I've just scratched an itch and bought a Frahm thermal military parka
Expensive, but the quality is everything it's hyped up to be.
Not sure how waterproof it is, but was perfect at the footy on Wednesday night in freezing temps with just a single layer underneath
Terrible pic below
AFKASTR earlier 👆... 😉
(I've got one like it but a cheap knock off sans fur)
what size did you get? how tall are you?<br />DrP
I'm 5'11 and 12.5st (not sure of chest measurement, but reasonably broad chest/shoulders) slim build otherwise.
Originally went large as that's the only one that came back into stock. Had previously tried a mates tan coloured one on and it seemed ok, but felt I could go smaller.
Decided I wasn't happy when it came, so sent it back and then a medium popped back up, presumably a return.
Medium is perfect for me and not snug at all
I got one of these.. my everyday jacket in the coldness.
bit like an old Defender, it just seems to fit every occasion.
<br />Also have a completely unlined one for summer
Keep that for best and this for messing about:
https://forcesuniformandkit.co.uk/collections/jackets-and-smocks-all/products/austrian-army-m65-gore-tex-jacket
Medium is perfect for me and not snug at all
Ok, cheers..
at 5'10" and 71kg, med would suit me fine..<br />Shame they've only black in stock...
DrP
^^^ I am a little shorter at 5ft 9, chest 41, and same weight and have a large. It fits well with a shirt and jumper beneath. I could fit in a medium also I reckon. Great coat !
Regatta Ronin - very warm. Tried recently in a howling gale.
Have a look at the Ayacucho winter parker at Cotswold. Mines warm, dry and breathable enough for flat dog walks and standing at the side of Scottish football pitches on a Sunday morning in winter
I went for one of these recently
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/me n's-warm-padded-ski-jacket-900-warm-grey-and-black/_/R-p-339367?mc=8802780
usually have an alpkit puffer but wanted something waterproof. Very warm and seems good value. Had to go up a size from my normal.
A few other things put me off too. Thought it unlikely that an old design using primitive fabrics by a small British company would be a good option. Also it’s targeted at and popular with people who like camouflage and wearing the same gear as security and military supposedly wear etc.<br /><br />
If by that you mean Buffalo, Pertex isn’t a primitive fabric, they got the design right first time thirty-odd years ago and haven’t needed to change it, and AFAIK, they don’t do camo. Mine’s black. The military use a similar design with a lightweight hood folded into the collar, but they’re a sort of olive drab, with a lightweight fleece liner. They’re fine, and cheap, I’ve got one for cool weather, it’s more of a wind-shirt. There are other, brighter colours available from Buffalo, and the idea I believe originated with smock tops worn by the Paras and troops fighting in the Arctic. <br />The only issue I have with them is they’re not the easiest to get on and off, being a smock top, having to drag it over yer head in a pub is a bit awkward; so’s putting it on again.
TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsSTRFull Member
@iaincYou worn yours in the rain? Wondering whether to wear it to the footy or not today
Posted 18 hours ago
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Yes, it’s pretty decent, think it’d probably wet through after an hour or 2 of heavy rain, but so far I’ve always stayed dry
Yes, it’s pretty decent, think it’d probably wet through after an hour or 2 of heavy rain, but so far I’ve always stayed dry
Yeah, I wore it. Walked a couple of miles back and forth in Sheffield in medium rain.
Whilst the surface of the coat didn't make any efforts at appearing waterproof, I stayed totally dry
^^^ they really are good ! I have more Frahm jackets than I should have, but they all get worn a lot. I am out with the dog 3 times a day, regardless of weather, and the right jacket increases the fun 🤪
You'd expect them to be good at those prices!
Is there some classic Paramo that people mean when they just say “Paramo”, as seems to be often done?
Most (but not al)of their stuff is kind of the same system in different styles - a wicking lining and a fine pertex like outer and wash-in waterproofing (they do a few that are just the outer shell and no lining sold as a wind-proof). What you chose depends on how casual or active you want to be / look. The velez smocks are more active / outward bound in terms of cut and features, some are more rambler /walking cuts and features, ones like the Halkon and Pajaro are styled and featured a bit like a (better tailored version of) waxed jacket and a bit more casual looking and the pockets are more wallet and keys friendly rather than maps and compass. All those ones perform more or less the same weather and warmth wise but the ones designed more for active sport like the smocks are a bit awkward to wear more casually. All their stuff is much less rustly than most outdoor gear.
Much warmer for low intensity stuff in winter are the Torres jackets that are their version of a down jacket but much easier to care for, much more breathable than previous down jackets I've had and again are wash-in waterproofed so can put up with really miserable weather and even if they wet out dry out again very quick. They come in two versions - Medio and Alturo with the latter being a fair bit warmer still. They are amongst the cheapest jackets they make because they're comparatively very simple without the dozens of little little adjusters that their other jackets have.
Becuase the waterproofing is something you constantly refresh by washing they are long lasting - no membranes to crumble, not taped seams to split. That actually makes them a pretty decent second hand buy - most of my stuff of theirs I bought on ebay
You’d expect them to be good at those prices!
Indeed you would.
I've coveted them for maybe three years and couldn't justify the cost.
Got a bit of cash floating about due to a good year at work, so hit the button.
The quality really is everything it's hyped up to be. It's definitely a coat to last a decade, if not longer
So paramo is like buffalo or snugpak by the sounds?
And just as stylish if you want to wear it to the pub, or to work ( a la the OP )
Paramo is a brand, they sell various types of jackets. Windshirts, fleeces, waterproofs and insulation jackets too.
It's not as simple as saying it's like a Buffalo as they have various types of jackets too.
Buffalo often referred to on here is their pile and pertex offerings. They are not an insulation jacket as such, they are just very warm in use and quite warm when stood around.
