions of what breathability means than, well, breathability. Particularly, I'd suggest what most of us are after is comfort and how the jacket affects that. In terms of breathability that will often come back to clamminess but how moist it gets inside is not only related to how good at getting rid of vapour the fabric is but also to how much you sweat in the first place. Paramo's liner is like another layer of fleece inside, so unless it's cold and you'd be wearing an extra layer under the PSP anyway then you're going to sweat more in the Paramo and there's a fair chance some of that extra sweat will condense in base and mid layers and not get directly "breathed out" in any case.
I don't like Paramo in the warm because I sweat buckets inside it. That it's remarkably breathable is rather beside the point: I'd sooner have less insulation and not be doing the sweating. For warm conditions I'd rather have a light, easily stowed membrane waterproof, but for the cold where I'd use extra layers anyway the comfort answer, irrespective of breathability, is different.
Well one very practical difference is that PPro jackets simply aren't being made to be waterproof. So no seam taping, pockets not protected etc. You have to move to Neo shell to get that.
Paramo does also have a fait bit more airflow - 2 to 3 times I'd guess. But also a non trivial effect with Paramo that its the only the very outer layer blocking air flow to any extent, and anything condensing there can't get back through the liner.
There was a notable thing in the recent BPL waterproof testing where they included PPro as a control. On the walk they did without wind it wasn't actually doing any better than standard (good!) waterproof breathables. It did however clear much faster/further on the one up a hill where it got a breeze.
To be honest, unless you've got quite specific conditions where the extra HH on PPro lets you not carry a shell untaped seams etc non withstanding, then I really don't see why you shouldn't use a straight up stretch woven or such instead.
For me Paramo is only a product I use in cold or cooler and/or windy conditions; both wet and dry. I don't really sweat much and tend to run a little cold.
To address Martin's point: If I do decide to get a PSP jacket or pull-over I'd be using it in very specific conditions where I'd be "on the move". So it seems to me the PSP would work well in those conditions where the snow is heavy and wet but not wet enough to overwhelm the outer fabric.
To be honest, I'd never have gotten to this point in my quest for comfortable winter clothing had it not been for OM in general and those who post on OM.
In the last three years I've pretty much revamped/updated my entire winter wardrobe; the result being able to be in the weather without sacrificing mobility, efficiency, protection and weight. It's made a huge difference in my day to day outdoor activities.
another jacket but was wondering if anyone has had experience with both Paramo and anything made from Polartec Power Shield Pro. I guess the biggest question for me is how do the two materials compare relative to breathability. 
