 Thanks to Simon Cardwell's initiative, a lot of members had the chance to try Paramo clothing at the weekend's Wasdale meet-up. So what did you all make of it? Will anyone be buying Paramo clothing as a result?
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 I test drove the waterproof overtrousers, which stood up to Saturday's torrential downpours pretty well, finally giving up the unequal struggle at about 5.00 pm, when I started to feel a tad damp, by which time it had been raining on and off quite heavily at times, for about three hours.
They were much lighter than my own el cheapo Michelin Man-style zeppelins, packed down small, and were easy to get on over boots thanks to a fiendishly cunning full-length zip and popper arrangement. They kept me dry inside and out most of the day, breathability was good, and were comfortable to wear even when the rain eased off.
I tried to hide from Si on Sunday morning in the hope he'd forget I had them, but I had to give them back, otherwise I'd gladly have kept them. I might even invest in a pair if the price is right!
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 I used the Velez smock all day saturday.
I was quite impressed. It kept me dry all day (apart from when I took the hood off during a rainy bit - doh!), it was very comfy, breathable enough that I didn't get clammy and had adequate venting which meant I could leave it on all day which saves a lot of faff stops.
Any probelms? Well, the hood draw strings don't have captive ends, so although it wasn't a problem this tme round, if it was very windy then that may be annoying. Only other misgivings are the weight and cost of the garment compared to say a light fleece and a pertex top.
I would consider buying one, but not at full price.
Si(C)
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 I'm sure I saw an advert in the back of this month's Trail for half-price Paramo kit which included the Velez. CCC seems to ring a bell. Don't have a copy handy. Sorry.
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 I don't want to sound rude but did only two people test the paramo gear at Wasdale? I remember that it was about month/six weeks ago that I irresponsibly started enquiring on the forum about Paramo - breathable/waterproof vs hardshell - everyone seemed to have an opinion then - and through Simon Cs initiative got Paramo to loan gear to be tested by the team and readers at the Wasdale meet. Yet for all those willing to accept using them - very few seem to be giving any feedbck on the forum (unless I am more of an idiot than I realise and hundreds of responses are posted somewhere else on the site along with a decent gear review by OM Editorial team.)
Well how about it guys? You have used them for a whole day for free - an opportunity few of of us get - lets have some detailed feedback - the only 'payment' us OM members and I suppose Paramo want. I want to know about YOUR experiences with Paramo gear! PLEASE!
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Yes me too. Paramo gear has and will be continued to be reviewed as part of OM's editorial review section - see Velez, Third Element and Salopettes, sort ingan Aspira out for this winter - but I didn't use any Paramo at the weekend - instead was in mix of Paclite and ME G2, more of which when the weather gets cooler. But I am interested to know what everyone who did use the stuff made of it (which is why I asked in the first place...) I'm happy to compile those impressions into some sort of editorial summary.
Fwiw I like Paramo a lot for its breathability and lack of condensation, but find it heavy and over-warm for me personally, but I am one of those people who runs quite hot. Also don't like the way it leaks slightly when compressed, eg: if you kneel on it, lean against a rock face or even under pack straps sometimes.
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 No I tested the Aspira smock and I liked it apart from the hood cords weren't restrained in any way and that water was forced through where I was carrying my rucksack!
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 I tried out the windproof trs that Si K tried (the ones that were obviously so efficient that he thought they were water proof...)
Material: nice drape, very tactile, light in weight. DWR finish coped with all but a torrential downpour; then they clung to my legs and felt clammily uncomfortable, however they dried back out quickly with the wind. In winter the wetting out would be more serious and perhaps hypothermia-inducing. When I sat briefly on a rock they wetted through straightaway at the pressure point.
Features: 3 good sized pockets, 2 with zips, one of the zip tags was in the wrong place under my rucky hip belt and began to get annoying by afternoon. The venting system was excellent, the zips on the legs opened both ways and poppers either side of the knee mean that I could get fresh air to my thighs without revealing 'all'. Double thickness fabric on knees.
Fit: these were men's trs but the elasticated waist meant that they were OK on me, but I would have preferred them one inch shorter in the leg. The cut was slimline, no saggy baggies.
Comfort: Saturday was extremely wet yet quite warm; if I'd worn my normal Berghaus over trs I would have had to keep stopping to take them off because I would be too hot and sweaty; however thanks to the breatheability and the vent system I was able to keep these trs on all day. I wore them next to the skin.
Summary: I liked them. I checked out the price on the web and the RRP is £60. I wouldn't pay that much for a pair of walking trs, but if they were in a sale or if I could have the worn and slightly muddy ones I wore on Saturday at a decent second-hand price I would consider it.
Si also brought along a Lady's Aspira Jkt for me to try but I didn't get it out of the pack as it was far too heavy. I only wear jkts weighing that much in the depths of winter when for survival reasons I have to. On Saturday for most of the time I had on my thin base layer and lightweight jkt as I tend to run hot.
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Thanks folks, any more for any more?
Si(C)
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 I wasn't on this little jaunt, however, I was on Helvellyn on Monday (9th ) with my newly acquired 3rd Element Jacket.
I've been wearing Paramo stuff for a few years now. The weather on Monday was the worst that I've encountered wearing Paramo. Very windy and wet. I think I reached the limit of where Paramo is useful (5 hour continuous rain). Although I wasn’t cold, I was damp and I wouldn’t have wanted to be out much longer.
The main problem with Paramo is where it presses against rucsac surfaces that wick. This is particularly a problem in the hipbelt and shoulder strap area. Water seems to wick onto the base layer (a Paramo Trail shirt) and spread from there.
On the 3rd Element Jacket, I like the versatility, but the Velez is a much better jacket (better venting, pockets better protected against water, better fitting). I was also wearing the Fuera Wind Trousers which totally wetted out and were no good. I’ll take light overtrousers next time.
I’ll still take my Velez out but I’m tempted to buy one of the new high breathability Gore-Tex jackets coming out next year for really bad weather.
The real success was my new Deuter Futura 28 rucsac, more of which anon.
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 I'm amazed at this response. Yes the Paramo Jackets and trousers may be a little too hot on occasion, but having an opersational life of 5 hours in rain! Not in my experience.
I use complete Paramo system summer and winter and in all conditions, I go all night in the very worst conditions and would not put up with it if it leaked, if you look after it it works very well in my mind.
The Lakes MRT all use, SARDA dog handlers use it all of which are out a long time in the very worst conditons surewly that must speak volumes about how well paramo systems work?
I've never had it come through on pack straps although when kneeling with a casulty for a LONG time it has come through the trousers, howver as soon as you start moving it pumps out and you are dry again. In the worst of rain, all jackets will get you wet to some degree, it comes in the kneck, cuffs , hems and when you stratch your nose it gets in, Paramo on the other hand pumps it back out again, something which Gortex can NOT do.
I have a garage full of Gortex and I only ever use it when my Paramo is in the wash.
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Yup - the reviews seem to be "biased". I agree with Guy. Paramo kit is the most effective water/moisture management system around. I was out for 4 hours on Sunday in constant rain. It was the first time I had used my Paramo Alta. It was fantastic and was not heavy, not too warm and definitely not leaky.
I had Rohan Dry Bags on me lower bits and wished they had some venting at times so it looks as if the Cascada trousers (as well as a large red Taiga) are on me shopping list.
Gore-tex is ok if your going to be standing around stationery for a long time. So if your fishing or hunting (standing around for a long time) then Gore stuff may be ok - even then I would prefer a poncho. Otherwise Paramo kit rules!
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 Look...I didn't wear any Paramo, but I did have to pick up the jacket that Dave had been wearing when he'd dropped it in the boot of my car.
It was sodden through and was increadably heavy.
That said, my own waterproof (a MHW Conduit) was soaked and weighed a ton too.
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As I said earlier I liked the Jacket!
BUT: The hood draw cords were not restrained and the jacket seemed to leak around the shoulders straps of my daysak!
Also my back was wet but that was probably from sweat from my daysack's back system!
But all in all quite a nice jacket!
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Guy just out of interest which paramo jacket do you use?
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I should add for balance to my post that I don't think the other paramo gear is any better than the competition, the base layers and fleece all are fine, but the waterproof gear is far superior than the rest. In my very humble but warm and dry opinion.
ps and yes the jackets do get wet on the outside, but who cares about the outside it's the hunky bit inside that I want to keep dry.
pps as I'm being all balanced I should also add that yes the gear is warm and so you do have to rethink your layering system, I use the valez as my fleece layer and then pack accordingly. I shall also use my new Aspira Jacket likewise when it arrives and my alta the same. The Cascarda trouser I wear most but also have the Alta trouser which is superb for ice and snow work, although the padding does make it look like you have a nappy on.
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Sorry David our posts overlapped I use:
The Valez Smock as my normal everyday jacket, I don't use the hood as I use a waterproof hat ( Lowe Apline mountain Hat) as it helpd with communication when with groups or on rescue, I think if the valez had a weak point it would bethe hood, but to be honest it was designed for use on Mountain bikes when a hood is of little use anyway.
I also use the Alta Jacket as my heavy weight winter jacket.
I am waiting to receive the new Aspira Jacket when it lands in the UK, I was lucky enough to try this out for them earlier in the year and it is great, as leight as a Gortex with waterproof zipa a superb hood and mountaineering cut allowing use with a harness.
Trousers I use the Cascarda' s and the Altas depening on the weather.
I also own a pair of Mayon trouser and the paremta reversable smock, but to be honest use them down the pub and not much on the fell!
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Baga, why must everything that doesn't praise Paramo as the best thing ever be biased. For a definition of biased, perhaps you might wan to read som of YOUR postings on the subject?
I tried the Velez, I liked it.
Even with the fact that if you stuck your elbow in wet ground the water went STRAIGHT THROUGH. Yep, with a BRAND NEW JACKET.
Dave O's Aspira did not seem waterproof to me, but I wasn't wearing it so I haven't made comment, thats up to Dave to do.
Same with the trousers that Simon K wore, they also seemed to be awfully soaked through for waterproof trousers, but again, I can't make informed comment as I wasn't wearing them.
Do us all a favour and change the record.
Si(C)
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Guy, I liked the Velez a lot, yes its a bit havier than say, a buffalo windshirt and P100 fleece, but I was comfy leaving it on all day and it kept my top half dry as well.
Have you used the Aspira smock? It looks like a great bit of kit for winter, but at the weekend didn't SEEM waterproof, in that it SEEMED to let in water where it was put under pressure by pack straps etc. Whats your experience (if any) of this?
Cheers,
Si(C)
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 Someone mentioned a paramo sale -
www.eryr-evans.co.uk I think could be the one.
I think the loss of blood may be causing Baga to rant a bit though...
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