I've found the poncho useful as the upper half of raingear. It breathes better than a rain parka and has worked well for where I've been. The parka is definitely the better choice up on a windy tundra ridge though.

It might be ironic but I'm presently reading the daily journals of Lewis & Clark. Those men endured in wet leather clothing huddled under wet elkskins. In those conditions I'd probably cry like a little girl.......

Meantime I'll make the effort to do more practice with my poncho shelter kit. But not in the backyard because that's not where I'm likely to really need it.