We are not trying to take the P**S with this one - i.e. the Torres Smock and Gilet. Yes, we know that they are synthetic Insulation Garments and the idea has been around for ages - so why are we doing them. Beacause our consumers and colleagues have asked for them but using our designs and fabrics - most of us here have a 'Duvet' jacket/smock/gilet or two but durability has often been an issue with the super light weight fabrics along with some other niggles.
The differences with ours are that they are designed specifically to be worn over shell/ Outer garments and not just as a high performance fleece replacement also not exactly new but this is our version which we are very happy with. The inner fabric is pretty heavy duty so that you are less likely to get excessive wear if it's rubbing against old and tatty zip pullers etc and kit you have around your body (like slings and old binners). It's also quite smooth feeling to make it easier to pull on and off.
The rationale behind a smock as opposed to a jacket is to remove the problem of trying to put fiddly zips together of a bulky garment with cold hands - difficult for some of us.
The Torres smock easily goes over a Black Diamond Half Dome helmet (with Petzl Head torch) and various climbing tat when I'm taking my turn to belay in winter/crappy weather. The outer fabric is the same as used in our Waterproof and windproof ranges and seems to last pretty well when leaning against our more abrasive rocks etc. All the test garments are looking pretty good after some serious abuse. The gilet is more of a 'regular' garment but utilising the fabric advantages that we believe we have.
The marketing is aimed at people who may not spend time in forums and reading up on the latest tech specs, have perhaps experienced the limitations of fleece and want something else - not everyone finds it obvious / natural to put a warming garment over a waterproof. We have a healthy following within the walking/ rambling / dog walking and now bird watching markets of which using the mammal analogy may help to show why it works diffently to a fleece.
In short these are two garments proving a good level of insulation whether you're in a bird watching hide or on a belay ledge during our predominatly crappy weather. And both garments are designed to last. I'd really welcome any feedback. The garments will be in the shops for early September - Rob Cook (Páramo Sales & Marketing)
Posted: 09/08/2006 at 09:27
