Paramo Velez Smock Tested

Paramo Velez Smock Tested

Price: £160.00

Weight: 758 grammes (including hood and stuffsac - medium) Note Stuffsac no longer supplied 03/07

Features: Paramo Analogy Directional fabric, articulated shoulders and elbows, drop tail, fully wired and adjustable roll-away / detachable low profile hood, tin front vent zips, singlehanded cuff adjustment, large external chest pocket, iinternal 'dry'pocket, takes OS map, adjustable hem with drop tail, refelctive piping front and rear, ultralight day sac. Also: two-inch drop skirt.

Comfortable feel, decent moisture management. A tad warm if you run hot, will leak under direct pressure.

---

The Concept Paramo's directional clothing works differently from anything else on the market. In strict technical terms - think lab tests - the fabric isn't waterproof, however, in the real world, the combination of Paramo's windproof / water resistant outer fabric and the pump liner means that you won't get wet.

The Velez is a multi-activity jacket aimed at runners, bikers, walkers and climbers, but it's cut shorter than more traditional designs, so if you prefer a longer jacket with a more all-enveloping hood, you'll need to look elsewhere in the range.

---

Features We've already mentioned the directional fabric - the analogy Parmo use to explain the way it works is with animal fur pumping liquid away from the skin btw - but you should also note that the latest version is 25 per-cent lighter than earlier incarnations thanks to a lighter lining.

Otherwise you get two big side vents, now with reversed zips for more abrasion protection, big exterior chest and interior zipped pockets, adjustable hem and cuffs, articulated sleeves and a fold-way / detachable wired hood.

The Velez also comes complete with a neat little stuff sac that converts into a small pack for carrying the top when it's not needed. Oh, the latest version is also available in cool blac.

---

In Action We've tested an earlier version of the Velez before - see this story - so this is a bit of an update with the latest model used in cold, winter conditions. This new version, by the way, weighed in at around 100 grammes lighter than before, so a saving, though not a huge one.

The first thing we noticed was that along with the weight reduction, the latest Velez is cut slightly larger than its predecessor, making for a more generous fit, which was good news. It's snug but not restrictive with the articulated sleeves working fine. We like the droptail too, particularly when running or biking.

Whether you get on with Paramo seems to depend a lot on how hot you run. The pump liner acts as an extra insulation layerl and for those who really chuck out the heat, it can all get a bit too much unless it's really cold. The lighter lining goes some way towards resolving that problem.

The the latest Velez is appreciably cooler than its predecessor. Open up the generous and easy to use side vents - they work well even wearing a pack and with gloved hands - and you can lose more heat. It's still warmer than a single layer conventional shell or windproof garment, and we still found it on the warm side in milder conditions, but definitely better than before.

It's also very effective at handling excess moisture when you do boil over. Some mountain biking mates were amazed by the steam rising from the Velez during a rest stop on a hectic night ride. Really, clouds of steam rising from the surface of the garment. The bottom line is that while you may sweat a little more, the Paramo system does handle the excess moisture very effectively.

It also kept us dry on wet days, so no complaints there. We do know from previous experience with the fabric, that it will let water through under pressure, say, if you lean your shoulder against a wet rockface. Mostly though it's not an issue.

Stuff like zips, cuff adjusters and the hem cords were all easy to use and the detachable, adjustable hood with its wired peak gives close-fitting and reasonable protection. Like the rest of the Velez it's designed for fast movers, so for full-on winter mountain use, you'll be better off with an Alta 2 or Aspira jacket or smock.

---

Verdict

Paramo seems to polarise opinions, but we reckon the latest Velez is an excellent and very breathable wind and water-proof option for fast movers in cold weather. Those who run cool will also find it useable in milder conditions, but only you can really judge how hot you actually run... Those vents also go some way to keeping temperatures under control too.

One downside for some users may be that reduced insulation value. If you run cool or stand around a lot in cold conditions, you'll find the latest Paramo may need to be supplemented with additional clothing in a way that the old one didn't.

Another consideration is that the soft feel of the Paramo Analogy fabric and its lack of rustle will defiintely appeal to some users who dislike the 'plasticky' handle - oops, technical term - of more conventional waterproofs.

Finally, while the Velez may be light for Paramo, it's certainly no lightweight in comparison to other options on the market, so if weight is a major issue for you, look elsewhere.

Performance
Value

---

Paramo web site

Pushed for time: Lighter, blacker version of Paramo's fast-movers waterproof and breathable smock. It's still warmer than conventional waterproofs, but definitely improved and offers great moisture management and decent breathability. Whether it suits you will still depend largely on how hot you run, but a lighter lining and big vents definitely broaden the appeal. Not particularly light however.

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.