Last week I had the opportunity to head up to North Wales for a few days of walking.
With it being mid October I knew it was going to be a good time to test out the new Páramo Velez Smock which Páramo have kindly sent me to test out over the winter.
Here are my initial thoughts of the jacket after getting to use it in some pretty horrible conditions.
Fabric Technology
Páramo Jackets have some really interesting fabric tech which sets them apart from most brands.
I could bore your socks off which fabric tech in outdoor clothing but I will try keep it short.
The majority of waterproof jackets on the market are shell jackets. A hard, outer fabric which looks and feels waterproof. Highly waterproof but lack breathability.
Páramo has taken a unique approach to the waterproofing technology.
Páramo clothing directs condensation, sweat and rain to where you need it to be, which is usually away from you.
Páramo directional clothing systems keep you cool when you need to be, and keep you warm in cool conditions. It is that simple.
Fabric breathability alone isn’t enough – it’s important for the fabric to direct moisture away from your body. Otherwise, when you’re working hard, sweat can build up in your clothes. This moisture can cause you to cool down quickly when you stop to rest.
So to combat the waterproof aspect of the jacket, Páramo us Nikwax.
All fabrics branded by Nikwax are water-repellent, meaning they help push water away from you. These fabrics are commonly used in outer or mid-layer clothing.
My thoughts on Páramo fabric technology
I was pleasantly surprised. It really works.
At first glance the Velez Smock look very different to my usual shell waterproof jacket but as soon as the heavens opened (which didn’t take long) the jacket started beading up really well.
About 3 hours into the hike we reached the wind shelter at the summit of Penygader (893m) and the rain had been pretty persistent.
The smock was no longer beading but I was still bone dry underneath and lovely and warm.
The rain stop about and hour later. When taking it off at the end of the day my layers underneath were still dry and I was still toasty warm.
Páramo Velez Smock
Pros
- Lovely & warm
- Super breathable
- Great Waterproofness
- Relaxed fit which made it easy to go over the top of layers
- Pouch pocket has an small internal pocket which was perfect for phone
- Bright colour
- Pit vents are very easy to access and use
- Side zips make getting jacket on and off super easy
Cons
- Only one pocket
- No hand pockets
- Quite expensive (£290.00)
- Hood was very large and flapped around a lot in the wind
- Front pouch pocket could fit an OS map but was quite tight
- My wife now wants one
A quick caveat on price
The Páramo Velez Smock RRP’s at £290.00 I’ve manage to find it for £245 with a quick search on Google.
Páramo are industry leaders on ethical and sustainable manufacturing. So although you might be paying a high price for a waterproof jacket you know you’re supporting a company who gives back to the people who actually create it.
80% of Páramo jackets are created in there Columbian factory which carries the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) First-Buyer Label.
All factory profits are reinvested in equipment and in social projects. A housing co-operative in a district of Bogotá, Columbia, gives the women the opportunity to buy property at a fair price.
You can read more about Páramo’s ethics here.
Overall, I was super impressed with my initial impressions of the Páramo Velez Smock.
I didn’t get wet after 4 hours in persistent rain and was always warm enough to stay comfortable but never to hot to worry about wetting my jacket out from the inside out.
I’m going to be testing this jacket out over the winter here in Dorset so keep a look out for a review after some more testing.
Looking for a new backpack this winter? Check out our Top 3 Osprey Packs
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