Hi

I am looking for a windproof fleece or a soft-shell that can also be worn under my Sprayway Paclite jacket.

Essentially I want a something I can wear 80% of the time when it is not raining that is equally happy beneath a waterproof breathable jacket.

I like the look of the Paramo Fuera Windproof Smock (£40 on GoOutdoors), but will it work fine (breathe/wick etc) beneath a waterproof or should I look elsewhere…

Cheers

Rich

It'll be fine. I've never had any bother when I've put a hard shell over the top.

They can be had for less than £40 btw so it pays to shop around.

HTH

I've never used it under a waterproof but in my opinion if anything will do the job the Fuera will.

I've got a Fuera and a Montane feathrlite smock. The montane is good (near perfect on a long bike ride I did last weekend) but I noticed that the elasticated cuffs can make you feel a little clammy due to the lack of ventilation. The Furea is also more substantial so I feel more "secure" on the hills in it than the montane.

A friend got a grey Fuera from the Coventry Go Outdoors last week for £20 or £25, not sure if they are still available though.

The Fuera is an excellent piece of kit, can be maintained as highly water-repellent using TX-direct wash-in, and it isn't a problem when you put a full waterproof over it. But you mentioned windproof fleece or softshell, both of which would typically provide some insulation as well as windproofing and water-resistance. The Fuera doesn't - so you might want a separate microfleece under it at times.

The Fuera's breathability is far greater than that of the Paclite so the limiting factor will be the Paclite anyway. Fuera smocks are water repellent so wicking is not one of their main functions.

If appears that you're looking for insulation too, which is not the purpose of the Fuera smock. I'd suggest taking a look at the Paramo Tiempo Fleece.

Have a look at the Rab Vapour Rise stuff which is lightly insulated with a Pertex Equilibrium outer. Something like the Trail Top or Trail Jacket would do pretty much exactly what you're looking for and because the outer is highly wind resistant, rather than straight windproof, it's more breathable than closer-woven microfibres like the stuff that Paramo uses for the Fuera.

If you're going to buy Paramo, you might as well buy one of their waterproofs since it'll give you some insulation along with wind and waterproofing. Layer a microfleece underneath if you need additional warmth in cold conditions.

Thanks for the info. I assumed that the Fuera would provide a bit of warmth as that is usually the main criticism of Paramo stuff.

I realise it won’t be as warm as a fleece, but I thought it would be warmer than the usual light weight windproof smocks and shirts. Is this not the case?

i've just bought a fuera smock from gooutdoors which arrived today - it does seem to be far more substantial material than pertex and i bet with a thin microfleece fleece underneath it would be quite warm.

IF the Dave Ellis above is the Paramo expert on this forum and i think he may be...i would listen to him!

good luck

He is!

I'd say that the Fuera is quite warm. I've walked spring/autumn days in great comfort with a Paramo Cambia base layer and a Fuera smock, so that is an alternative you can consider too.

Thanks for the info. I assumed that the Fuera would provide a bit of warmth as that is usually the main criticism of Paramo stuff.

The Fuera is a straight windproof top, it doesn't have any insulation value, what it will do is prevent the warm air trapped next to your body from being swept away by the wind. It doesn't trap warm air within its fibres like a fleece or down or a synthetic like Primaloft, so it won't - in itself - offer any significant insulation other than the benefits from windproofing.

The reason that the waterproof Paramo system is warmer than normal shell clothing is that it has a 'pump liner' which has a secondary effect of trapping air and acting as a thin extra insulation layer. The Fuera doesn't have any such liner which means that it's no warmer or colder than other windproof garments.

The reason I suggested the Rab Vapor Rise or similar is that the wind-resistant shell is supplemented with a thin fleece liner which traps air and works as an insulation layer.

If you want a warmer Paramo garment, your best option is probably one of the waterproof tops, though it'll cost you significantly more than a windproof or shelled fleece / softshell type thing.

Yes, a Fuera over a microfleece would be pretty warm, but there would be no real point in leaving the Fuera on then layering a waterproof shell over the top. If anything I'd expect it to compromise the breathability of the system slightly.

Anyway, hope that makes some sense. I'm not saying that the Fuera isn't a good option btw, just that it's simply a windproof, microfibre smock and a relatively heavy, loose-cut one at that. There's nothing particularly unique or clever about it :-)

I love the Fuera, and have used it very happily under a Paclite jacket, but I agree with Jon that it doesn't add a lot of warmth, as it hs no insulation at all: it's just a windproof (and highly water repellent, if proofed) layer.

If I'm actively cold enough when walking to want to add a layer to warm up then the Fuera isn't what I'd be reaching for.

Not much to add to above really.

Its reasonably thick, so if not warmer, it feels warmer. Especially as it isn't blown against your skin, and is reasonably waterproof. I find it's plenty warm enough this time of year with a base layer.

As for using it with a light 'proof over it, this is the system i used over the weekend, but i didn't have to put the 'proof on over my fuera (thank god).

I got my Fuera smock for £25 from GoOutdoors and it's my 'best buy' this year.
I ride around on the back of a bike with Craghopper zip off trousers, Tshirt, Berghaus Choktoi fleece & the Fuera for when it rains or the wind blows cold.
The Choktoi is handy as it packs inside the helmet and the Fuera packs next to nothing so I can be on the beach in shorts & a 'T' with nothing to carry or ready for a cold squall.
The weather would have to get quite bad for me to wear more than this, possibly just a heavier base layer.
I also bought the Fuera windproof trousers for £25 and they are also really nice - great on their own in summer as they have side vents or over other trousers in the winter.

Fuera smock.  Nice chest pocket thing and no full-length zip.  I just prefer smocks to jackets anyway.

If you want to be warm.
Get a Paramo waterproof (Alta/Viento/Aspira/Velez etc).
Just wear a base layer underneath. They have enough zips & vents to regulate temperature.

Think of the Fuera smock as a Paramo coat without the lining.
Paramo coats are "waterproof" because the lining actively pumps water back out.
Wash the Fuera in TX Direct and you have a pretty waterproof top, put it over one of their Mounatin type shirts and you have the pump lining as well. This is because their Mountain/Explorer tops are similar to the coats lining... spray water on the fleecy side and it disappears to the smooth side leaving the fleecy side dry, spray water on the smooth side and it stays there (so put the fleece next to your skin).



If I know it's cold and wet I wear a Paramo Viento over my Helly or Gill base layer (and a Paramo Mountain shirt if it's very cold).

If I know it's a dry day (or maybe an odd light shower) then I wear my Paramo Mounatin Shirt and put a Montane windshirt and/or a Paramo Fuera smock over it.