 Hi, Is a feura smock made of the same material as a aspira. If so why is the feura described as windproof and the aspira waterproof. Could I nikwax the feura to make it more waterproof and use it as a winter windshirt and waterproof.
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 The Aspira is a waterproof using Nikwax Analogy Directional fabric - it has a microfibre outer layer backed by a bulkier layer which is the pump liner part. The outer is windproof and breaks the force of the rain. The inner pump liner moves moisture outwards away from the body. Together they are effectively waterproof (and highly breathable, better than any membrane fabric). The Fuera is essentially the same outer layer but does not have the pump liner, so it is windproof but NOT waterproof. It is very breathable, and will cope with some rain or moisture (quite a lot as it happens) but it is not intended to be waterproof. You can proof the Fuera with Nikwax TX-Direct to improve its water-repellency even further, but it will still not be truly waterproof (although many people here seem happy to settle for it instead of a fully waterproof jacket in summer - there are pro's and cons). And if you team the Fuera with the Paramo fleece (Taiga?) then that effectively becomes the pump liner and makes a combination equivalent to a Nikwax Analogy waterproof - but the fleece is pretty heavy. Again some people achieve something very similar using other lighter versions of Paramo mid-layers, but Paramo do not claim these combinations to be as effective. Some folk on here have experimented a lot and may well comment (Parky!!!  ) Hope that helps a bit. Edit: I have both the Aspira and Fuera. I use the Fuera year-round as a windshirt, and it often delays significantly the point at which I'll reach for the waterproof, but personally I never rely on it as a waterproof - I have tried this and on a couple of particularly foul occasions I ended up soaked!!
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| Edited: 07/01/08 20:08 |
 The Fuera's a lighter fabric than the Aspira, in effect it's just the windproof outer from the directional system used by the Aspira without the pump liner, so it's less warm and is windproof rather than waterproof. You can certainly improve water resistance up to a point by using TX10 or similar, but it will only be water resistant not waterproof. If you team a Fuera with a Taiga fleece from Paramo, you will have a waterproof combination however, it'll form the equivalent of an Analogy system. The Aspira also has a better hood - helmet compatible - and more features like pockets and vents. Hope that makes sense
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Hi Jon and Matt How does the Taiga fleece make the combination waterproof. I run fairly warm and just normally wear a Berghaus tech t under a Montane Lite-speed.If I have to put the waterproof on which is a Craghopper event coat I am usually lathered.I wore this combination in the Cheviots on Saturday and I just got a away with it because of the freezing winds. I usually carry a extremely light fleece.I tried this on Sunday in the Yorkshire Dales with the tech t and the windshirt and was far to hot.Would the Velez Adventure smock make a better choice or am I confusing the issue.The bottom line is I am sick putting layers on and off and would like to carry less.
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| Edited: 07/01/08 20:51 |
The particular construction of the Taiga fleece gives it properties similar to the pump liner element of a Paramo waterproof, so team it with the Fuera and you've effectively created the same system as the waterproofs use. However the fleece is very warm and you'd have to be someone who runs cold to want to do it. I know MoS has just started trying this system in the last 2 or 3 weeks as she does run cold - we haven't encountered any really heavy rain yet while we've been out but so far it's kept her dry and comfortable. Personally I know it would be way too warm a set-up for me!
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 the taiga has a "fleece" outer (well, a fluffy bit) and a pump liner inner. which makes it warmer than a normal paramo waterproof. the price differential is a bit of a giveaway for the fuera/aspira. with your description it's difficult to give advice. one of the difference between paramo and event/goretex is that you don't get a build up of warm/hot moist air inside which makes you feel "warm". rather, any "warm" inside paramo is as a result of insulation only i.e. not full of warm/hot moist air. this gives a feeling of feeling ok. the other thing you need to get your head around is paramo is the equivalent of a thin fleece and windshell which happens to keep you dry. ergo, don't think of it as a waterproof that you keep in your bag until it rains. you wear the stuff all the time (although there are those that carry it as a waterproof). if you are comfortable in a thin baselayer, thin fleece and windproof shell then you'll be ok.
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 From what I was told recently (be it right or wrong but makes sense weight wise) the Fuera jacket has taped seams so when teamed with the Tiaga is water proof. The fuera peak and smock are not taped and hence not totally water proof although still quite good.
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No taping on any Paramo seams, certainly not on any of my Aspira Smock, Aspira Salopettes, Velez smock, Cascada Trousers (all waterproof) or Fuera smock (windproof) It just doesn't work that way, as Parky suggested it's not like other waterproofs.
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Well they only recommend the jacket over the Tiaga and not the peak or smock to be water proof. So what ever the reason, I don't know.
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I'm sure the jacket isn't taped, and it's the same fabric as the Fuera smock. I think they recommend it with the Taiga because of the design, i.e both have front zips, and the Fuera jacket has pocket openings to allow access to the Taiga pockets. You could get the same weatherproofing using the Fuera smock but you wouldn't get quite the same convenience.
The waterproofing comes because the weave of the fleece (or the pump liner in the waterproof jackets) mechanically moves water outwards (the 'analogy' in the name is with the way animal fur by it's shape plus a water-repellent waxy coating keeps water away from the animal's skin). The outer fabric serves to break the force of water hitting it, and prevent the inner becoming overloaded, part of which it achieves via a tight weave (hence windproof too) and partly by the application of TX-Direct so that much water beads and runs off - the lining then takes care of the rest. Taping isn't required in this system, in fact I suspect it may even be detrimental to its performance.
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there are two different fuera jackets. the jacket which goes with the taiga fleece and comes with an analogy hood - it allows direct access to the taiga's pockets. it is for this reason they recommend it and explains the price difference. the peak jacket is the jacket version of the fuera smock. you could wear a peak jacket or smock over a taiga no problem as it's the same material. what you would forgo is direct access to the taiga's pockets and a waterproof hood - the peak jacket/smock hood is not remotely waterproof. no paramo has taped seams because they don't need taped seems. they are "waterproof" in that they keep you dry rather than preventing water getting in. the latter keeps you dry from rain but is appallingly bad at letting inside sweat out whereas paramo lets internal moisture out very easily and hence you feel more comfortable. (assuming you get on with paramo in the first place. mainly due to can you move your mind set into a bit of lateral thinking and throw away what you "think" a waterproof is)
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| Edited: 07/01/08 23:07 |
