The smock version of Paramo's mountaineering-friendly Aspira reviewed.
Paramo Aspira Smock -
Tested
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Price:
£275 RRP
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Weight: 890
grammes (medium)
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Features:
Mountaineering Smock made from Nikwax Analogy fabrics, higgh-volume
adjustable hood with wired peak, reversed zips, twin fast access chest
pockets, articulated sleeves and shoulders, upper arm vents, front twin
zip venting option, multi-adjust cuff design, two internal dry pockets,
2" drip skirt and scooped tail, removable foam inserts in back,
reflective piping front and rear. Also available in women's version.
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What's It
For?
A smock version of Paramo's Aspira jacket, the Aspira Smock is designed
as a full-on mountaineering garment with a high-volume adjustable hood
capable of accommodating a climbing helmet and a cut that's generous
enough to allow additional mid-layers in really cold
conditions.
The Techy
Bits
Like all Paramo's waterproof garments, the Aspira uses the Nikwax
Analogy system rather than a waterproof membrane or coating. That means
there's an outer layer of DWR-treated, windproof and water-resistant
polyester teamed with an inner 'pump liner' that moves water away from
the body.
The combination is effectively waterproof, but also very breathable
with minimal condensation issues. Other plus include a soft feel and
lack of crisp-packety rustling, which makes the brand popular with bird
watchers, and ease of repair if it is cut torn. For some users though,
the additional insulation provided by the pump liner makes Paramo too
warm except in very cold conditions.
As far as the design goes, Paramo has incorporated both trunk and upper
arm vents, reversed the zips for durability and incorporated a
roll-away helmet-compatible hood to suit mountaineers and climbers.
There are also foam strips slotted into the back of the jacket which
sit under a pack.
How It
Performed
Paramo's a bit like Marmite, you'll either love it or hate it and the
crux of it generally depends on how warm you run - fast-moving hotties
often find the Analogy system too warm even in quite cool conditions,
but those who run cooler, love it for its comfort and excellent
breathability.
As it happens, we've mostly been using the Aspira Smock in conditions
around freezing and below and in comfort terms, it's been excellent.
Worn alone over a baselayer, we've had no condensation issues and have
kept dry and comfy with help from the upper arm vents - well out of the
way of pack straps - the easy to use front vents, which work perfectly
with pack or harness, and roll-uppable sleeves.
The little bit of extra warmth has actually been quite welcome, though
in warmer weather, it might have proved too much. We like the soft,
quiet nature of the fabric and the hood fits well, is easy to adjust
and also works fine with a helmet, though the front shockcord felt a
little stretchy to us.
The cut is very generous, none of your pared-down, elite mountain
athlete, form-hugging fit here, instead you get ample room to add a
mid-layer of your choice or simply to drink lots and lots of beer. It's
also reasonably long for some added crotch protection and a drop-tail
shields your butt from the elements.
The trade-off is a weight of almost 900 grammes for a medium. That's
around twice what some modern lightweight alpine shells weigh and means
that you probably won't be removing the Aspira and stowing it in your
pack, or at least not without noticing it. How hot do you run? If
you're the sort of person who walks in to Scottish winter routes in a
baselayer top and fleece pants, it might be a factor.
That's the nature of the beast though. Generally the design does work
well, the vents feature press studs to stop them billowing open and we
like Paramo's easy to use and unique cuff adjustment system, just pull,
then double back to Velcro the flap down.
And the fabric is easy to look after, won't leak if you puncture it and
can simply be sewn up if cut. Bear in mind that it will leak if you,
say, lean against a very wet surface allowing pressure to force liquid
through the fabric. In practice, you soon learn to avoid such scenarios
when possible.
In cold - freezing and below - conditions, we found the Aspira Smock
spot on for both comfort and protection. The combination of the Nikwax
Analogy fabrics and good venting options meant we could stay
comfortable with no condensation issues. We know from previous
experience though, that we tend to overheat in Paramo kit when the
going's a little warmer thanks to the extra insulation from the pump
liner, so that's worth bearing in mind if you do run hot.
On our averagely athletic sort of build, the cut was a little over
generous and flappy, but technically the features on the jacket all
worked well enough and the cut did give the option of adding a
mid-layer of your choice. If you want a lighter, more stowable option,
take a look at the Velez Smock and in particular the new Velez Light,
which launches fully in early 2009.
That has a hood that works better than the removable one on the
standard Velez and though it won't cope with a helmet quite as
well as the one on the Aspira, it will manage it okay.
Overall, a superb cold weather mountain top, albeit a slightly heavy
one. Feels protective and confidence inspiring, with a high level of
condensation-free comfort.
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 High comfort and
protection levels coupled with functional features.
 Warm, a little
heavy and cut a little on the generous side for some users. Not cheap
either.
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Performance
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Value
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