UKC

Hi,

I'm new but I'm after a bit of advice, bit of a long post but bear with me.....

I currently have a range of outdoor jackets which are quite specialised but carrying more than one/two is a pain.

• Paramo Torres Activo (Insulated top layer, used for skiing in the alps)
• Arcteryx PROXY (Casual insulated winter jacket)
• RAB Alpine Vapour Rise Softshell (Used as winter softshell/windproof in UK hills and Alps)
• Paramo Helki (General day to day use and waterproof all year round)
• RAB Waterproof (Pertex 2.5 Shield) (thin hardshell waterproof)
• Various old soft shells from RAB & Mountain Equipment
• Bits I've had but moved on include a Paramo Bentu Fleece (poor fit) and Ostro Fleece (To warm for any use, even in winter) as well as a RAB lightweight Pertex windproof and Berghaus Hardshell thick jacket.

Now the problem I have is walking in the summer, the softshells are too warm (no vents) and using the RAB waterproof is not at all breathable worn over a softshell or t-shirt. Last year, while walking the two-moors way in the summer, we had awful weather, wet most of the week and the condensation build up under the RAB Waterproof was largely useless when worn over just a base layer.

In the winter, I love the RAB Alpine VR but its only light shower proof, the Paramo Helki is great but poor fit, even a small is a too loose round the torso area. The Paramo Torres is only for use when its really minus temperatures but the fit is spot on for me with the new Paramo 'Athletic' fit. Like the summer, wearing the RAB Waterproof over the top of the RAB VR top or Paramo Bentu fleece I still got condensation.

So, what I would like is to replace the Paramo Helki, old soft shells and RAB waterproof with one garment that I can wear hiking all year round when its wet. I will still use the RAB VR top but would like to miss this layer out as well if possible.

As I tend to run warm, I go between layers very often and just end up wearing a Merino Base layer when hiking in summer and in the winter, a base layer and thin wicking top like the Paramo Tempro which is excellent and then adding a waterproof over the top, or the RAB VR on top of just the base layer but I still need a full waterproof over the top if it starts to rain.

So far, I have looked at jackets with pit vents, its really a must as I run quite hot when hiking, and the Paramo Velez Jacket looks pretty much spot on. Lighter weight construction than the Helki but with Pit and side vents, slimmer/athletic style which should suit me better. Looking around I can get the Velez Jacket from Paramo Seconds (eBay I've used before) for ~£200, the Enduro is around ~£250 but I fear will be a bit wasted and too warm for spring/summer use.

So, my main question, are there any other jackets, around the ~£200 odd mark that could give me the breath-ability of the Paramo Velez with Pit/Side Vents and Althletic fit?

Sorry for the rambling first post

Some photos from the alps, with the RAB Alpine VR and Paramo Torres Activo while Skiing, these are excellent bits of kit! Both combined with the excellent Paramo Cascada II trousers which I used pretty much all year round other than high summer, the vents are excellent!

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7922/47365718052_8717ba24b9_z.jpg

http://www.cioch-direct.co.uk/perfect_fit/perfect_fit.html

You're welcome

Ah thanks, I have heard of them when researching Paramo previously, I will have a look

Precisely the reply this question was screaming for!

I have a Velez and it's far too warm in spring as I also run hot. In all honesty, if you run hot and you want to go out in the hills in a summer/spring downpour then you will get wet and uncomfortable, your only option is do you get wet and uncomfortable from sweat wearing a waterproof or wet from the rain without a waterproof. 

Personally, I just wear a t-shirt and get wet as that's preferable to getting hot and bothered.

That's good to know. To be honest, when we were doing the two moors way I found exactly that that I ended up just wearing a t-shirt and getting wet anyway and then put the waterproof on if we stopped for extended amounts of time.

What's your impression of the Valez for a general waterproof and winter jacket? I would like to use this for day-to-day use as well as out on the hills/moors and in the Alps.

Keep the helki for autumn through (cool) spring. If there's nothing the matter with it then it'll just keep going for years yet and a membrane shell won't be as breathable.

In warmer weather I carry a thinner waterproof that I'll only put on if I'm going slowly or stopping, more to cut wind-chill from being wet. For light or intermittent showers I've got a thin softshell that's more breathable and dries quick.

There's no magic, do it all yet I don't think...

I've given up entirely on waterproofs now in favour of softshell. They will eventually get soaked - but if you layer correctly you'll still be warm, and hopefully not too long after it stops raining you'll begin to be dry again too. I have a lightweight rain shell and overtrousers, but they only ever see use if I expect being wet will lead to being unpleasantly or dangerously cold. Which is virtually never.

Thanks guys, I think I will look to replace the Helki with a better fitting Enduro/Valez keeping an eye out on sportspursuit or ParamoSeconds. I tried on an AltaIII at the local GoOutdoors but its similar cut to the Helki and not very fitted.

For the summer, i think I'll just get a cheap(er) waterproof shell with Pit Zips and just use that.

Cheers, Rob

As you run hot there's a fair chance you'll be able to 'pump out' moisture from softshells/buffalos in anything other than a downpour, so perhaps your best option is to go for a softshell and carry spare clothes and a hardshell for when you're stopped. I guess you will need to consider the effect of being wet and losing body heat faster than you can replace it i.e. risk of exhaustion & hypothermia. Spending all day walking in what is effectively an evaporation fridge is going to put you near the probability of using up all your blood sugar and going downhill fast. My wife had this in Norway - we had a 500m ascent straight from camp so we deliberately only wore base layers and put waterproofs on when we entered the gale-force cloud and drizzle on the ridge. In our efforts to crack on until we dropped out of the bad weather we didn't stop to eat until she was mildly hypothermic (although we were together it was too windy to bother speaking so we didn't). Hiding behind the first rock we'd seen for two hours, putting a fleece on and feeding her a chocolate biscuit sorted her out, but it was amzing how the wind had simply whipped the heat out of her body even though she was virtually dry inside her waterproofs.

I love my paramo Quito for summer stuff. I have an aspira for winter, but it's way too hot for summer, so I got the Quito. I prefer the jacket over a smock like the Velez for the better venting and it has pit zips too.

 Will be having a close look at a glamaig this summer though: http://www.cioch-direct.co.uk/waterproofs/glamaig.html