Im interested in buying one of the jackets mentioned and know they are both very good.

I was wondering which one was better for the price and if the aspira's hefty price tag was justified over the cheaper velez.

I have an 8 year old Aspira Smock and a 1 year old Velez and they're both excellent, but I reckon it depends what you want to do in it. If you want a full-on winter mountain jacket then the Aspira is probably the better choice (more protective hood, longer length at front, extra pockets). If you want a more multi-purpose jacket that you could also use for things like cold-weather mountain-biking etc. then the shorter Velez might be better.

Oh, and, if it matters, you'll struggle to get a climbing helmet under a Velez hood.

I've got a Velez and thought it was good but a little short. Then I saw an Aspira in Go Outdoors for £100 (last years model but I've still got last years body) so I've now got both.

Personally I think the Aspira is better, the hood is bigger and fixed (though there is a new Velez model with fixed hood) and the vents in the arm do help.

I don't think I'd pay the full price for an Aspira but Go Outdoors and Stuart Cunningahm do discount them (GO = £220). The other thing to consider is the Outdoors show at the NEC (16th -19th March) last year Paramo was one of the only stands selling their kit at a discount for the show.

One last point my Velez is a medium and the Aspira's a small but the Aspira still feels a bit bigger (no doubt to allow extra layers for hard winter use) so if ordering online bear that in mind.

I've got both , but the aspira is a full zip version team issue so it doesn't really compare to the over the head valez.

That said I use my valez a lot , BUT i am desperately trying to convince myself that I need the new version valez adventurous which has a fixed hood and a slightly longer back, that seems to answer all my minor concerns witht the valez.

Its cheaper than the Aspira too!

Only problem is I have four Apsira Jackets ( don't ask ! ) and two Valez smocks so another Paramo might be overkill.

i bought a Velez but was horrified to discover that the handwarmer pockets are only available when the side vents are open.

how mad is that?

sent it back and got a Viento.

Are there hand warmer pockets on the Viento? I unzip the side and poke my hands in. Have i missed a pocket?

As for the Velez, i've been taking it out in really really foul conditions recently and it simply didn't perform as well as the viento my mate was borrowing, or the alta he then went out and bought on the strength of the Viento.

Velez is a nice jacket, but it's a tad short (and i find i get difficulty keeping my baselayer in my trousers too which doesn't help. The merino top seems better in this respect). It is also an absolute pain to close the front of the hood with little poppers in the cold wearing gloves. The fixed hood models allow you to pull the zip up and the hood is then on. Lot less hassle.

Thanks for the quick response guys

Having read what you have to say ill probably go with the velez due to its price and versatility.

Just how short is the velez cut? Im 6ft tall and usually take a large. Im hoping to buy online because there cheaper, should i try one on first to make sure it fits ok?

I'm also 6ft tall and about a 39 or 40" chest and went for a Large Velez which is a pretty good fit. I rarely wear anything except a baselayer under it but there would be room for a fleece or similar.
Length at the back is fine because the hem is scooped. At the front I reckon it's maybe 2 to 3 inches above the top of my legs, or a similar amount below my trouser waistband! I don't find that a problem because autumn to spring I'm typically wearing the excellent Cascada trousers with it.

Edit: My Aspira is Large too and also fits well, but it's older and I suppose it's possible the Aspira sizing might have changed over time.

Cheers Matt, i also wear the Cascada trousers from autumn to spring which as you say are excellent. I currently wear a number of jackets (buffalo fell jacket, ME mountain windstopper,and montane prism) over a baselayer but fancy a change and paramo seems the way to go as its just so versatile.

I really like the Valez and its probably the most used top I have, that said the new version looks better and only a tad more pricey so if I was in the market for a replacement I would go for the new one rather than the Valez normal

I like the fact that the classic velez has the detachable hood, as i said above its versatile. The new velez only has the hood so it fits into adventure racing regulations which is fine if thats what your after but i definatly prefer the option of being able to take the hood on and off as and when i need to.

All my Paramo gear is 'large' and feels quite generously cut, the Velez in 'large' feels a close fit and the arms especially so.
It is not really short - it covers my bum, I have the adventure with the fixed hood and usually wear it with (really cold) a Paramo explorer top or (milder) just a T-shirt - with cascada trousers you are totally wind & water proof - great garment of which my only criticism is that I would have prefered the handwarmer pocket to be on the outside.
Paramo seem determined to be obtuse and always do something weird.
My Tiempo fleece & Fuera jacket are designed to be a pair - the pockets though are a mirror image.
My heavy duty Torres (brilliant) smock has the puniest draw cord imaginable on the hood.
My Cascada coat's waist level draw cords always jam the front zip.
My 'one size' balaclava is 'one size' too small.

Organised Chaos

Thats cool then, the only problem I have with the detachable hood is that its popped stud closed not zipped which leaves large gaps around the neck for rain to blow in, this is made worse as the collar and base off hood do not have the pump liner only the outer so they are not technically waterproof in that region.

Also the hood cant be folded away in the collar and attached to the jacket at the same time as it shares pop studs for closure and attachment, which means its easy to loose the hood.

Small points really , and picking holes it what is as superb jacket

Might be worth having a look at furtech - a new paramo-like company

www.furtech.co.uk

Don't know much about them or their gear. but it looks well designed and featured.

I've had my Velez for about a month now and used it for walking and biking, mostly I'm happy with it, its kept the rain and wind out and at the end of the day i've been drier than i would have been with my precip.
the hood, yes that can be a bit of a pain, trying to do the studs up behind your neck in gale force wind and rain is a bit agrivating.

the trouble with the Aspira is i haven't got one - and i can feel that gear monster starting to niggle away in the back of my mind - the gear monster has scant regard for my bank balance

Velez hood tip - I get around the 'popper-sharing' problem quite successfully like this: I leave the hood attached to the jacket with the rearward left and right ones so no problem with losing it or needing to re-attach it in a hoolie. I close the collar down on the rolled hood with the central rear popper only but that keeps it neat enough. I need to fasten the side left and right poppers to the collar when I get the hood out but those are quite easily reachable.

The gear monster got me when CCC had their recent sale and I got both the Velez and the Aspira smock (Paid just over £200 total for both!). Reason I got both is because I do a range of activities from mountain biking to winter climbing and neither jacket would cover all aspects (and because I can't resist a bargain).
I have surprisingly found myself wearing the aspira more than the velez. If the weather is bad the hood on the aspira is superb, and if the bad weather is in for the day its definitely the coat I reach for. I've worn the velez with more of a softshell attitude, on the will it/wont it rain days.

I've recently bought an Aspira jacket (Go Outdoors sale - £110 for last years model) after using a Cascada for years. I was always happy with the hood on the Cascada but I'm blown away by how much better the Aspira hood is! Much more side protection and very comfortable with it's stretchy cords.

A big plus for winter, esp. in this windy weather.

Steve

>> recent sale and I got both the Velez and the Aspira

humph mutter mutter grumble greedy s*d ~ bet he thinks I'm jealous

Unleash the gear monster graham! When I was looking around, whalley warm and dry had the aspira smock for £175. I've also just picked up some aspira trousers for £100 from mountain factor... thats me sorted for winter climbing this year. And skint.