hello there

im after very versatile piece of kit...im looking for some fleece top with hood,,,and all i found good enough is Rab vapour rise jacket or smock   OR  Paramo trekker hoodie or paramo tiempo fleece....

id like to ask if any can help me with deciding which one of these are the best for the most possible conditions outdoor--im talking not about islands conditions: UK,or IRL...im live in Carpatian regions,,middle of slovakia..high mountains

paramo trekker hoodie seems to me the most versatile piece of kit...but id doesnt look like fleece..and maybe wearing the zip next to skin is not something pleasant...looks that its possible to wear like base layer but also like outher layer in warmer days...but is the Rab VR smock or jacket the same..? or any difference between them and paramo..?

and paramo tiempo fleece...maybe too thick for many conditions,,i mean not possibility wearing it next to skin...but looks damm good...but dont know how it performance,,,

any comments will be helpful...

probably ill be first person to buy wear paramo in this region....if ill decide for it,,

thanks

bajkal 

they are three completely different jackets.

the VR is the most versatile as it has a a shell over the "fleece" lining. if RAB sizing fits you.

the hoodie is more of a mid layer.

the tiempo fleece has the shell on the inside - the opposite way round to the VR.

by the way, paramo "fleece" isn't fleece, it is just a brushed surface.

the VR will be the warmest followed by the tiempo then, a long way behind, the hoodie.

Hi Bajkal,

The trekker hoodie can be worn next to the skin as a thick base layer or mid layer. It is made fron the same (slightly lighter) material as the Explorer Pull On, Mountain Vent Pull on and Trail Shirt. Check the review section on these items for an idea of how it performs. Comfortable and excellent at what they do.

The Tiempos not really a fleece in the conventional sense. Detachable hood, good pockets. The inside layer is windproof (the same material that is the outer on their waterproof jackets and that is used in the Fuera range). Personally I would not wear it next to the skin. It was said by Paramo in a thread on here when released to be a very water resistant jacket when treat with the appropriate products but is not sold as waterproof. Certainly seems to be as described.

Rab VR - no personal experience but can be worn next the skin, I believe. Wind resistant (or windproof), not sure which and water resistat too. Very highly regarded by other who post on here.

Just another thought - if your after something something with insulation and weather protection for high mountains the range of Paramo waterproof jackets may be worth considering for the full weather protection (though of course there are many other options available as well)

HTH. 

Trekker hoodie is more suited as a winter mid layer or spring summer outer.

The Tiempo fleece I wear a lot as a winter outer layer it's long and windproof - I carry a superlight Montane Quickfire in case it rains hard.

If I could only choose one top for cold/winter/wind/rain/snow I'd use the Paramo Torres Smock as it'll keep you warm and dry with only a T-shirt under it and has great pockets.

hello

thanx for the answers....

bassically im looking for the most versatile piece of kit....so in that reason i dont know  to decide (as im not owner of paramo or rab..) between paramo trekker or rab VR smock(or jacket variant)....

so im looking for  some practical informations how these two performs in he "field"...

they are both base layers...-not in a common sense but can be used as base or mid layer....and  should handle all but the very worst mountain conditions....

 ...however it looks to me that rab is maybe more suitable for that kind of things,,trekker maybe not with too "strong" outher shell -material.......?

anybody please any personal experiences ?

Hi Bajkal, 

Based upon what you say above I would think the Rab is more suited than the Trekker.

I've no personal experience of the Rab but the Trekker is not a shell garment. It is made to be a reversable base / mid layer. One side of the garment wicks incredibly well. The other side when worn next to the skin is designed to cool you by holding water (sweat) close to the skin to cool you by evaporation. I don't think it will give you as much protection against the elements - wind resistant not windproof and it is not designed to be particularly water resistant. this link will show what the fabric is designed to do.  Parameta S

HTH