OUTDOORSmagic
 Home » Product Reviews > Long-Sleeved Shirts > Paramo Trail Shirt ReviewsSunday 6 July 2008 | Help  
Free weekly newsletter!
Join OUTDOORSmagic now
Members can use the forum and gallery, receive a weekly newsletter and are eligible to win great prizes!
why join?  
Latest Reviews
6816 Total Reviews
Casio (Outdoors) Casio Protrek PRG 40-3VUR
by Chris Hawkins
Berghaus Freeflow 20 Rucksack
by UpandDown
The North Face Atmosphere
by Jorge Ribeiro
Lowe Alpine Walkabout Air 25
by Niall Sheridan
The North Face Resolve Jacket
by Niall Sheridan
» Loads More Reviews
Sell your stuff!
Got gear to BUY or SELL?

Check out the OM classifieds and post an ad or see what's on offer.

Can't find what you want? There's always the wanteds section.

Travel Partners
Travel Partners
Explore!
Inghams
Exodus
 Paramo Trail Shirt
Bookmark this
Paramo Trail Shirt
More about Paramo
Average Rating: 5 out of 5
No. of Reviews: 7
RRP: £50
Year: 2002

Description: A complimetary item that makes up part of the Paramo clothing system. It works.

 REVIEWS
 
1 to 7 of 7 reviews, to post a review you need to be a member - Join now. 
Jon Fairhead 
Posted: 29/04/08
'VERSATILE'
Strengths:
The reversible fabric works pretty well.
Warm (or not).
Ventable.
Moderately wind resistant.
Comfortable.
Weaknesses:
Retains dry sweat smell (at least on me it does) but easy to wash.
Pockets only accessible from one side.
Unusual sizing (once again, probably just me).
Overall:
I bought this shirt as I wanted the most versatile top for the least cost (weight as well as cash). For maximum flexibility you need a top with sleeves that can be rolled up. Next, you need excellent venting so that the top be be worn in the widest possible temperature ranges. Finally, you need a top that can be worn as a base layer.

The trail shirt does it all but not only that, it does all of them very well. You can wear this shirt when it's hot or cold, dry or humid, windy or still. For me, it's about as versatile as it gets.

The only problem I have is the sizing. I have a 46 inch chest but only a 32 inch waist, meaning I have to buy the XL shirt, so that it fits across the chest and shoulder but then I end up with a heck of a lot of spare material floating around my middle. Also my forearms, though not huge, are large - the XL trail shirt only just rolls over them. Admittedly this is my fault for hitting the gym and it's a problem I face with all clothes but even taking all this into account, the bottom halve of the shirt is still very large. However this can be alleviated by tucking the shirt into trousers - though you're still carrying all that spare cloth and having to heat all that extra air space.

Despite this, the shirt is still my must have. If Paramo wanted to redesign it, I'd say make both pockets zipped and accessible from both sides of the shirt. Other than that, for the money you can get them for, they're an excellent piece of kit with a very high dependability factor.
 
Performance
 
80%
Reliability
 
80%
Value
 
100%
Overall Rating
 
87%
 
Bozle 
Posted: 16/11/07
'WEAR IT EVERYWHERE.'
Strengths:
Reversible
Smart/casual
The thickness of the fabric is great for all but the hottest summer days and works well as part of a layering system with a windtop-autumn/spring, or a baselayer and waterproof-winter.
Fits well- good roll-up cuffs and a long drop-tail.
Wind resistant.
Dries fast and warm when wet.
Doesn't smell bad if not washed.
Weaknesses:
The Xl collar doesn't fit my- admittadly size 17- neck.
Price.
The pockets need some way of being secured closed.
Bit heavy- XL is 450g
Overall:
Yet another very impressive garment from Paramo. The Parameter S material is not dissimilar in insulation and feel to the toweling material in the British army Norgee shirt- in itself a great shirt provided it didn't get wet.
 
Performance
 
100%
Reliability
 
100%
Value
 
80%
Overall Rating
 
93%
 
ALAN XXX 
Posted: 28/03/02
'It Works'
Strengths:
The fabric actually works for you and the reversible feature is a bonus.
Thermal properties are not compromised after many washes.
Doubles up as a light jacket in more moderate temperatures.
Works well with Fuero windproof jacket (NOTE: not a waterproof combination)
Can be worn on its own in moderate climes or as a base or mid-layer in cooler climes.
Is a valuable addition to the rucksack if you are about to go on a mini-expedition.
Compliments the Paramo system and works well with other Paramo kit.
Like other Paramo kit - it takes you to the comfort zone and works hard to keep you there.
This shirt, along with the rest of Paramo kit, is part of a well-thought out system of working kit. You can randomise but why not delegate the thinking to the experts?
Weaknesses:
Something about the sizes - mine is ok across the chest & in sleeve length but too tight at the collar?
Look out! You may get the paraholic bug and find out that you have a wardrobe full of stuff.
Spending lots of dosh on other manufacturers stuff before finding out that Paramo kit really does do what it says on the tin.
Overall:
This shirt is versatile. I'll say that again writ large - V-E-R-S-A-T-I-L-E. It does have two separate and distinct performance levels depending on whether you wear it fleecy side in or smooth side in. If you are going to purchase one 'fleece' then think about the Trail shirt. That is one reason why I'll add this review to the section on fleeces.
 
Performance
 
100%
Reliability
 
100%
Value
 
80%
Overall Rating
 
93%
 
mark Ravensdale 
Posted: 03/04/02
'ONE SHIRT, MANY USES !'
Strengths:
Rough tough well made shirt that can talk the talk
Can be used as a jacket in late spring and summer (Well, At least in the UK)
wear it pile side in and it makes a good mid-layer,
Wear it pile side out and it help keep you cool on warmer days
Weaknesses:
Price !
Overall:
Over all i am not a big fan of Paramo out-door clothing (I am a photographer, And i have to kneel on the floor many times, And the paramo waterproofs let in water when the water has pressure behind it)
But i love my Paramo Trail Shirt to peices, It is a very rare sight if a leave the house and head for the hills without my paramo shirt! (Infact since i baught it (about 12 months ago)i bet i could count on one hand the number of times i have left home without it))
 
Performance
 
100%
Reliability
 
80%
Value
 
60%
Overall Rating
 
80%
 
Jan Challis 
Posted: 24/02/03
'RUDDY MARVELLOUS!'
Strengths:
Versatile; keeps you warm when worn pile-side in, keeps you cool when reversed. Hardwearing, stands up to washing very well indeed.
I wear mine very day now, whatever I'm doing. In cool February weather I wear it over a wicking T-shirt and under a Gore-Tex jacket, and it keeps me warm whilst walking my daughter to school, for example. I also wear it under a non-windproof fleece on walks, and it keeps me very much warmer - the shirt is also quite windproof on its' own.
In warmer weather it's a fantastic single-layer piece of kit - but you do get some funny looks when you come indoors and reverse it, with nothing on underneath (doing this cools you down immediately - wonderful!).
Although not waterproof, it does handle light drizzle/rain very well as long as you're on the move.
Two chest pockets are great for all the junk I carry around - phone, notebook, pen, keys...
Weaknesses:
Could do with an extra buttom down at the hem to stop it gaping (but maybe that's my beer investment and not the shirt's fault!). The collar is a little snug, too.
Overall:
Extremely comfortable, very versatile, does what it says perfectly, cost is reasonable for its performance (but everything's too expensive these days). Oh, and my wife wants one now, after she wore it as a dressing gown at her mum's chilly house recently.
 
Performance
 
100%
Reliability
 
100%
Value
 
80%
Overall Rating
 
93%
 
john fitzpatrick 
Posted: 27/02/05
'TI'S THE BEES KNEES!!'
Strengths:
excellent all round performance levels in warmth and coolness, which ever is needed. fantastic wicking and warmth properties give you a comfort zone second to none. looks a quality piece of kit.
Weaknesses:
the collar,i tried two shirts on in the shop where i made my purchace a large, and a medium, and both were tight around the neck.
Overall:
first class garment i love it i won't go any where without my trail shirt now, the reversible sides really do work instantly! i took it on to my local moorland this weekend, i had my taiga fleece with me but most of the time i didn't need the fleece, there was quite strong sunshine but against that there was an icy wind and i was never uncomfortable.if you have bought paramo gear but find it too hot for you buy a trail shirt and wear it cool side to the skin as your base layer that will keep your body cool and well regulated.
 
Performance
 
100%
Reliability
 
100%
Value
 
80%
Overall Rating
 
93%
 
Chris Gould 
Posted: 15/05/05
'EXCELLENT'
Strengths:
Incredibly durable; I've worn mine several days a week for years, no sign of any wear.
They really do what they say.
With a thermal T shirt under it, and a goretex on top, it's all I need down to about minus 5.
Obviously I carry a duvet as well.
Weaknesses:
None that I can discern.
Overall:
Marvellous.
Hope they don't discontinue them.
 
Performance
 
100%
Reliability
 
100%
Value
 
80%
Overall Rating
 
93%
 
 MY REVIEW
 
You need to be a member to post a review. You can join here free.
Members Logon
Email:
Password:
forgot your
password?
Support our partners

Forum Hot Threads
510453 Total Messages
Hilleberg Akto - A few questions
by Paulrun26
City kids looking for phone signal
by glenngeorge 64
Summer only
by fb
Tent Dilemma - advice?
by Rog Thedodge
Good Stuff Available Free to Read at Google Books.
by Trevor D Gamble
» Loads More Threads

 Send to friend | Join Now ^ Top of Page
About OUTDOORSmagic
- About Us
- Privacy Policy
- Terms and Conditions

Subscribe to OUTDOORSMAGIC RSS news feed.
Contact Us
- Support
- Advertise with us
- FAQ
- Retailers: free site review
Affiliates
- Take our news for free
- RSS Feed
Magicalia Digital Publishing
Cycling
- BIKEmagic
- RoadCyclingUK
- SheCycles
- LondonCycleSport
- Visordown
- ProTourNews
Outdoors
- OUTDOORSmagic
- FISHINGmagic
- GOLFmagic
- TheMainSail
Lifestyle
- ThinkBaby
- Gardening.co.uk
- AVReview
- ThinkCamera
Hobbies
- ModelFlying
- MilitaryModelling
- ModelBoats
- GetWoodWorking

- Full Portfolio
© 1999-2008 Magicalia Ltd.