Paramo Aspira Smock

Bluff
Reviewed: 07 November 2010

Very well vented bomb proof

tough design, lots of venting and features that work: compass pockets, internal hand warmer pocket pit zips etc

QUite warm

A great smock for the winter autumn and early spring

Old Enough To Know Better
Reviewed: 28 December 2007

GREAT FOR WINTER CLIMBING

Warm & breathable.

Too warm for summer use.

My Aspria is on it's 3rd winter campaign. Great for low energy activities when you arn't generating body heat. Espically 1000m belays!

Paul Faulkner
Reviewed: 30 August 2007

GREAT FOR WINTER

It works very well, the foam inserts in the back are a nice touch when carrying your pack, the ventilation options are very good

The hood is very large especially if not wearing a helmet.

Its a great mountaineering jacket, it keeps you dry and warm in very poor conditions, but is very specialist in its nature and our mild winters.

Ben Manwaring
Reviewed: 20 February 2007

GREAT WINTER SMOCK

*Breathes really well
*Good cut - works well with a harness
*Nice big protective hood - fits a helmet underneath nicely
*Kept me very dry in some horrendous weather

*Not entirely convinced that the fabric is as durable as claimed by some
*Cuffs can be a bit of a faff
*Quite heavy (but not compared to the layers it replaces)

Had the smock for a while, but have waited until its had a few really testing days before I've written a review. The smock has been everything I hoped - I've regularly worn it all day whilst people have been faffing with taking traditional layers on and off. I just open all the vents for the walk in, and then batten down the hatches when the weather gets rough. So far it has taken all the weather that has been thrown at it.
My only gripe is that the fabric has shown a little bit of abrasive wear after a few days winter climbing and wearing a heavy pack.
I can't see myself finding a better bit of kit for a long while.

Ian Roberts
Reviewed: 16 January 2005

A GOOD SCOTTISH WINTER SMOCK!

The fabric is very comfortable and does not rustle or feel harsh as some Gore-tex jackets. I have used the smock twice in gale force winds and it stood its ground quite well. When used as a winter smock it is extremely good. I have yet to climb in the smock but feel confident that it will hold up well.

It is a specialist smock that can only be used for the coldest of days (hence scottish winter rather than what is becoming a typical lakeland [or lack of] winter). The hood is annoying in windy conditions and does not offer any real protection. Although the large chest pocket is great for storing kit, it is not waterproof and quite clumsy once you have stored all your belongings in there! Once bad advantage is the weight of the smock. Used in torrential rain in Glencoe, I was surprised at the weight of it when I took it off - it was equivalent of carrying a small baby (well, not exactly but you get the idea)!

Used in the right environment, a very good smock. However, the right environment is about two months to three months a year so it should be supported by a lighter jacket for those warmer days!