Schoeller / Mammut Launch Smart Fabrics Black clothing that stays cool in the sun plus a waterproof membrane that changes structure according to temperature...
To those that have experienced it, this will be old hat, but I have now seen the light.
I've been a great fan of Goretex for years, but even I will admit that at the end of a long, rainy day, I was warm and wet on the inside. No more! Last week I was warm and dry on the inside. Conditions in Snowdonia last week were harsh (pouring with rain below about 500m, then hail for about 100m then snow (falling and underfoot)). I tried out my newish Paramo Velez (first time on the hill, but many short trips before this).
After a couple of hours in the pouring rain, I was my usual warm and wet state. Then, by accident, I reached inside the Velez, but outside my windproof jacket. It was bone dry! On a hunch I took off the windproof and within about 20 minutes I was bone dry all the way through (wicking tee-shirt, merino long sleeve top and Velez). Still plenty of water on the outside, but a bone dry me on the inside. Just what you need later in subzero temperatures when I got higher up the hill. This was warm enough for me too, even when walking slowly (nav was getting "interesting") on level ground 200-300m above the snowline in falling snow (visibility was down to about four feet at times - I could see my outstretched hand, but my boots were not clearly visible less than six feet away).
Only time I have ever had the Glyders to myself, discovered a great new walking product and I get full winter days to add to my log too. Life doesn't get much better.
An unexpected bonus came later when I threw the soaked Velez into the back of the car and forgot about it. Next morning, my car windows were all steamed up, but the Velez was magically dry. Even an unlined Goretex jacket would not match that.
If you've ever felt warm and wet in Goretex (et al), try Paramo. It really is as good as they say.
And it's also warm on a warm day when you don't want it to be. Have tried Paramo, bought one of their original Nevada smocks, eventually gave it away. Later had a Third Element on a "try before you buy" over a couple of weeks having been assured it would be much cooler thanks to better venting and airflow. That was in October, and I sent it back after constantly overheating in it.
Pretty much ideal for ski touring, as it's just about right for the -5 to 3 temperature range where it just might be raining or sleet or wet snow that will defeat a soft shell, and I'll ultimately get another (or perhaps a Finisterre, which i like the look (and weight) of more) for that and similar winter days. But as an all season waterproof I have experienced Paramo, and it wasn't actually that great for my particular body and needs.
Pete, I agree with the overheating comments. I tend to run very hot, hence I was walking in snow with only a couple of thin layers under the Velez. It was perfect for that (though in proper Scottish winters I think I would have needed a little more clothing). I suspect in anything above 10C I will be too hot even in just a tee-shirt and with the vents open. But then when it's warm, I worry less about getting wet and tend to keep to soft shells / windproofs long after everyone else has got out the waterproofs.
I'm not anticipating using the Velez from May/June through to end September. Unless it's a particularly cold day with the likelyhood of rain for a lot of the day. Not living close to the hills, I never cancel a trip due to weather (well, I modified a winter Cairngorms day once, when they had 100mph winds on the plateau, so I just limited myself to the 60mph or so winds over Meall a'Bhuachaille). This means I am often out in really poor weather, especially March-April and Oct-Dec times, when I think the Paramo kit will be at its best.
In -6C in the Sierra Nevada (at 2600m), I found the Velez too hot, but it is black and the sun was shining (very brightly!), so that probably was the main reason. I walked around steaming in just teeshirt / longsleeved shirt the whole time there when doing any significant exercise (hillwalking or snowboarding). So temperature is not the only thing you need to worry about.
when conditions allow the velez is almost the perfect softshell. mine had been languishing in the cupboard for a while but it got resurrected for the last two outings due to wind and the forecast. i would have worn a fleece and a windshell if the forecast didn't include rain. saturday paid off well with proper rain/hail/sleet and all combinations thereof coming down from the vertical to near horizontal.
the side vents are a boon allowing the leeward vent to be open. pack belt varied between being fastened outside, through the lower pocket and inside accoridng to how warm i was getting.
the velez was accompanied by my montane atomic waterproof trews which impressed me more than i though they would. however, there was still a lot of condensation inside them. perhaps lower down you just don't notice these things so much as the body.
a zip neck cambia top was under the velez and it was never wet. i got hot a few times, you get hot whatever you wear, but the venting is great. so i was dry warm rather than damp warm.
it won't suit all but on saturday it was perfect. i was glad i remembered the pack liner as everything not in this was very wet.
muzza, have they cured the merapi's belt and knee placement. on the first lot, i take medium, the knee darts were far too low (a cut down pair of long leg ones? and why do these trews need "articulated" knees - to make them outdoorsy?) and just became irritaing after a while. the belt used to ride up at the sides.
I have used a pair of Merapi's since they first came out and have never experienced the belt riding up at the side. Have found them very comfortable and amazingly fast drying. Wait until you see the new Maui cargo trouser, available in a few weeks, unlike the Merapi they come in waist sizes and different leg lengths, lots of pockets and a more durable material. Looking forward to trying them out on the hill.
Why do so many people complain about Paramo being too hot in the summer? Of course it is. It is Winter gear, no one coat is good for every condition
Also many who say it is too warm wear a fleece underneath, all one needs is a lightweight wicking vest, (or nothing!) The trousers can be vented all the way down, or up
Paramo not for the summer ?Cambia t-shirt under a Nikwaxed pertex windshirt is ideal . And for changeable spring conditions like last sunday i just wear a trail shirt .I do get hot but just five minutes is all it takes to remove any moisture from the inside of the fabric .
As for winter (and any other off the hill times ) my Alta II is perfect.
Why do so many people complain about Paramo being too hot in the summer? Of course it is. It is Winter gear, no one coat is good for every condition
Also many who say it is too warm wear a fleece underneath, all one needs is a lightweight wicking vest, (or nothing!) The trousers can be vented all the way down, or up
As I pointed out, I tried out a 3rd Element in (a not especially warm) Autumn, and found it much too hot. My orginal Nevada smock was worn through the winter, and I often found it much too hot. So I'm complaining about it being too hot for a general purpose waterproof (which it is marketed as, of course) often well outside the summer.
And no, I didn't wear a fleece under it: please credit me with a little sense! The final straw for my Nevada smock was when I wore it MTBing in winter. I was too hot so I opened up the vents, and was still too hot. But the vents did manage to let in a stream of mud which coated my T-shirt and made it rather uncomfortable... so vents arem't all they're cracked up to be either.
I love their reversible shirts, they've been favourites for a few years now. But the waterproof stuff is too limited by its working temperature range for me, not just in the summer.
I have to agree with Peter on Paramo waterproofs. By the time it's cold enough for me to be comfortable in one, I no longer need a waterproof because it's snowing, not raining! And yes, I only wear a thin base layer under it. OK, there are very occasionally conditions wear I can wear mine - if the wind chill makes it feel colder than it is, or it's a very low energy outing (say a gentle amble on the flat). But, much though I would appreciate the breathability, I hardly ever find use for it
hope the answer isn't fleece and windshirt.......or softshell and a hard shell.....
yippee, yet another pair of cargo trousers on the market eh johnny. bloody leg pockets!
how are the knee pleats too? on my medium they were 4cm too low on the leg (compared to where the knee bit is on cascadas and apsria salopettes). shame because they are a fantastic fabric spoilt be making them "outdoorsy" for a travel product. IT'S JUST NOT RIGHT....
I too am a Paramo convert. The wife has had one for 10 years, cant remember the name but its the big, heavy, old one (coat, not wife) and I always thought it too hot and heavy (coat, not wife). Then I saw the Velez Adventure. Thinner, lighter with side vents. I love it. I think the lighter weight extends its temp range but agree its not a summer jacket. So what! Horses for courses. It took a while to suss that only a base layer or two are needed but like the put it on- keep it on system. Only annoying things are the hem drawcords that dangle at your sides. I thread them through the press studs but sometimes forget to. Hey ho,a small price to pay. I also have the reversible shirt which is made with some sort of magic. Warm, cool, windproofish all in one.
Incidentally, did anyone see that in the Trail Gear guide 08 the Paramo jackets are water resistant under the Waterproof section but waterproof under the Softshell section? I realise that its to do with the definitions of waterproof and the way Paramo works but from now on I'll be wearing mine as a softshell so it will be waterproof.
Mention of the Velez Adventure reminded me of the one great bug bear I have with the Velez: the bloody hood. On the Adventure it is nicely fixed to the jacket (but that only comes in black and grey, not pure black, so it was out ). For the standard Velez it is either nicely poppered away or hanging loose. If poppered away, it is a real pain to get the hood out and use as it seems to require the same poppers as used to keep it tidy. If you know what I mean (and if you have a Velez, I think you do). As an actual hood, it is quite good, not Mountain-Equipment-damn-good good, but better than many I have used, but the performance to get it ready to use means I prefer to use a large brimmed hat and leave the hood poppered away for a real emergency.
Or have I missed something with my otherwise first rate smock?
