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 Paramo Fuera Windproof Smock
Manufacture Information
Manufacturer: Paramo
URL: www.Paramo.co.uk
Garment name:
Fuera Smock
Suggested usage:
Hill walking, outdoor activities and multi activities such as biking, climbing and running.
Garment Specification
A lightweight, windproof and rapid drying smock. Ideally combined with a Paramo Cambia base layer or reversible shirt for when breathability and flexibility are more important than total waterproofing.
Garment features
· Designed to combine with other Paramo garments such as Cambia or reversible shirt for temperate days.
· Cuts wind and deflects rain whilst providing excellent moisture vapour transfer.
· Can be treated with Nikwax TX direct to increase repel of water.
· Reflective strip front and back (non reflective piping on moss colour).
· Articulated arms to aid movement and adjustable cuffs for precise fit.
· Front half zip.
· Single hand adjustment hem cord.
· Dual access chest pocket.
· Fully adjustable hood.
· Light weight and bulk.
Fabric
Nikwax Windproof close weave fabric
Average weight
290g (Mine, being XL weighed 305g)
RRP
£50
The first impression of the Fuera smock when removed from its packet was one of disappointment – I was expecting a garment of nice proportions but my initial thought was that it looked very tent like! However, my thoughts on the design have changed with use ….. more of that later!
Upon close inspection, the smock appeared well made, with no loose stitches or other visible problems.
The design:
· The garment is an over the head, traditional, straight cut sides and longer back style garment, with a draw cord hem. The hood is fixed with no
collar. There are also shock cord adjusters on the hood (one on each side
at the front and a single one at the back) and a wired peak to help holds
its shape.
· The
sleeves are designed to be pushed up and can be velcroed to hold them in
place. This, together with the half-length YKK zip does a good job in ventilating
when opened.
· There
is strong reflective piping on the front and back of the smock, except on
the Moss colour, which has plain piping.
Benefits
of the design:
· The
shock cord adjusters on the hood work very well to adjust the hood to your
head shape and help combat the weather conditions.
· The
wired peak helps hold the hood shape.
· The
sleeves can be held in place with Velcro – although I experienced some
difficulty when I tried to push up the sleeves and found that they kept
falling down where the Velcro was not quite aligned correctly.
· The
draw cord hem helps give the smock some much-needed shape and also stops
drafts. As with the other draw cords it’s designed to be operated
single-handed, which is a nice touch.
· Although
I found the smock to be slightly on the large size (which made it more
flappy in wind), it did mean that it was easier to put on/ take off.
After testing the garment for the last several months, I have to say that overall I am very pleased with how the smock performs.
In order to test the smock, I have used it for all sorts of activities: from wearing it to go to work in the car, whilst out shopping around the town, whilst canoeing down the river and wearing it for regular jogging sessions!
The smock’s main function is as a windproof garment, and in that respect I think it works very well. Through my various test scenarios I’ve noted that, in high winds, it does stop the wind from penetrating through, however, if worn over a t-shirt my arms became chilled so I would recommend that a long sleeved shirt be worn underneath.
From my use of wearing the smock whilst exercising, I was surprised at the amount of body heat the smock trapped within. Although I would start with all the vents closed and the zipper fully closed, as I warmed up the vents would be opened! It was especially noticeable that on a cooler summer morning whilst canoeing, I was only able to wear the smock for a short period before I had to remove it and cool down! – I tend to think that a couple of extra vents under the arms would be very beneficial and allow you to wear the smock for longer. As the item is not padded or insulated in any way you do have to dress for the weather underneath to ensure that you are warm enough when you start an activity.
I found the pocket on the front to be of a good size and was able to utilise it well. To give an idea of the size, although it’s long enough to take an A4 sized piece of paper, it’s not quite wide enough. With it’s dual side openings I was able to adequately carry around and access my gloves, hat and phone or GPS.
Turning my attention to how waterproof the garment is, Paramo make no claims of it being waterproof out of the box. I noticed that water tended to bead up on the material initially, and then after a couple of minutes it soaked through to the inside. From when out running wearing it, I tested it in medium to heavy rain and was soaked within 10 – 15 minutes!
Paramo, however, do state that with a Nikwax treatment the smock does become waterproof. To test this claim, I purchased some Nikwax Tech Wash and TX Direct and administered them to the garment and I must say I’m very impressed with the results so far – As before, the rain beads initially but then just runs off rather than soaking in. I haven’t been able to test the proofed smock in a full downpour as yet and I’m not sure how it would perform in such a rainstorm.
Although I don’t think you could rely on it as your primary wet weather gear, I think that, as an emergency or additional coat, it works extremely well with the NikWax waterproof treatment.
Conclusion:
Having used the Fuera for some time, using it in all sorts of circumstances, I have grown to love it.
My first impression of basic and boring have been replaced - I now realise it’s the shape it is because it’s the best shape for a smock!
The material is anything but basic and because it packs so small and weighs very little, it will always make it into my pack and, by the addition of the NikWax treatment, the garment can be utilised through the summer and winter.
On a score out of 10 I’d give it a 9 – my only criticism being that the Velcro on the sleeves does not work as well as I would have hoped when trying to hold the sleeves up.
Reviewed by Mark Aspell
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