Paramo Jackets

In article <[email hidden]>, Norman

URL: said:

Having been asked by my wife what I would like for Christmas has
prompted me to ask about Paramo Jackets. Are they as good as they are
made out to be. Waterproof, windproof and warm are my main requisite
features.
Any comments recommendations from current users of these garments
welcome.

Norman

I have a Paramo Velez smock which I use for cycling to and from work in
the winter season, I also use Paramo trousers for ski-touring (but use
a Goretex XCR jacket plus a fleece).

They are very water resistant, hard wearing, and they can be easily
reproofed by washing in Nikwax as per instructions. They don't loose
their water resistance if punctured by thorns or if repaired by sowing.

I think you are more likely to find them too warm, than not warm enough.

Mike <URL:http://www.path.cam.ac.uk/~mrc7/>
--
o/ \\ // |\ ,_ o Mike Clark
<\__,\\ // __o | \ / /\, "A mountain climbing, cycling, skiing,
"> || _`\<,_ |__\ \> | immunology lecturer, antibody engineer and
` || (_)/ (_) | \corn computer user"

Norman said:

Having been asked by my wife what I would like for Christmas has
prompted me to ask about Paramo Jackets. Are they as good as they are
made out to be. Waterproof, windproof and warm are my main requisite
features.

Yes, near as dammit, and yes for the waterproof, windproof and warm
questions.

Quoted message said:

Any comments recommendations from current users of these garments
welcome.

I'm a past user: I found mine too warm for anything other than full
winter conditions, but since I find a lot of things too warm and you
specify you want a warm coat I'd say that's not really an issue. Other
downside frequently quoted is bulk and weight, /but/ since the liner is
thermally similar to a microfleece IME it means you have one less layer
to carry, and if you're going to take that layer anyway with a "normal"
shell then that, too, is a moot point.

They're well made and they do pretty much what it says on the tin as
regards waterproof and breathability.

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/

I concurr, but I do find the frequent washing and reproofing (if you use it
regularly) a bit of a bind.

Cheers

Blippie
--
Ten minutes of this rain will do more good in half an hour than a fortnight
of ordinary rain in a month.

(Norman) said:

Having been asked by my wife what I would like for Christmas has
prompted me to ask about Paramo Jackets. Are they as good as they are
made out to be. Waterproof, windproof and warm are my main requisite
features.
Any comments recommendations from current users of these garments
welcome.

I have had a Paramo Cascada jacket for six years, almost to the day,
and I assure you it is waterproof, windproof, warm (think of it as two
layers in one) and very, very comfortable to wear. It is also proving
very hard-wearing. Minor punctures should not affect its performance
and if you wash it by accident in detergent it isn't ruined, you can
recover its proofing by washing it again properly and proofing it.
It's one of my best-ever buys and definitely worth the money.

HTH

John D.
--
at home in Kendal, Cumbria
Lake District Walks at: http://www.lakedistrictwalks.com/
Kilimanjaro trip at: http://www.lakedistrictwalks.com/kilimanjaro/

(Norman) said:

Having been asked by my wife what I would like for Christmas has
prompted me to ask about Paramo Jackets. Are they as good as they are
made out to be. Waterproof, windproof and warm are my main requisite
features.
Any comments recommendations from current users of these garments
welcome.

They are waterproof, windproof and warm. The main criticism is that
they can be *too* warm.

If you run hot, then I would recommend the Velez smock or Cuzco jacket
(or the Alta II), all of which have better ventilation options than
the Cascada or Alta. If you are happy with a smock, then the Velez
probably has the best ventilation options.

Best, though, to ask the next person you see wearing Paramo. Paramo
don't do much advertising, but seem to rely primarily on personal
recommendation.

(Norman) said:

Having been asked by my wife what I would like for Christmas has
prompted me to ask about Paramo Jackets. Are they as good as they are
made out to be. Waterproof, windproof and warm are my main requisite
features.
Any comments recommendations from current users of these garments
welcome.

I have three Paramo products:
1. Aspira Smock
2. Aspira Salopettes
3. Viento Zip Offs (trousers/shorts)

Smock is excellent - but not for summer shower use. 3 season in this
case means autumn, winter and spring. It is fully waterproof, warm
and windproof. It has two long zip vents and the front pocket is
almost endless in size.

The salopettes are 1 season - winter only (sub zero). They are very
warm but do have a full leg length zip vent.

The zip offs are 3 season (not summer). Warm and windproof. Good zip
vents. I find that they have a tendency to slip down, and have to
hitch them up every 30 mins or so, even with the belt adjusted.

"Norman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Having been asked by my wife what I would like for Christmas has
prompted me to ask about Paramo Jackets. Are they as good as they are
made out to be. Waterproof, windproof and warm are my main requisite
features.
Any comments recommendations from current users of these garments
welcome.

Norman

I have a Paramo Scala jacket I bought in 1994 which was in daily use (not
always in the hills!) until I bought my present Cascada jacket about five
years ago. I have a pair of Cascada trousers which I wear around the house
in Winter, You don't need to carry separate over-trousers if the weather's
uncertain. They're all washed and re-proofed as necessary and are still very
comfortable to wear; one of their greatest advantages, to me, anyway. I
would agree with the heat comments, but find that even in cold weather, a
Rohan or Helly-Hansen T-shirt type of thing underneath is fine, but I do
recognise that it might not be for everyone.

Agree about the reversible shirts too, worn all the time and look as good as
new after 5 and 6 years (I have two).

Regards

Pat Macguire

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Norman said:

Having been asked by my wife what I would like for Christmas has
prompted me to ask about Paramo Jackets. Are they as good as they are
made out to be. Waterproof, windproof and warm are my main requisite
features.
Any comments recommendations from current users of these garments
welcome.

These are excellent jackets. I think you have to be really warm walkers,
like Pete, to feel that they are too hot. Remember that Paramo usually
saves you wearing a mid layer.

I bought a Velez smock earlier this year and find that it is no warmer than
my Windstopper fleece. However, it is far more useful and rainproof.

Recently I have bought an Alta II full featured winter jacket and find that
this is even better than the Velez. The ventilation works really well and
the jacket is lighter than older style Paramo jackets. It is looser cut
than the Velez which makes it more comfortable for winter walking. I
haven't used mine in real cold conditions yet, in fact I had it out in Edale
for the first time a couple of weeks ago when it was rather mild; the jacket
proved to be very comfortable.

--
Andy Howell
Birmingham, UK

On Tue, 09 Nov 2004 19:02:20 +0000, C L Imber
<[email hidden]> wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

3. Viento Zip Offs (trousers/shorts)

[...]

Quoted message said:

The zip offs are 3 season (not summer). Warm and windproof. Good zip
vents. I find that they have a tendency to slip down, and have to
hitch them up every 30 mins or so, even with the belt adjusted.

Hmm! Well, I suppose that adds interest and spice! 🙂

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \

(Norman) said:

Having been asked by my wife what I would like for Christmas has
prompted me to ask about Paramo Jackets. Are they as good as they are
made out to be. Waterproof, windproof and warm are my main requisite
features.
Any comments recommendations from current users of these garments
welcome.

Norman

Thanks for all your help with this.

Norman