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 | | Posted: 22/02/08 |
| 'NEAR PERFECT JACKET FOR SCOTLAND' | | Strengths:
Analogy fabric breathes like nothing else and has proved 100% waterproof. Keeps you comfortable throughout the day. Good long length. Great hood, with or without a helmet. Pockets well-sized and well-placed. Good ventilation options. Perpetually re-proofable. | | Weaknesses:
Internal storm flap is awkward to do up. Whiffs a bit after sustained use (but just bung it in the washing machine and it comes out better than ever). The fit could be a little closer. | | Overall:
Nothing like it for comfort on the hill. Will deal with all the moisture you can throw at it, from whatever direction it comes. Very quiet in use - none of the Gore-Tex "crisp packet" sound effects. |
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| | | Performance | | 100% | | Reliability | | 100% | | Value | | 80% |
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| | Posted: 16/11/07 |
| 'I'M CONVERTED!!' | | Strengths:
Fantastic condensation/moisture control.
Good length.
Great hood, which moves with the head.
Very comfy. | | Weaknesses:
None | | Overall:
Like many others I was sceptical when it came to buying this type of jacket (not GoreTex etc), but after reading reviews such as this and speaking with a few retailers I took the plunge and bought an Alta 11 two years ago. I have not been disappointed.
I heard many people say that this jacket is too hot for summer use. It is, because it isnt a summer jacket. Pack a lightweight shell for summer and use the Alta 11 for when the weather is really wet and cold, this is when you will feel the benefit of the fantastic moisture control and performance. It's well vented for when you are working hard and provides great protection when the weather is foul.
I normally run really hot whatever the time of year, but with this jacket I can leave my fleece in the rucksack in winter and just use a thick baselayer. The hood is good and moves really well with the head. For the taller person (I'm 6'4"), this jacket is ideal as with it's longer length your bum stays dry and warm.
They are much cheaper than £220 these days; I got mine for £180 and that was almost two years ago.
I dont want to sound like a salesman for Paramo, but their kit is good (I've bought other stuff) and seems to deliver what they promise. |
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| | | Performance | | 100% | | Reliability | | 100% | | Value | | 100% |
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| | Posted: 22/08/06 |
| 'NUMBER ONE' | | Strengths:
Kept dry and warm all day long. Never had to mess around with putting on and taking off layers! | | Weaknesses:
My map did get wet in the map pocket. | | Overall:
The best jacket I have ever used! To never get wet and never get cold again use this jacket... |
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| | | Performance | | 100% | | Reliability | | 80% | | Value | | 80% |
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| | Posted: 03/03/06 |
| 'AMAZING JACKET' | | Strengths:
Dry as a bone in it and really breathable even better when combined with Paramo base layers | | Weaknesses:
none | | Overall:
If your after a new jacket get this one you'll not regret it |
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| | | Performance | | 100% | | Reliability | | 80% | | Value | | 100% |
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| | Posted: 05/04/04 |
| 'Excellent. Never too hot and always dry.' | | Strengths:
The Analogy fabric. -Have been out in all weathers and have never been wet from either water coming in, or sweat not getting out.
Lighter than the old Alta and not as hot (I am told).
Very good sized pockets.
Outstanding Paramo customer services (though not needded them yet)
Ethical manufacturing processes. | | Weaknesses:
Hood is possibly a bit small and the lower pockets seem to argue with my rucksack waist belt. | | Overall:
Fantastic 3 season coat. Well worth the money. |
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| | | Performance | | 100% | | Reliability | | 100% | | Value | | 100% |
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| | Posted: 30/04/04 |
| 'FIRST RATE WALKING JACKET ...... BUT NOT FOR THE SUMMER.' | | Strengths:
Long length
Soft, quiet fabric
In Autumn & Spring can often wear just a base layer underneath and keep the jacket on all day.
easy to ventilate when working hard.
Good hood (haven't worn with a helmet)
I had my doubts about the internal stormflap (the main zip is exposed to the elements) but a very wet day in the Cairngorms convinced be of its waterproofness.
Certainly much more of a true 'soft-shell' than many marketed as such. | | Weaknesses:
Not a viable 4-season option. | | Overall:
An excellent winter Jacket ... but you'll want a lightweight shell for hotter days. |
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| | | Performance | | 80% | | Reliability | | 80% | | Value | | 60% |
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| | Posted: 02/11/04 |
| 'TRULY SUPERB PERFORMANCE' | | Strengths:
Great fabrics; great ventilation options; great pockets. | | Weaknesses:
Nothing really although this is a 3 season jacket. | | Overall:
Paraomo is always controversial. I needed a winter jacket and - having bought a Velex smock earlier in the year - decided to go for a full sized anaology jacket.
The jacket is very well designed with two good OS sized pockets and three others also (two hand warming pockets and one smaller compass/gps pocket. I like the hood. The cut is quite long which should keep legs mainly dry when not wearing waterproof trousers.
I have just come back from trying this on the Dark Peak. The weekend was dry and reasonably mild for end of October - but this would let me really test out this notion of Paramo being too hot.
But first water. The jacket works like any Paramo (won't go into that here). The front zip seems exposed but underneath is a popper fastened storm flat which seems impervious to the elements.
The walk was reasonably hard. Underneath the jacket I wore a Cambria top - cool side to the skin. Ventilation was easily achieved by using the reversible front zip which opens from both ends. The arm vents worked very well. Indeed I found that it was pretty easy to lower temperature in the jacket. And this material is certainly more breathable than anything else that I have tried.
I'm suspicious of all these people that say these are too hot; I suspect they have never really tested them properly in the hills, although I know people that do run hot and can't use them. Me I'm not a cold person by any means but this jacket was perfectly comfortable.
It's not expensive, but then it is very well made and full featured and so I'm giving it top marks for value. |
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| | | Performance | | 100% | | Reliability | | 100% | | Value | | 100% |
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| | Posted: 04/01/06 |
| 'EXCELLENT - YOU CAN WEAR IT ALL DAY' | | Strengths:
Long length, fabric performance, good wired hood which feels "nice", ventilation options, any tears easily repairable | | Weaknesses:
Two-tone colour scheme | | Overall:
The other reviews say it all. I've used it quite a bit now over the last few months, in all sorts of weather, and have nothing but praise.
In milder weather I used it with a short-sleeved (non-Paramo) base layer and had no problems of over-heating, with the arm vents being a nice touch which does make a difference.
When it's rained, I've stayed dry and the jacket has dried out much quicker than it ever would or could with Goretex.
In colder weather, I first used a 260 weight Icebreaker top for a few days, but found that the top made me sweat more than usual and in places I've never noticed sweat before. However, I eventually dried off, probably because the Analogy materials sucked out the sweat and evaporated it. I don't believe for a minute that Goretex could have done that.
I now use a Mountain Vent Pull-on instead of the Icebreaker and don't seem to sweat nearly as much, so the system does seem to work. Don't ask me why, particularly when the Paramo top is heavier and thicker. The vents worked really well when needed, with air getting straight through to my arms.
A good thing for me is the fact that I now don't have to go in and out of my rucksack putting my Goretex shell on and off. I also carry less in my pack now, as it doesn't have a fleece (except safety spare in winter) or shell. Neither do I need to carry overtrousers in my pack, as I use the Paramo Cascadas.
The so-called weight issue just doesn't concern me, as it weighs about the same or less than a fleece and winter XCR Goretex and very little more than a fleece and Paclite jacket, so I think that's just a smokescreen put up by the unenlightened. I'd take a little extra weight over a soaked, clammy body any day.
I'm so impressed that I've kitted out my family in Paramo and all agree that they much prefer it to the old days. |
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| | | Performance | | 100% | | Reliability | | 100% | | Value | | 100% |
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Average Rating: 5 out of 5
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