[Closed] Paramo windproof jacket

Often discussed, try a search.

Paramo fit isn't usually that athletic, so expect wind flappage. Plenty of zips can make the windproofs heavier than you'd otherwise expect too. Good quality and performance though.

I bought their cheapish windproof smock for the purposes of riding. Heavy, flappy, doesn't pack down at all well. Didn't even think it that breathable or water resistant. Went back to Montane Featherlight.

The paramo is useful for trail work and dog walking.

I've an ostro that I use for running in the crap weather, I love it, I had to get a small though but im Normally a medium, its great ive run 20-30 odd miles at a time in it in the cold and it works well , vents really well and keeps rain off for an hour at a time id say before wetting out, but I like it as the wind is kept off you and you stay warm and your undershirt drys off without getting sweaty so it doesn't need to be a full on waterproof, I like it that much that on ultras when I have to have taped seams for kit checks I take it along with my kit check waterproof and I've never used my kit check waterproof yet its that good I don't mind carrying two outershells

I got a Montane Lite-Speed Windproof Jacket for chrimbo. Seems good so far, athletic cut. I do like my Paramo windproof but it is a bit like a sail.

Oh do pay attention at the back !!

There are different cuts of Paramo jackets nowadays. The original Fuera Smock and Jackets were like breathable bin bags with zips but the newer stuff just isn't the same.

Yeah the ostro is a different kettle of fish to the fuera

There are different cuts of Paramo jackets nowadays. The original Fuera Smock and Jackets were like breathable bin bags with zips but the newer stuff just isn’t the same.

Yes, this. I've not tried the Ostro, but I've used a Velez jacket and an Enduro and they're both far better cut than older, more traditional Paramo designs. Bear in mind that Paramo's idea of 'lightweight' is still out of step with the rest of the world's, but it's not that bad at around 115g.

Been looking at the Ostro myself. Looks like they did a 160g version and an ultralight 115g version that’s now discontinued?

I’m a 37” chest so a bit concerned re flappage. Can always send it back I suppose.

Yes, I used to have a Fuera Smock and it was very spacious! Tough fabric, very windproof, breathable for how windproof it is and fairly water resistant after washing TX Direct.

I switched to a stretchy double-weave softshell (Mountain Equipment Exolite) for a few years and then replaced that with a Paramo Enduro Windproof. The softshell was pretty breathable and water resistant but not half as windproof or ventable - basically not as good when it was cold or I was hot. The Enduro Windproof has the same bombproof fabric as ye olde Fuera but a much closer cut, a full length front zip, and two huge elbow to waist pit-zips. My one has a shockcorded hem (a retrofit by Paramo after the original stretchy hem kept fraying). The new version has arm and body vents on each rather than a massive double-ended vent and a shockcorded hem as standard.

The only downsides of it are that it doesn't pack down super-small (tough fabric, lots of zips and serious hood) and that it makes you look like you're about to climb a mountain or go MTBing into a storm as it looks like a full-blown winter waterproof (I have a Pocket Rocket tiny waterproof for emergencies but it's a few years since I've needed it, that's how weatherproof the Enduro Windproof is).

The Ostro is their simpler, lighter alternative that packs down tiny and doesn't look like a mountaineering jacket.

Yeah they did a superlight one but it was very thin
Sometimes you can pick them up at go outdoors at a good price

I took a Paramo windproof bike top on my first arctic winter trip - seemed to be very effective at catching the wind and sweat - after a while it was stiff as a board and annoyed the hell out of me. I can't believe that anyone would treat it a serious outdoor clothing.

So you paid less than £100 and expected stellar performance in the Arctic?

🤣🤣🤣

Sound  like it could be just what I'm looking for, thanks for the replies

I’ve got a fuera wind proof myself.
It was nowhere as breathable as my velez adventure light.
It’s the combination of the shell and pump layer in paramos waterproofs that ups their game, in a kind of ‘the whole is greater than the sum of the parts’, kind of thing.

I don’t know if the Ostro is radically different to the fuera in terms of materials, but paramo recommend that you combine it with their ostro fleece (pump-layer).
So you end up with a paramo waterproof, albeit possibly warmer.

Not a bad idea if you need more flexibility in clothing options, especially for winter. Theres always the possibility of the wind proof layer getting blown away when you’re trying to change into it...

I might have a closer look at their ostro fleece, as I’ve tried the fuera on top of regular fleece and it’s never been that great, tbh.

Can someone help me understand the whole windproof/waterproof thing? Not necessarily Paramo, but seems like a good excuse to ask the question....

Paramo suggest combining the Ostro fleece with an Ostro "windproof", and then state...

"Together these two garments create a versatile waterproof system."

I understand the fleece doesn't bring wind or water proofing to the party. But just how "waterproof" is their "windproof" ostro? Someone above suggests its OK for an hour of running before wetting out. So do i also need a full on waterproof for a day on the hills?

Would it for example be accepted by an outdoors even that required a "waterproof" in the kit list?

I've got the ostro fleece and windproof both work well together but I do get warm, the fleece is shower proof and when wor with the windproof that is also shower proof it works remarkably well but if in needing both i like to just use my normal paramo quito or alta jacket as I can vent better, but the ostro combo is good for a windy day when it might well rain but isn't too cold but you might want a warm layer on up the on the tops or in the evening
Hope that makes sense

Like firestarter, I've got a couple of Paramo set-ups.

Proper winter walking and/or expected heavy rain all day - I wear my Alta III jacket and accept I'm wearing a heavier waterproof that will be worn all day but it's cosy and dry in there.

Unpleasant conditions, e.g. windy and showers expected, I'll wear my Enduro Windproof and Enduro fleece combo. The idea is that the two separate items, when used together, mimic the behaviour of the main waterproof jackets but provide more flexibility on the hill and also are usable in many situations. e.g. I wear my Enduro windshirt on the bike if it's very cold as the long arms and tail are useful.

The windshirts on their own are showerproof and okay in steady drizzle for a while. If it is windy, the wind will dry them off anyway. If it's heavy persistent rain you'll need a proper waterproof. They really don't differ from other windshirts in that regard, apart from they tend to be heavier and a bit warmer than ultralight windshirts. If you wash and treat them it does improve their ability to stay dry for longer.

To make it more complicated, if it's well below zero, I'll wear the Enduro fleece under the Alta III for toasty days on the hill.

"I took a Paramo windproof bike top on my first arctic winter trip – seemed to be very effective at catching the wind and sweat – after a while it was stiff as a board and annoyed the hell out of me. I can’t believe that anyone would treat it a serious outdoor clothing."

Do you mean that it wasn't windproof and breathed badly? My experience of the heavier Paramo microfibre shell fabric is that it is very wind resistant, more so than any of the Pertex variants. In cold enough conditions you get condensation on the inside of it if you're working hard due to the temperature gradient but then it wicks through because it isn't impermeable to liquid water. I don't see how any fabric that's equally windproof could avoid this, unless it was a lot thicker and thus added insulation (like ventile).

""Paramo suggest combining the Ostro fleece with an Ostro “windproof”, and then state…

“Together these two garments create a versatile waterproof system.”"

Sadly in my experience this is rather wishful thinking. I've used Paramo jackets as my proper waterproofs for almost 20 years, first an original Velez, then the first generation Enduro. They work very well, very weatherproof indeed.

I got an Enduro Windproof + Enduro Fleece combo and to be honest that was just weird. The fleece is fairly wind resistant for a fleece and sheds water ok on its own. It isn't very warm and it's very heavy for its (lack of) warmth. Layered with the windproof the pair are a lot warmer but that's usually more of a con than a pro. The concept is that the fleece should act as the pump liner, like on the Paramo waterproofs but it doesn't - it wets out pretty easily where there is any pressure (straps or abrasion) and then leaks through. All the chest area of the fleece has the mesh pump liner behind it because it's used to form the pockets and baffles and that does keep the water out - but it comes through everywhere else.

The oddest thing I found about the Enduro Fleece is that it takes forever to dry - fleeces normally come out of the washing machine spin just damp and dry very quickly, to the point that if I'm in a hurry and wearing a synthetic base layer underneath I'd chuck one straight on from the wash. The Paramo one comes out pretty sodden and just hangs onto the water.

I've Nikwaxed my normal fleeces with TX Direct (two midweight Mountain Equipment ones and a thin stretchy Alpkit grid one) and under the Paramo Windproof they're at least as water resistant as the Paramo fleece was, plus they weigh less, breathe better (less windproof) and dry out much much faster. Sold the Enduro Fleece - hope it works better for the new owner.

"I understand the fleece doesn’t bring wind or water proofing to the party. But just how “waterproof” is their “windproof” ostro? Someone above suggests its OK for an hour of running before wetting out. So do i also need a full on waterproof for a day on the hills?""

Actually, the fleece is meant to provide the second half of the waterproofing. A normal Paramo jacket has a windproof and water resistant outer (same as the windproofs) and then "pump liner" which resists water coming inwards and strongly sends liquid water back outwards. The idea is that the fleece does that, but as I said above I've found that it doesn't.

For MTBing trips out in the hills I take a tiny emergency waterproof in addition to my Paramo windproof. Walking, skiing, horse-riding in bigger hills/mountains or winter I'd take my Paramo Enduro waterproof, in less hardcore/risky conditions I'd take the windproof and rely on a proofed fleece to keep me dry enough. Before Paramo stuff I always used Buffalo shirts so I'm not bothered by getting a bit damp as long as I'm warm enough. Buffalo type stuff is usually too warm now I live in the south and am no longer a skinny teenager!

Rab vital windshell hoodie, sub 50 quid, superb.

Like @ElShalimo I have a soft spot for Paramo gear. I have had it as staff issue kit for 7 years in two different outdoor centres, where you are outdoors year round, 5+ days a week. For that standing around role they are superb.

For proper tough days on the hill (windy, cold, damp) it is amazing.
For properly wet days, it does let rain in slowly. You stay warm and it dries out quickly as well.
For warmer, damp or wet days, it is a nightmare as I overheated all the time and it was toss up between what wet you wanted - sweat or rain...
For cold, dry days it is brilliant.

They are not a traditional waterproof hard-layer - they rely on super breathability and warm when wet.

The old ones are cut like a sack. The colour ways are chosen by a blind monkey. There is some detailing such as pockets and zips that was done at 4:56pm on a Friday afternoon.

What I have done now is learn - I use a good baselayer, multiple thin fleeces, a windproof and a waterproof. It actually works out cheaper and more flexible. I rarely wear full waterproof unless it is really coming down or really cold - I wear fleece and windproof.

I am about to treat myself to new windproof - it likely will be a Montane Speedlite - cut like a full waterproof with pockets, hood, pitzips etc, yet not as sweaty.

I wore a Paramo on the bike for my wettest ever weekend away. I was in the Lakes for two nights, it was horrific. Even the locals were complaining about how wet it was. Spent one night in a cave and another under the porch of an outdoor centre because the ground was so waterlogged

Anyway, I was bone dry on top. I had socks literally full of water (sealskinz) but the paramo top was ace. It was a third element, sadly no longer made. One of the few times I've actually put a hood up and wore my helmet over the top.

The weather really was that bad. Was very glad to have had that top on.

Had to divert on the way home due to flooded roads