I liked the Montane Extreme jacket, same as the smock but with a zip and hood. Slightly better fit than the Buffalo.
No no no no noSurely thats what credit cards are for?
I would end up 'forgetting' to send the others backSurely thats what credit cards are for?
I have a Paramo jacket which I also use as my winter outer rain layer, I think it's the Helki jacket.I had a buffalo pile too many years ago and found it too warm most of the year and clammy when wet and standing around. It was fantastic on a few optimum occasions that suited it. I sold it on and went over to a layering system.
I also use Paramo clothing. Recently I bought a Velez smock in green - the older model in heavier weight fabric, rather than the brighter and lighter models. This hits the sweet spot for me outside of summer and very warm weather. It’s light if I do need to carry it. No waterproof membrane to puncture on thorns and the like and at a pinch could be repaired in the field with out affecting its performance. It’s easy to wash but doesn’t mind getting a bit grubby. I can vent it with the side zips and open the chest up in warm weather. The hood is lovely to wear all day and the fabric is very quiet and not overly shiny. Not quite the same as as a pile jacket but worth considering.
Yeah I must say the Paramo/Buffalo combo was pretty warm, and generally a merino baselayer is sufficient for most winter situations. Give me Paramo over Gore tex any day of the week though, I've never found Gore tex breathable when I've got a proper sweat on.Blimey you must have been warm with the buffalo underneath!
I had an old paramo ‘fleece’ jacket that was a warm as toast but looked rather like a Victorian smoking jacket. My other half said I looked like a ‘velvet Duke’ wearing it. That was however a great layering system because the jacket in its own right kept a lot of water out.