Paramo v Goretex

[Arthurs Eat]

I'm considering buying a paramo alta3. is nikwax analogy better than goretex? Discuss!

[TheCoosTail]

I had a Paramo Velez Smock which never ever let me down. However, I run a bit warm and found I couldn't use it all year round. I also wanted to try and lighten my carrying weight a little. I now have a Mountain Equipment Lhotse (Gore-Tex Pro) which is the best jacket I've ever owned. I suppose it's down to the individual.

[HalfManHalfTitanium]

Paramo is extraordinary.

I'm not a fan of brands, and it's an individual thing. But...

For me, Paramo has made the old layering system (and the weight that goes with it) a thing of the past.

Summer or winter, I just get by with one thin merino top (Aldi's finest) and a paramo smock. That's it. No fleeces, no layers.

- If I warm up, I stow the smock.
- If I'm working hard but it's also windy, I stow the merino and just wear the smock alone
- When I reach the summit and, it's cool and breezy, I put both on.
- In winter I just zip everything up on the smock. I've sometimes taken a second merino, just for psychological comfort, but never needed it, not even when belaying in coire an t-sneachda in winter.[/list]

Never tried Goretex, not needed to.

[Marty_JG]

I went for Gore Tex as I don't have a lot of money to burn. Army surplus Grade 1 (faultless) Gore Tex jacket & trousers for a tenner each; gaiter pair, hat and mitten pair a fiver each. Full-on head to toe to hand protection for under £40. Got unissued Softpak trousers & jacket too for winter for £30 for the pair. Synthetic, so a bulkier and heavier than down, but also better able to resist the Scottish weather.

The downside?



Suffice to say I'm avoiding berets or "tactical" glasses.

[Iainm]

I went for Gore Tex as I don't have a lot of money to burn. Army surplus Grade 1 (faultless) Gore Tex jacket & trousers for a tenner each; gaiter pair, hat and mitten pair a fiver each. Full-on head to toe to hand protection for under £40. Got unissued Softpak trousers & jacket too for winter for £30 for the pair. Synthetic, so a bulkier and heavier than down, but also better able to resist the Scottish weather.

The downside?



Suffice to say I'm avoiding berets or "tactical" glasses.

Nothing like head to toe camo to assist a mountain rescue team should they ever need to find you.

As for Paramo v goretex, I have used paramo cascada trousers for a few years now and I couldn't imagine going back to hardshell waterproofs. I've invested in my first paramo jacket for this winter. A paramo enduro, can't wait to try it out.

I get quiet sweaty, even in winter, so I've always found that I get soaked from the inside and stay damp with Goretex.

[Marty_JG]

Nothing like head to toe camo to assist a mountain rescue team should they ever need to find you.

Don't all rescue helicopters these days have FLIR (forward-looking infrared) thermal imaging cameras? And I certainly carry a sturdy flash-capable lantern.

But if it's an issue just stick a high-viz on top.

[Iainm]

Nothing like head to toe camo to assist a mountain rescue team should they ever need to find you.

Don't all rescue helicopters these days have FLIR (forward-looking infrared) thermal imaging cameras? And I certainly carry a sturdy flash-capable lantern.

But if it's an issue just stick a high-viz on top.

They do indeed, but rescue helicopters are a luxury that is not always available.

Last winter I saw a woman fall 150m down an icy hillside. At the point she came to a stop, in her dark clothing she was indistinguishable from the numerous rocky outcrops breaking through the snow around her. Had she not been seen falling, chances are nobody would ever notice she was there. Fortunately for her it was a clear sunny day and a few people witnessed the incident and MR were called. She was in no fit state to whip on a high vis top or do anything to attract attention to her position. You might think it over the top, but since that incident I would never consider going out into the hills dressed in a way that may reduce the chance of being spotted should anything happen.

[Marty_JG]

Sounds like the incident you described relied on witnesses, without them she's have been unconscious in the cold regardless of her clothing.

As I say, if it's an issue for you then you can put a high viz vest on top, they're a couple of quid and shouldn't affect your walking performance. That applies to army camo or to the more "muted" colours (greens, blues, greys, blacks) that are also very common colours for walker clothing.

[teaandpies]

I'm considering buying a paramo alta3. is nikwax analogy better than goretex? Discuss!

If you're under 40 then is Gortex

sense of humour is aloud on this site

[EileanB]

I'm firmly in the Paramo camp, I love all my Paramo gear and wouldn't go back. But I do have a very light goretex jacket that stuffs into a little bag at the bottom of my rucksack in high summer.
But I am over 40, and I rate being warm dry and comfortable over appearance!

[nathan79]

Not better, not worse just different. I've always stuck with alternatives when it comes to waterproofs but I'd never rule Paramount out. They have more options than just the sack-of-spuds fit they used to specialise in. I've got two of their windproofs, one ~4/5 years old, one from this year. The older one is in as good condition as the new so their outer fabric is good hardy stuff (if less breathable than for example pertex).

[Arthurs Eat]

I went for Gore Tex as I don't have a lot of money to burn. Army surplus Grade 1 (faultless) Gore Tex jacket & trousers for a tenner each; gaiter pair, hat and mitten pair a fiver each. Full-on head to toe to hand protection for under £40. Got unissued Softpak trousers & jacket too for winter for £30 for the pair. Synthetic, so a bulkier and heavier than down, but also better able to resist the Scottish weather.

The downside?



Suffice to say I'm avoiding berets or "tactical" glasses.

Lol! We've probably met, its just I didn't see you Well done for getting that amount of kit so cheaply

[Arthurs Eat]

I went for Gore Tex as I don't have a lot of money to burn. Army surplus Grade 1 (faultless) Gore Tex jacket & trousers for a tenner each; gaiter pair, hat and mitten pair a fiver each. Full-on head to toe to hand protection for under £40. Got unissued Softpak trousers & jacket too for winter for £30 for the pair. Synthetic, so a bulkier and heavier than down, but also better able to resist the Scottish weather.

The downside?



Suffice to say I'm avoiding berets or "tactical" glasses.

Nothing like head to toe camo to assist a mountain rescue team should they ever need to find you.

As for Paramo v goretex, I have used paramo cascada trousers for a few years now and I couldn't imagine going back to hardshell waterproofs. I've invested in my first paramo jacket for this winter. A paramo enduro, can't wait to try it out.

I get quiet sweaty, even in winter, so I've always found that I get soaked from the inside and stay damp with Goretex.

Cheers

[Arthurs Eat]

I'm considering buying a paramo alta3. is nikwax analogy better than goretex? Discuss!

If you're under 40 then is Gortex

sense of humour is aloud on this site

Thank you, perhaps I'm really thinking 'should I 'retire' from goretex' !

[Arthurs Eat]

Not better, not worse just different. I've always stuck with alternatives when it comes to waterproofs but I'd never rule Paramount out. They have more options than just the sack-of-spuds fit they used to specialise in. I've got two of their windproofs, one ~4/5 years old, one from this year. The older one is in as good condition as the new so their outer fabric is good hardy stuff (if less breathable than for example pertex).

Cheers Nathan