The elements are dry, easy to handle, and convenient to replace. Airflow per square inch is so poor that the paper must be pleated using many feet of material to make a filter. All dirt or dust particles must be caught on the surface or not at all. Each time a particle is caught, it stops up a hole. From the moment you start your engine, you have a rapidly decreasing air flow rate.
Paper also has two other big drawbacks for off-road use.
Any moisture reaching the element causes the fibers to swell, reducing airflow even more. Another is the possibility of rupture. Paper is not a very strong material, especially where it is creased to form each pleat. Intake manifold backfires, or cleaning attempts with compressed air, usually rupture the paper leaving the filter ineffective. This is another screen type that is only 1mm thick.