Paramo Clothing Ethos
Paramo has been protecting people in the outdoors from the elements since 1992, but that’s not all they do. Here’s a breakdown which sets them apart from a lot of other Outdoor Brands
1992: Páramo was born and production at Creaciones Miquelina in Bogotá, Colombia commences.
1999: Our workshop is established at our East Sussex HQ, enabling the repair and alteration of Páramo garments.
2002: Creaciones Miquelina attains ISO 9001 accreditation, which provides the basis for effective people to deliver effective processes and product/service continually.
2006: Our Trees for Life partnership was seeded, with our charitable donations helping to rewild the Scottish Highlands.
2007: We launched our carbon balancing initiative, working with the World Land Trust to offset operational carbon emissions.
2010: The Ethical Consumer Magazine Best Buy Label is awarded to Páramo.
2012: Our Páramo Recycling Scheme is launched, helping to save clothing from landfill and providing a safe route for the disposal of unwanted garments.
2014: Páramo clothing production becomes guaranteed PFC-free.
2016: We are the first outdoor company to sign on to the Greenpeace Detox commitment, and we are awarded a Guardian Sustainable Business Award.
2017: Miquelina attains guaranteed Fair Trade status from the World Fair Trade Organization.
2021: Páramo is awarded GOLD in The Great Outdoors Magazine Readers Awards, securing 50% of the vote in the Outdoor Clothing and Equipment Brand of the Year category. We also received recognition from readers of Which? Magazine.
2022: Páramo integrates the Miquelina factory into its business, transitions to an Employee Owned Trust, and we celebrate our 30th birthday!
Polarising Opinions
Paramo has polarising opinions, maybe it’s the 80’s inspired colourways they’ve struggled to let go of (which are now coming back into fashion) or that they don’t have a hydrostatic head so how can they possibly be waterproof. One thing is for sure, if you do a mountain leader course or ever have to call for help on the hill your tutor or saviour has chosen to be wearing a Paramo Jacket.
So let’s clear a few things up…
What’s the Hydrostatic Head of a Paramo?
Where Gore-Tex has become synonymous with Waterproof, the Hydrostatic head has become the measure. Paramo does not have a Hydrostatic head but all this means is water pressed against it with force will get through. Like when you sit in a puddle, so try not to!
Outdoor professionals choose Paramo over many Gore-Tex, Per-tex… membranes because if water gets past the initial Nikwax Windproof fabric, which is a treatable water resistant material, the Analogy Pump Liner will send it packing. The Analogy Pump Liner transfers liquid from inside to outside, whereas Gore-Tex only transfers water vapour.
Unlike Gore-Tex it is third party tested in the Leeds University Rain Room. For at least four hours the material is exposed to 15mm per hour with varying droplet sizes. That’s roughly five times the intensity of normal heavy rain in the UK.Gore-Tex has its place, I just prefer Paramo in Wales… clearly!
Do Paramo’s only work when you’re active?
This is where Paramo excels beyond a conventional membrane waterproof. Since water passes through your jacket, not vapour.
We create moisture when we get our sweat on from stomping up a hill and some of it will be in the form of water vapour. This is when Gore-Tex works well. However when we stop or should we get cold, then that vapour condenses and breathable membranes no longer work as they can’t disperse the moisture.
Paramo as we now know wicks water, in liquid form, via the pump liner and down the outside of the jacket. When we are warm (in this country UK) most of our sweat is in liquid form, so when we stop working hard any moisture that is inevitably left is still wicked away and we’re dry again.
How often do I need to waterproof my Paramo?
You do need to wash them more often than a conventional waterproof jacket but your efforts will be rewarded with a jacket that will outlast said conventional waterproof. Chances are if you’ve used it outdoors it would be dirty enough to warrant a wash anyway… So reach for the Nikwax; Green to Clean, Purple to Proof. Wash as often as you like and only proof it when it starts to look waterlogged and not beading the water… too much proofing will negatively affect the breath-ability.
What’s the fit like with a Paramo?
Traditionally Paramo clothing has been a longer, looser fit since it was made for comfort whilst hiking or hill walking. With the introduction of the Paramo Enduro an Athletic Fit has been introduced to the range, to suit a younger audience. So check the fit before you buy, there’s options to suit; choose the easy fit for a more generous fit or the Athletic Fit for something that more closely follows the body’s contours.
Take a look at Paramo’s Size Guide
What’s the Weight of a Paramo?
It’s all too easy to compare numbers, and if you’re hanging a hardshell on the scales then you should add a fleece layer too. That’s because a Paramo Enduro Jacket, like many of their clothing systems, keeps you warm and dry.
Adding to their heavyweight status are their numerous features, pockets, vents, hood stows, drawcords… these all contribute to your level of comfort but come with a weight penalty. So it really comes down to what you’re looking for or rather what you’re looking to do. Can you fit your necessaries in your jacket or what size pack do you need to add the scales.
Paramo doesn’t do lightweight packable waterproofs. They do a fleece and windproof combo, which creates a lightweight waterproof that will deal with summer showers however it will struggle with heavy rain.
Wrapping things up.
I clearly like Paramo, their outrageous colourways transcend trends, their ethics are inspiring and their gear works bloody well. If you’re looking to stomp about the hills, mountains and coastal paths all year round then Paramo is the right choice, the best choice. Simply put; Paramo is for people who don’t want the weather to stop the fun.
