Paramo (http://www.paramo.co.uk) is a UK clothing company that makes a unique form of waterproof clothing without coatings or membranes. Paramo also makes base layers, mid layers, and windproof garments, but it is the waterproof clothing that I am interested with here and that lies at the heart of the range.
Paramo was created by Nick Brown, the chemist behind the Nikwax range of proofing and cleaning products. Back in the 1980s Nick had the idea for a new type of waterproof clothing using water repellency and wicking to keep the wearer dry, rather than barrier technology. He thought this system should be far more breathable, comfortable, and versatile than conventional rain wear. His prototypes worked as expected, but no outdoor clothing companies were interested in taking up the idea, so in the early 1990s Nick started Paramo Directional Clothing Systems to make and market the garments.
Paramo is the name of a cold, wet area in the Andes, lying above the timberline and below the snowline where Nick Brown first tested prototype Paramo garments.
ARTICLE OUTLINE
- Introduction & History
- The Theory of Directional Waterproof Clothing
- Paramo in Use
- Care
- Paramo Ethical Manufacturing
- Garments
- CONCLUSION
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# PHOTOS: 6
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Discussion
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That special 6 shirt looks very nice.
I ended up getting two pairs of mitts, as an old trick is to layer a larger size over a normal pair. That reminds me to sew some leashes on to them.
I had a pair years ago but mislaid them.
Did you sell your Paramo VAL or keep it?
"Did you sell your Paramo VAL or keep it?"
Sold it. Wasn't using it. I still have the Cascada trousers, but thinking of selling those as well since I don't use them. I'm not usually hiking in the wet and cold, it's usually one or the other.
Will drop you a mail Doug.
del
Hi Rick,
I have heard the same, and can see it may be an issue.
By the very nature of it's lining I tend to
only wear them when below about 25f, and I don't do any vertical stuff
in Michigan, just hiking, skiing and snowshoeing.
To me it is the perfect winter shell and would have no problems using in moderate rain for a couple of hours. I have used them for a couple of days in the English Lake district in continous rain and had no issues at all. I could see it getting overwhelmed in a torrential Armageddon style downpour though.
I can use them all day long and not overheat by using the outstanding venting.
Not sure if you came across the saying in London yet, but people see Paramo as to be like Marmite, you either love it or hate it.
For me it works great but for others it may not do so.
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