Walking jacket

Jay Hendry said:

I've heard a lot of positive comments about Paramo kit but the only thing
thats really putting me off is people say they run hot. Now normally for me
the combination of a fleece (200 or 300 depending on ambient temperature)
over a cotton t shirt and I'm about right. Add the jacket and I get a bit
warmer but nothing major

I'm one of the "but I get boiled alive" folk, and for the record I'd
normally feel boiled alive in a 200 weight fleece with a jacket over the
top, so if you're happy in that I'd think you'll stand a good chance of
being happy in Paramo. You might not want it on over a 200 weight
fleece but there again you could just wear the Paramo jacket and leave
off the fleece, which is actually what the Paramo stuff is designed to
do. It's really meant as an all-day garment, not a rain only one. For
most folk it's breathable enough with enough venting that this is a
problem, but I actually prefer non-windproof kit a lot of the time so I
can use cold winds for active cooling. Unless you feel that way too I
don't think Paramo should be too hot.

Incidentally, I'd bin the cotton T for walking and get a purpose
designed base layer. They tend to be rather more comfortable over a
long day.

Quoted message said:

to be swapping clothing all the time. I've read they come with ventilation
zips but if its horizontal h2o then I'm not going to stay dry if the vents
are open surely.

Depends where the rain is coming from. If it's your left, no reason the
right hand vent shouldn't be open. If it's from behind, open up the
front zip too. Though again, it shouldn't be any worse inside when
"buttoned down" than a 200 fleece and "normal" waterproof.

I reckon the Paramo jackets are about equivalent to a windproof and a
micro fleece.

Quoted message said:

Also when I stop to take a breather or have some snap then
I don't want to chill down quickly. I know people have said you can wear
the paramo smocks/jackets in place of a fleece straight over a base layer
but as I say what happens when you stop the exercise?

As above, the liner is about equal to a microfleece in my estimation as
far as insulation value goes, plus the fact that it's windproof means
you can forget about the windchill for the most part which cuts through
Polartec 200. Do up the zips, put on a hat, pull up a scarf and that
should be more than enough in most cases.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Jay Hendry said:

I've heard a lot of positive comments about Paramo kit but the only thing
thats really putting me off is people say they run hot. Now normally for me

Put your name on the 'Paramo 500' list on their website, too. I don't
know what the chances of winning are, but I can vouch for the fact
that at least one of the winners listed is real. I got a very decent
'prize' that I wouldn't have risked cash on but has done a good
job of persuading me to buy more of their kit.

-adrian

Jay Hendry said:

I've heard a lot of positive comments about Paramo kit but the only thing
thats really putting me off is people say they run hot.

It might be useful to read some of the user reviews at OutdoorsMagic
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/defaultReviews.asp?sp=&v=3 Do a search
on *Paramo*.

You might want to consider the Velez smock. I too run hot, but I find
the ability to adjust side vents, front zip and sleeves allow me to
adjust to varying conditions and stay comfortable. Also, the side zips
make getting the smock on and off very easy, although whenever I've
worn it it's stayed on all day! Unless it was very cold I would wear
it just over a wicking (non-cotton!) base layer.

Richard G. said:

There's some really interesting stuff posted by the guy who came up with the
directional concept on the OM forums too, just in case you always wanted to
know how the "pump liner" actually works.

I know it works, but does *anyone* know how it actually works? ;->

I have to say it's the best winter jacket I've tried, very practical and
comfortable. You can repair it with patches and their customer service has
been very good. The reversible shirts are also good, and the trousers
fantastic.

Make sure you don't wash it in detergent, and there's no trace of it in the
washing machine.

It isn't as fool-proof water-proof as some fabrics, for example if you sit
down with the trousers wet or on a wet surface the water comes through
because the analogy fabric isn't designed to work that way. A few have had
trouble with rucksacs too, but their customer services look after you. They
don't just sell you the stuff then lose interest if you have problems.

They also have an ethical policy if that interests you, fair trade and
environment wise.

Hope this helps

Lewis

Hi,
you will find a review of the type of jackets you are looking for
in country walking mag this month including a Paramo.
Have you tried washing and proofing your jacket, it must be worth
the £10 or less in materials it will cost, but then not quite so much
fun as going buying new kit ;-)

In Article <[email hidden]>,Chris

proteus1@gmxDOTnet said:

I know it works, but does *anyone* know how it actually works? ;->

I know what you mean; I've tried to get a good explanation from several well
respected outlets, but the birds and mammals thing just didn't do it for me!
This used to frustrate the hell out of me though; I just can't accept that
things work, I have to at least try to understand how, even if I don't
succeed!

It's all about capillary depression apparently, along with the fabric being
hydrophobic and directional. Seriously though, the postings by the Paramo
MD, Nick Brown, on OM are, not surprisingly, the best explanation I've seen.
Worth a read if you find this kind of thing interesting.

Regards,
Richard G.

Richard G. said:

In Article <[email hidden]>,Adrian Godwin
<[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Put your name on the 'Paramo 500' list on their website, too. I don't
know what the chances of winning are, but I can vouch for the fact
that at least one of the winners listed is real. I got a very decent
'prize' that I wouldn't have risked cash on but has done a good
job of persuading me to buy more of their kit.

Quoted message said:

I managed a couple of bottles of Nikwax as a runner up a few months ago, but
no luck on the bigger prizes yet.

I've been delighted to discover how good Nikwax water-repellent stuff
is at turning outdoor garments that soak up water like a sponge into
ones off which the rain bounces. It's not only keeping old
mountain gear efficient for much longer, but improving my stock of
street clothes which will take rain in their stride.
--
Chris Malcolm [email hidden] +44 (0)131 651 3445 DoD #205
IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK
[http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]

Chris Malcolm <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

I've been delighted to discover how good Nikwax water-repellent stuff
is at turning outdoor garments that soak up water like a sponge into
ones off which the rain bounces. It's not only keeping old
mountain gear efficient for much longer, but improving my stock of
street clothes which will take rain in their stride.
--

Are you referring to the 'wash-in' liquid, or the spray?
I bought a 1L bottle of the TechWash the other day, slightly more
economical than the 300mL bottles, but the spray seems expensive.

I have the wash-in stuff which I use when the rain starts soaking into
my old coat, but I was thinking about the spray for the fabric boots I
got from LiDL, and for 'showerproof' jackets and older waterproofs which
I still keep.
--
Gordon

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Chris Malcolm <[email hidden]> wrote
I have the wash-in stuff which I use when the rain starts soaking into
my old coat, but I was thinking about the spray for the fabric boots I
got from LiDL, and for 'showerproof' jackets and older waterproofs which
I still keep.

having tried the spray-on stuff on fabric boots, I find the 'paint on'
proofing works better - either the leather & fabric or the suede &
nubuck, depending on the boot. It seems to get into the boot far more.

--
Darren

Darren G <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Chris Malcolm <[email hidden]> wrote
I have the wash-in stuff which I use when the rain starts soaking into
my old coat, but I was thinking about the spray for the fabric boots I
got from LiDL, and for 'showerproof' jackets and older waterproofs which
I still keep.

having tried the spray-on stuff on fabric boots, I find the 'paint on'
proofing works better - either the leather & fabric or the suede &
nubuck, depending on the boot. It seems to get into the boot far more.

OK - thanks for that.
--
Gordon

"Gordon" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Are you referring to the 'wash-in' liquid, or the spray?
I bought a 1L bottle of the TechWash the other day, slightly more
economical than the 300mL bottles, but the spray seems expensive.

I have the wash-in stuff which I use when the rain starts soaking into
my old coat, but I was thinking about the spray for the fabric boots I
got from LiDL, and for 'showerproof' jackets and older waterproofs which
I still keep.

Nikwax do quite an array of products labelled for different items and have a
bit on their website where you pick whatever you want to reproof from some
lists and it tells you what to use. I sent them an Email asking what the
differences were between products once after using the stuff I'd bought for
my goretex jacket on my tent and got a non committal Email back saying that
they'd all work fine but the tent stuff was cheaper. The tent spray I've
got here now which I'm going to use on my windproof nylon top was £5.49 for
500ml in Blacks. I've also got a little pot of their fabric & leather stuff
which has a foam top applicator to rub it in with (came free with
something). Sprays are more fun to use and make your laminate flooring very
slippy which can be fun for any small children that might be in the
vicinity. 100ml of spray is supposed to cover 1 square meter.

AndyP <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Nikwax do quite an array of products labelled for different items and have a
bit on their website where you pick whatever you want to reproof from some
lists and it tells you what to use. I sent them an Email asking what the
differences were between products once after using the stuff I'd bought for
my goretex jacket on my tent and got a non committal Email back saying that
they'd all work fine but the tent stuff was cheaper. The tent spray I've
got here now which I'm going to use on my windproof nylon top was £5.49 for
500ml in Blacks. I've also got a little pot of their fabric & leather stuff
which has a foam top applicator to rub it in with (came free with
something). Sprays are more fun to use and make your laminate flooring very
slippy which can be fun for any small children that might be in the
vicinity. 100ml of spray is supposed to cover 1 square meter.

Must bear that in mind for the grandchildren's presents. :-)

Information Noted.
--
Gordon