Problem with paramo

[dirty ben]

Hi all,just after a bit of advice on paramo clothing,i went on my first solo camp a few weeks ago on dartmoor,forecast was for a few showers and temps around 6 degrees which i know to take with a pinch of salt,well it turned for the worse and it chucked down two severe hailstone storms and temps down to minus two,and i decided to call it a day and come home as all the paths were flooded and the cows looked a bit angry,when i took off my pack and jacket(velez adventure light)i found i was pretty wet around my pack straps on my shoulders,my jacket is fairly new and has been washed and reproofed properly is this a common fault with the pump liner that it does not work when compressed or am i fat unfit oaf with sweaty shoulders

tip tap tapping away

 

[Barn Owl]

Never had one but i'd think it was because of compression, need to remember that any product can only do so much.
Wouldn't worry mate.

 

[Limaed]

I agree with Barn Owl about the compression. I wear Aspira Salopettes 'on the hill' and if you kneel in a puddle the water pushes through. It's worth remembering that when it's lashing down your jacket is trying to push more moisture into air that is already saturated. The Paramo gear is IMO still more comfortable, wicks better and is warmer than the alternative membranes like Gore-Tex, however no system is perfect.

 

[Jackdaw]

Just had to check whether Paramo actually describe the Velex Adventure Light as waterproof and it turns out they do.

I certainly would never call any of my Paramo clothing waterproof. They certainly are much better at keeping me comfortable in the field than any of my other outdoor clothing, but unlike say my triple layer waterproof jacket, which is about as breathable as a crisp packet when I get moving, it won't keep me dry when I stand still.

It's fairly common to get wet around the shoulders. Mine did straight off the shelf, but I was certainly much more comfortable than I have ever been in another waterproof. Just wish the Adventure Light had been out when I bought mine as I rarely wear it due to how hot I run it.

 

[dirty ben]

It has been my most breathable jacket by far and different reviews i have read do say that if jacket is compressed it will not work,not much good for camping/hiking when carrying a rucksack on the plus side it does say that it will dry out clothes once the compression has been removed

tip tap tapping away

 

[Shewie]

I suffer from exactly the same problem with mine Ben, any areas under compression just wet out. Tops of shoulders, upper back, chest if I have a strap across.

Paramo fans are a funny bunch though, they won't hear a bad word against it despite the "issues". I had a long debate with a couple of die harders in a bothy earlier in the year, even though they both came through the door looking like drowned rats they were still singing its praises. For total protection I take either a Rab eVent smock or an Active Shell jacket.

I still use mine if I'm carrying a light pack or none at all, they great for autumn/winter walking but not my choice if I'm expecting heavy downpours.

 

[Teepee]

+1 on whats been said. A Paramo will never stop water seeping through the straps.

2 ways to help deal with this- wear a wide brimmed hat, modify a pack cover so the pack straps are sheltered/covered.

IME, 15-30 mins is all my Quito needs to fully dry out if I'm warm, out of the rain and not sweating.

IMHO, this downside is far outweighed by the benefits of the system.


Agreed with Shewie though, if its proper wet and the air is constantly saturated-a shell makes more sense.

 

[dirty ben]

I suppose as long as your base layer is quick drying then you are ok?

tip tap tapping away

 

[Shewie]

I suppose as long as your base layer is quick drying then you are ok?

tip tap tapping away

I tend to wear wool layers year round but I do dry out once I'm under shelter, my Velez does dry out fairly quick though. If it gets chucked in the corner of the tent wet through it'll be damp in the morning but dries out in no time once you get warmed up.

Mine is a lump though, the Velez Adventure offers a lot of warmth so you could say a mid layer could be dropped. I prefer to take separate layers though and wear as required, that's something the Velez can't offer. If it's a warm winters day in the full sun, I like to walk in a base layer with a light windshirt over the top, if I stop I can add a down smock or an extra fleece.

 

[dirty ben]

Im hoping to wild camp all over the winter and last thing i want is to be damp especially if Im doing multiple nights.
Ps i am pretty experienced wild camper,just not overly confident in my velez

tip tap tapping away

 

[oldtimer]

My Paramo Cascada is the best all round jacket I have ever had in over 60 years. But then that is what I want, an all-round jacket. As is frequently said on these pages, one thing will never be the best in every circumstaces, be it knife, tarp, cookpot or jacket. If like, me you want only one of anything there will always be a compromise.
I know from posts on the site that there are those who prefer to have the right tool for the job in any situation. For me the problem is that this requires, first buying, and then taking, a lot of kit. My aim is to have the minimum number of toosl with the maximum range of use. This is because circumstances can change while on a journey. In my case this is either a multi-day trek on foot, or a journey, usually in Europe over three seasons. My kit suits the way I live: but it probably won't suit you.
I am sure though that the right jacket is the most important tool for outdoor living and it is vital to get it right.

 

[Nonsuch]

Paramo doesn't work compressed. Try wearing one under a buoyancy aid on a long wet canoe trip - horrible! I had a similar experience backpacking in the lakes with my old Velez smock - never again! soaked through and still soaking the next morning. Also, too hot in warm rain. I have now off-loaded all my Paramo stuff except the Fuera smock, which I still rate highly, and gone back to Goretex.

In fact, I think the Velez is great as a mid-layer - warm, windproof, wicks well. It's just that, if I still owned it, I would put Goretex over the top when the rain set in

 

[charliefoxtrot]

*cough*.. poncho..*cough*

The local Paramo specialist (Milnthorpe) seems to have a clientele who are almost entirely retired people, who I very much doubt potter much further than 200yds from the car park on their days out..

 

[Aristotle]

I'm not retired.

My Velez Adventure Light is a great bit of kit. It is very comfortable, breathes really well and keeps the rain out. I wear mine a lot.
-Much more pleasant than a wetted-out membraned jacket for most activities.

I think I'd be tempted to take a light poncho or top half of a poncho with me to put over my shoulders and top of the bag if I was doing a multi-day trek with a heavy pack.

 

[dirty ben]

Slightly off topic but has anyone tried the reversible paramo base layers

tip tap tapping away

 

[Shewie]

Slightly off topic but has anyone tried the reversible paramo base layers

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I had their Mountain Pull-on for a while, I got rid though as I wasn't keen on the tight cuffs (and I've got girly wrists) and the outer didn't feel great against the skin. I switched to a Rab Powerstretch top and despite not being reversible I really rate it

 

[dirty ben]

I am a massive fan of lidl's base layer its super warm and the pattern makes me look like i have muscles

tip tap tapping away

 

[Nonsuch]

I have a couple of the reversible Paramo base layers and I really don't like them. Not only do you look like a refugee from the USS Enterprise, but they get saturated and stay that way. I had a particularly bad experience on a wet backpacking trip, having teamed the mountain pullover with my Velez smock. Horribly wet and cold the whole trip.

 

[dirty ben]

Not a happy bunny,did a wild camp this weekend and my velez sprung more leaks than the titanic,agreed it is very breathable but so is a string vest and just as waterproof

tip tap tapping away