Paramo Velez

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Arranwalker
26/11/2008 at 21:02
Having spent time reading various reports,i decided to purchase a velez.I wore it last weekend and although i run a little hot i found my self cold in this garment.I wore a Berghaus long sleeve base layer under the velez.What do other users wear under their velez.I was on the moors above Lancaster.
Metric Kate
26/11/2008 at 21:04

A Berghaus long-sleeved base layer.

I run very hot though.

Matt C
26/11/2008 at 22:02
Often just a baselayer, but if I need more then it's probably a Powerstretch-Lite top as mid-layer. I was out in the Peak District last Saturday with that combination and I was plenty warm enough while moving, in fact I had the vents and sleeves open except when directly into the wind.
mickey mouse
26/11/2008 at 23:34
I use a Paramo Explorer shirt. Either the standard version or the light one. I was out last week in 60mph winds, windchill -15C according to MWIS. I was toasty the whole day. Nothing under the Explorer shirt, btw, straight on the skin. I find the Velez the best all-rounder, actually. The side zips vent great and it can cope with rain and wind no problem. When it gets too hot, I exchange it for the Fuera smock. Haven't found a better combination for winter hill-walking.
Peter Clinch
27/11/2008 at 09:04

I was out last week in 60mph winds, windchill -15C

Actually a bit of a moot point inside a windproof shell, which is of course why you're wearing one.  The ambients, humidity and amount of direct sun is what will mainly determine how hot your body is feeling.

(wife usually wears a microgrid shirt under her Velez, IIRC)

Pete.

Martin Carpenter
27/11/2008 at 11:06

I've been wearing a kinetic - as a warm base layer - under my glamaig (very similar to Velez) my last couple of times out. Quite similar warmth to an explorer I suppose but fits me!

Not quite enough warmth for me when standing around on a cold, windy morning but fine when not walking too fast(with a group). Impressively also didn't feel hot when I went flat out up the hill at one point.

The level of insulation that  you've got on your legs does can quite a difference too of course. I've had the matching trousers on these times.

I have actually got slightly cold in it with a merino base layer under and terras on my legs a couple of months back. But that was while moving slowly (group again) in between clinging to rocks to avoid being blown over by gusts of wind. Really not amusing conditions

mickey mouse
27/11/2008 at 18:53
Well, I was out today again in conditions similar to last week. Again, according to MWIS windchill was -18. And pace Pete, after I had stopped (too long) for lunch at the Glas Maol cairn and started walking again in the stiffened wind, I was indeed cold for a while, even though I had put on a Fuera smock and a Rab Generator vest over the Velez smock, the wind was quite brutal by then and I was getting covered in icy snow powder and it's always amazing how quickly one gets chilly in those conditions (I mean, when you go back into the wind after a stop). I had the TN superlight bothy-bag but didnae bother take it out for my lunch. That's for wusses, I thought. Aye right. But on the way up I was never cold in the Velez + Explorer combo. And Martin's right about having the right trousers (Aspira sallies today). And a hat is a must too (cold feet, cover you head, that sort of thing).
Tony Meehan 2
27/11/2008 at 20:15
I prefer my old heavier Aspira for winter in the hills rather than my old velez which I find barely adequate, and the newer lighter velez---well, whats sacrificed for the reduced weight?
mickey mouse
27/11/2008 at 20:20
I agree, Tony. But for day trips this time of year, the Aspira is overkill. Although today I could have done it with it...
Arranwalker
27/11/2008 at 21:24
Hi Walter,is the explorer shirt much thicker than a standard base layer.And if so is it like wearing a thin fleece.I am new to paramo gear and what to wear with it.
mickey mouse
27/11/2008 at 21:38
Hi John, yes, the explorer shirt is precisely like a sort of thin fleece. The light version is a thick base layer instead! I try not to mix 'n match gear. When I use the Montane Extreme Smock I usually wear the Montane Bionic shirt as a base layer, for instance. But when I wear Paramo jackets, I'll have a Paramo base layer, the Cambia or the Mountain-Vent in early autumn, and the Explorer in wintry weather. I think you need a substantial base layer for the Paramo jackets to work well. As long as you're on the move, the Velez smock + Explorer combo can really cope with a fair amount of weather. I know it means extra money, but I think that things like Buffalo and Paramo really need to be taken as integral clothing systems, and not things that you mix with other stuff you've already got. Ours is an expensive hobby, I'm afraid.
Rancid
27/11/2008 at 22:05

"Ours is an expensive hobby, I'm afraid."

There's no need for it to be!  The hills are there for all - even Aldi clad people!

Muzza
27/11/2008 at 23:00

just backing up what the others say. I've used the velez with a Paramo trail shirt (similar weight to the explorer) in pretty horrendous conditions twice in the last week (Ben wyvis last THursday and cairngorm today). (50+ wind temps around -2 and driving rain and snow). On the move on the way up definetly warm enough. It does get a bit cold when you stop. I take a Torres smock as my warm layer. Throw it on when stopped and I was comfortable. I had a fuera for back up today in the Gorms. I just threw it on at the summit as I had shelter behind the weather station. I kept it on on the way down head on into 50-60mph wind. Warm with out feeling hot.

I have found the Velez and my Viento quite cold when wearing for leisure use in cold weather. I think you need to be working quite hard to get the best out of it. 

mickey mouse
27/11/2008 at 23:10
Hi Muzza, looks like you're another Thursday guy... I always go out on a Thursday myself and this past couple of weeks we got the worst of the weather up here.

It's interesting that our experiences with the Velez in the same conditions match perfectly.

I too used to take a Torres smock as backup, and I found that with that on top of the Alta II you could really walk against the fiercest of wind. Nothing goes through a Torres. I'm now risking just the Fuera and a Rab Generator to cut down on weight and space in the pack. In the weeks ahead, however, I think the Torres will go back in the pack again.

But to go back to John's original point, as long as you're on the move the Velez teamed up with a good base layer is perfectly adequate. Glad your experience matches mine on that score.

I could see the 'Gorms today around lunchtime, before the clag came down again. It looked fairly blustery, but with a good amount of sunshine and good visibility?
GOF
27/11/2008 at 23:21

Cant say I agree with Walter about being a brand bunny!  I tend to mix and match as I feel fit.

I have a Velez (10 years )and an Aspira (4 years) (yes, but of overkill, but I was given the Velez and bought the Aspira for £65....OK) and find the Velez is cooler than the Aspira......but only a bit.

My layering tends to be 

base layer - usually long sleeved...only short sleeved when the forecast indicates that I'll be like this all day !  Base layer - ASDA special £3......

Cooler weather - a Trax shirt I've had for donkeys (its like a vapour rise) - bought for £5 out of a bargain bin. Actually, I carry it all the time as its great even in summer.

Cold weather - 100 weight fleece or a Paramo Explorer over the base layer

And the Velez or Aspira on top of that lot if need be. What I do like the Aspira for is it is a touch longer, a touch warmer and a touch more water resistant.   But I was out with my daughter at the weekend - she had two base layers and the Velez on and was quite happy (and she runs cold).  I had a base layer and Aspira only....and was very happy!  MWIS indicated -16 in the wind.

 But here is a thing - I have found (for me anyway) the key is my head and neck. Keep my head warm and use a fleece buff and I am usually happy......

GOF
mickey mouse
27/11/2008 at 23:27
Your mix sounds a good one, Simon!

I only meant the brand thingie for winter, when you really want to get the max out of your jacket, and my thinking is: if you buy the base layer designed by the guys who designed the jacket you stand a better chance of getting things working right. In summer you can get away with loads of variation, but in winter I prefer to play safe... But your mix sounds perfectly all right to me, nothing wrong with a bargain...

As a baldie, I agree 100% about keeping the head warm, makes all the difference to being toasty...
GOF
27/11/2008 at 23:59

Ha Walter.....got you now LOL

When I got the Velez I got some advice from the Paramo HO as what to wear underneath ( this was before they  did their own base layers).....the personal recomendation from their member of staff was  - Regatta base layer....!

Actually, the truth is whatever works for you and what you are happy with....is fine by me!  I appreciate your point about matching concepts and designs making sense...and it does in many ways, just making the point that (in my view) that sometimes the benefit is way outweighed by the cost.

Horses for courses I guess.

From one slaphead to another......

GOF
Nigel Healy
28/11/2008 at 07:58
John Eaton wrote (see)
Having spent time reading various reports,i decided to purchase a velez.I wore it last weekend and although i run a little hot i found my self cold in this garment.I wore a Berghaus long sleeve base layer under the velez.What do other users wear under their velez.I was on the moors above Lancaster.

 Sounds like you bought a Velez recently, Paramo did lighten the design to minimise insulation, to counter a common "too warm" complaint. For this time of year, a Velez over a thin baselayer risks being too cold. I would recommend a Paramo Explorer AND a Paramo Torres gillet for walking. You would wear the Explorer cool-side when ascending, Velez vents-open, and then layer the Torres at the top if required. On descent, keep Velex vents-closed and in the evening reverse the Explorer and then layer as required.

Nigel Healy
28/11/2008 at 08:03
Peter Clinch wrote (see)

I was out last week in 60mph winds, windchill -15C

Actually a bit of a moot point inside a windproof shell, which is of course why you're wearing one.  The ambients, humidity and amount of direct sun is what will mainly determine how hot your body is feeling.

(wife usually wears a microgrid shirt under her Velez, IIRC)

Pete.


Disagree - no such thing as a totally windproof. The windspeed being higher bellows the windproof and reduced the insulative effect. So if its it windier, the windproof is cooler.

So layering of wind-resistant to trap air.

Mikel von Dundeeski
28/11/2008 at 09:29
Nigel Healy wrote (see)
Peter Clinch wrote (see)

I was out last week in 60mph winds, windchill -15C

Actually a bit of a moot point inside a windproof shell, which is of course why you're wearing one.  The ambients, humidity and amount of direct sun is what will mainly determine how hot your body is feeling.

(wife usually wears a microgrid shirt under her Velez, IIRC)

Pete.


Disagree - no such thing as a totally windproof. The windspeed being higher bellows the windproof and reduced the insulative effect. So if its it windier, the windproof is cooler.

So layering of wind-resistant to trap air.

Garments can be totally windproof. The bellows effect is something totally different.

So you're trying to say a windproof outer shell is cooler than a non-windproof outer shell, in high winds? Nonsense.

 

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