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| Paramo Torres Smock |
As you'd expect from Paramo, this thing is a bit of a beast. The outer layer (same as the one used on the Paramo Fuera) is extremely hard-wearing and durable. It will go through brambles and other mere mortal things without fear basically. The inner is 100g of their proprietary Analogy Insulator which is also a very breathable water-drawing fabric that will move moisture away from the inside of the fabric and transport it to the outer. Magic.
However the pay-off for this hardcore bit of kit is the weight. If you compare the Torres with for example the Montane Flux, you'll find it's 800g as opposed to the Flux's 550. OK it's not that much but it's a significant whack more, especially as the synthetic layer Montane Ice Guide with 210g of Primaloft Eco fill is only 635g. But this is because of the durable nature of the Paramo fabric.
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| Me wearing the Torres. I'm wearing a regular medium t-shirt under and I have an athletic build. Not that you'd realise this from the box style 'fit' of the Torres which makes me look fat! Notice how my t-shirt is poking out from underneath. The Torres smock is not long and there's no drop tail at the back. |
The, er, 'design' of the Torres won't win any awards for anything except 'box fit' of the year. But then again, we know this about Paramo. In fact I think only their recent Helki jacket can be described as having any kind of fitted design from Paramo's entire range... It is very boxy and functional. (*Note this was true at the time of writing - Paramo have since released some more 'fitted' style jackets)
Unlike the Flux, there is no drop tail at the back for example. Unlike the Flux, the sleeves don't have any velcro on them, instead relying on an elasticated cuff.
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| Elasticated cuff on the Torres Smock |
The waist of the Torres has a toggle drawcord to lock the warmth in. The fabric you can see is the inner insulated fabric.
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| Torres hem drawcord and insulating inside layer |
There is a half zip to enable you to get the top on and off, as well as being there for venting. This is one advantage of the box fit - the waist is so big it helps with venting! There is also a top pocket for something like a phone, although this isn't a venting pocket. There is one further mesh pocket on the inside of the Torres (underneath the top pocket). This is probably to stash things like baselayer/liner gloves etc. The main (two) zips, zip both ways to give you venting options which is helpful.
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| The two-way zips on the smock and top pocket |
The Paramo Torres smock has an oversized hood which is more than capable of going on top of a helmet. The hood is huge! Fortunately it has a couple of drawcords either side of the hood (as you can see in the first picture below). There is also a drawcord on the top of the hood which cinches things down and I've found that you need! (See lower picture).
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| Hood of the Torres Smock, with wired peak |
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| Back of the smock (camera has got colour wrong). Notice the top drawcord which has been tightened |
In practice, I've used this on cold winters on Dartmoor, on top of fells like Coniston when it was blowing an absolute hoolie (I nearly lost the thing putting it on with winds of over 60mph as you commonly get up around there) and elsewhere. It's performed pretty well and has been very breathable too. When it rains, the movement of moisture from inner to outer is just phenomenal. I also treat it with Nikwax TX Direct wash-in.
On a recent trip to Scafell from Eskdale in 5 degree C temps and a fair old wind on a claggy, low cloud drizzling day, one of our team got cold and two of them headed down. I took a decision to go back down (hey the views would have been awful anyway!!) and I was glad I had done so as my friend's waterproof had wetted through and so her fleece was beginning to get a bit wet and she was getting a bit worryingly cold. I got her to take off her waterproof and stash it on her pack (actually it's my pack, think she still has it...!) Anyhoo on went the Torres smock which was very oversized for her petite figure but it really did the trick as we moved and really helped her warm up while keeping her dry on the inside.
For me as someone who gets pretty cold when I stop, the Torres actually wouldn't be enough in pretty cold and long stops, or actual belaying. For others it would be too much insulation. So decide what you need and what your priorities are... The Torres would be ideal for you if you need a breathable, heavyweight, durable over layer. It fits over your gear without any problems being designed to do that. I actually managed to put my down jacket on underneath the Torres Smock !!!
Final pic is the Torres next to my Montane Flux. Hard to see but the Flux is way more fitted and definitely more flattering !!
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| Montane Flux (left) and Paramo Torres Smock (right) |
Update from December 2014... The Torres in action on a gale force style snow and hail storm on Dartmoor making easy work of the crazy weather and the hailstones! Great jacket when you don't need to worry about weight and need something pretty hardcore.
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