Paramo's suprisingly effective but odd insulated sleeves tested.
Paramo Torres Sleeves -
Review
|
Price:
£55
|
|
Weight: 210
grammes
|
|
Features: Windproof, water-resistant
sleeves and yoke filled with Paramo133g Nikwax Insulator
synthetic insulation, elasticated cuffs and adjustable, shock-corded
shoulder apertures.
|
What's Are They
For?
The Torres Sleeves are intended as a lightweight, rapid warmth solution
that can simply be slung over anything ese you're wearing for a quick
dose of insulation.
Technical
Lowdown
They might look odd, but the science behind the sleeves is sound. Your
pipe-like arms lose heat quickly, which is why rolling your sleeve up
is a disproportionately effective cooling measure. The converse is that
insulating your arms stops that heat loss quickly and should, in
theory, give a rapid overall boost to overall warmth - a bit
like putting a hat on.
The synthetic insulation is moisture repellent and still effective even
when it does get damp and the outer fabric is windproof and water
resistant too.
How They
Performed
There's a definite 'you are now entering the Twilight Zone' feel to the
Torres Sleeves and there's no denying that they do look somewhat odd,
but get over that and you'll find them surprisingly effective. Simply
pull them out of your pack and put on over other layers - you don't
even need to remove your rucksac - and you're rewarded with an instant
warmth boost. Underarm shock-corded adjusters mean you can snug them up
too.
The Sleeves in situ over
a Quito Jacket
We found they worked best when traveling fast and light with minimal
clothing, when the effect is subjectively most pronounced for quick
stops and when you're less likely to be carrying a full extra layer.
With more clothing on to start with, the effect is less pronounced.
And when it's really cool, you can always leave the sleeves
in place without impeding movement and, unlike a mid-layer,
strip them off and stow them away with minimal hassle.
At 210 grammes they're light too and pack small. Lighter and smaller
than any effective synthetic insulating top we're aware of and as a
result, you tend to carry them in situations where you wouldn't bother
with a belay jacket or equivalent.
Odd but surprisingly effective, particularly if you're moving fast and
light when donning the Sleeves and a hat give an instant insulation
boost, though not - obviously - to the same extent as a full jacket.
If you can get over the essential strangeness of the Paramo
Torres Sleeves, they're a handy albeit slightly niche bit of kit.
At £55, they're a tad expensive for what they are though, for £100
you could have a full
Torres
Smock, or the Torres Gilet is £75 -
teaming the Sleeves with the Gilet would be interesting and versatile
too - a bit like Paramo's Third Element waterproof combo - and we can't
help wondering if selling the two together might make more sense.
Buy if
you're looking for an ultra-lightweight quick stop insulation solution
and don't mind your mates sniggering at you.
|
Very light, surprisingly effective, quick and easy to don and
remove.
 Look odd and a
tad expensive.
|
|
Performance
|
|
|
Value
|
|
Know more or want to?
If
you'd like to add your own
experiences of this
product check out our user review system and post your opinions to
the world. If you have questions you can mail
us
direct, ask
Richard Gear or try
a posting to our
gear
forum.
