Paramo Fuera Peak Jacket Tested

Paramo Fuera Peak Windproof Jacket Tested

The Fuera Peak Windproof Jacket is, as you might expect, a windproof jacket. Paramo says it's a multi-activity sort of fella designed for 'temperate days when breathability and flexibility are more important than total waterproofing'.

Because the Nikwax Windproof fabric has been treated with TX Direct it does have some water-repellancy, but it's NOT a waterproof and isn't intended to cope with more than light showers.

You could also - it says here - combine it with a Paramo fleece mid-layer to create a 'fully Directional waterproof system', though the combination would be warm and Paramo's web site suggests that it's best teamed with a Cambia baselayer or directional shirt.

As you might guess from the name, the Fuera Peak's a relation of the Fuera Smock and, as you might expect, it's a no-nonsense, windproof jacket made from a closely woven Polyester fabric with a Nikwax TX water-resistant treatment that you'll need to renew from time to time to keep water resistance up.

There's nothing particularly revolutionary here - you get chest pockets, two-way zip, a hood with a wired peak and simple adjuster and so on.

Paramo touts the Fuera Peak as 'lightweight', but let's be honest, when there are waterproof shells out there weighing less than 200 grammes, 330 grammes for a windproof is more middleweight and indeed, compared to the ultra-lightweight stuff out there, the Fuera does feel quite robust and pack friendly despite its multi-activity tag. For reference, the Fuera Smock weighs a claimed 290 grammes.

The weight's not really helped by a cut that's quite loose and unformed in a slightly sack-like way. Figure-hugging it isn't, but at least it gives plenty of room for layering underneath or to accommodate the fuller figure. The colour scheme on our test jacket - washed-out orange and grey - was a bit of throwback to the dark days of early 90s Buffalo tops as well. Other clunkiness includes the massively unsubtle bolted-on reflective piping front and rear.

None of that prevents the jacket from doing a decent job as an all-round mountain windproof. For fast-moving use like running and biking, it all felt a bit loose and flappy, but for hill and mountain walking, it works okay.

The fabric's windproof and stands up to the odd shower just fine and is as breathable as any other windproof fabric out there. The loose-fitting sleeves roll up for quick forearm ventilation and a two-way main zip also allows venting, though it would have been nice to have a popper to hold the bottom end together in use.

What else? The hood is simple but works well for showers and extra windproofing for your noggin with a simple wired peak keeping drips out of your eyes. Twin chest pockets take maps and are well clear of pack belts, but sit a little high for use as handwarmers unless you're a squirrel.

Its real strength is as an all-round hill and mountain walking and backpacking windproof where it feels tough and resistant to pack abrasion, but still packs reasonably small. It also scores with decent, renewable water resistance and a handy hood.

We didn't like the looks or the cut, which we found made it hopeless for running or biking when it just flopped and flapped in the wind and we can't really see that it has many advantages over the Fuera smock which is 40 grammes lighter and £30 cheaper.

Buy only if you must have a Paramo windproof with full-length zip and twin chest pockets.

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