Introduction
The Paramo Socorro is a very light long-sleeve shirt designed specifically for ladies. The male equivalent is the Paramo Katmai. This review will specifically address the Socorro.
The Paramo Socorro is classified as a “Trek and Travel” style, and it is designed for warmer weather. Key details are as follows:
- Button-down-front;
- Hook & loop closures at the cuffs;
- MSRP $100
- Sizes available: XS, S, M, L, XL
- Average weight (Women’s Medium): 5.3 oz (149 g)
At the time of review, the color and pattern combination shown below is the only one available for the Paramo Socorro.
It offers increased wind and sun protection through a traditional-style collar, and has a UV protection rating exceeding SPF 50 meaning the shirt will block out virtually all harmful rays. The shirt has double buttons across the bust to prevent the exposure caused by a gap. It is designed to afford maximum freedom of movement with articulated shoulders. A center back pleat aids in movement and fit and the shirt also has a flattering scooped hem. It offers temperature control through a lightweight, flexible cuff closure, and low-bulk cuff allows the sleeves to be rolled up for cooling. It is made from a dense fabric weave and the shirt can be secured tightly using the cuff closure both of which aid in keeping insects out. Two spare buttons are provided. A discreet passport sized pocket is included, and there is a small, buttoned chest pocket to hold credit cards or train tickets. It is very quick and easy to wash and dry.
Paramo Socorro Performance
I gave the Paramo Socorro to Sue, my wife, to test; it wouldn’t fit me you see…the ladies’ fit was particularly noticeable. She rather liked it – so much so that she declined to wear it in the field, where it might get a bit hassled by the scrub. She said she preferred to wear it as a nice shirt when not in the field. She said the fabric and the shirt felt very comfortable.
The features listed by Paramo are all reasonable and seemed to be true despite the fact that some of them would be pretty stock standard for any ladies’ shirt. All in all the shirt worked just fine.
If you used this shirt travelling the quick wash and dry feature would be an asset. With the versatility afforded by the sleeves and buttons, we think it could be used across a reasonably wide temperature range.
Summary
The Paramo Socorro fits well and is cared for easily. Whether you would want to wear it in the field – that’s up to you. I can definitely see it being worn while travelling.
I am not sure how this fits in with the rest of Paramo’s ‘directional fabrics,’ but I wanted to share it as it could make a nice present.
Learn more at the official Paramo Clothing website.
Note: Flash Reviews are intended to inform the reader about new and interesting products. Any assessment herein is solely the opinion of the author and is not necessarily based on extensive field performance. Learn more about our product review program here.
Discussion
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Companion forum thread to: Paramo Socorro and Katmai Shirts (Flash Review)
The Soccoro ladies shirt can be used in the field or while traveling, and makes for a nice gift.
No field testing? At all? Sorry Roger, I know flash reviews aren’t supposed to be extensive, but I just don’t see the point in publishing this. There isn’t any information here I couldn’t get from the manufacturer’s blurb.
I think you misunderstand a little. My wife has been wearing the shirt quite a lot, and that is why she likes it – or maybe it is the other way around. Anyhow, it all depends on where or what the ‘field’ is.For a walk along an open track with no chance of scrub – she wore it. For bushbashing through scrub: no. Eh – I often comment that a lot of outdoors gear is aimed at least partly at the ‘outdoors fashion’ market.
She says it was very nice and she likes it.
Cheers
Ok, fair enough I suppose. Does she have any opinions on its moisture handling?
Our primary purpose behind Flash Reviews is to highlight new and interesting gear, and inform people about it. We’ll probably end up changing the category name since “review” is misleading in this context.
Nylon? Polyester? Some miracle fabric?
It breathed well, but she was not climbing mountains.
Fabric? I think it is polyester – but it seems to be microfibre and soft.
Cheers
I have the male version- the Katmai. And i love it for summer trekking. I actually find it surprisingly warm on slightly cooler days in the uk, as the weave is so dense it is essentially windproof. Throwing my Houdini over the top is all i ever really need in summer though. Moisture handling- well it certainly does dry really quickly and always feels cool, somehow. I know Chris Townsend used it on his thru hike of the PNWT and loved it. The cuffs are a brilliant design with velcro and a wide fit so you can easily push up the sleeves. Two things i would change- firstly the pattern. sorry it just doesn’t do anything for me. and secondly i can find that the stitching on the (very usefully sized) pockets can give me ‘runners nipple’. It can be adjusted so as to not be an issue for i don’t know if a better design could resolve the issue all together.
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