What's It For?
The new Fuera Ascent is a mountain-friendly windproof designed to be used with or without a helmet. It goes beyond just being a windproof though as teamed with the Summit Hoodie Fleece, it's effectively waterproof in the same way as the brand's directional waterproof shells. Unfortunately Paramo didn't have any Summits left, so we've had to test the Fuera Ascent alone for now, with a full combo test of both to follow.
The Techy Bits
The Fuera Ascent uses Nikwax Windproof fabric, the same stuff you'll find on the outside of a Paramo Directional waterproof. It's a polyester microfibre and totally windproof and quite water resistant thanks to the Nikwax proofing. The interesting bit is that teamed with one of Paramo's fleeces, it effectively works as a directional waterproof.
The Summit Hoodie has matching torso and arm zips for more efficient cooling when used as a single unit and the idea is that with the combo in place, you can simply vent or not for efficient all-day use on the hills.
How It Performed
Even Parmo's more technical garments tend to be cut to accommodate the more generously proportioned and the new Fuera Summit is no exception. On most folk, there's plenty of room for bulky mid-layers including the matching Summit Hoodie.
The fabric is familar windproof stuff and works well at blocking out the breeze. Because it's polyester, it also takes a DWR - water resistant - treatment very well and copes well with light to medium rain, though don't mistake it for a waterproof. For that you need to add a Paramo fleece.
Features generally work well - the twin chest pockets are harness friendly and swallow an OS map happily and while the fabric is pretty breathable, the massive arm / torso vents with their substantial zips are easy to use and give good, front-facing ventilation. If that's not enough, you can always supplement with the main, double-ended zip and/or roll up the sleeves.
Where the Fuera Summit really is unusual for a windproof is in having a full, helmet-compatible mountain hood with wired peak. It works well enough without a helmet, but slacken off the shock-corded adjusters and it will easily swallow a climbing helmet with enough fabric to spare for facial protection. Great for those mountain days when wind is more of an issue than rain.
Finally, reflective trim front and rear gives reassurance on dark, unlit roads and when grovelling along behind your mates hoping not to be forgotten...
Initial Verdict
So far it's really only half the story, but the Fuera Ascent is an effective, if slightly loose-cut mountain windproof that also shrugs off most showers and has the bonus of a proper helmet-compatible hood. It's also pretty breathable and has good venting options that work with a pack or harness in place. Where it should really score though is in combination with the Summit Hoodie and we'll report back when we've done just that.
Buy if... you want a loose-fitting, reasonably light and breathable mountain windproof that wil take a helmet and potentially team with a Paramo fleece for a properly waterproof system.
