Paramo Explorer Pull-On

Mid-outer layer using Paramo directional fabric. The concept works very well, but the fabric wore out after one outing.

I purchased this product as I was curious to try the Paramo directional fabric. On first impression, the fabric (both sides as it is reversible) looked and felt very nice. The construction looks robust, and the attention to detail is nice.

The design is definitely function driven as it looks very dated and poorly designed from an aesthetic point of view. It is however practical with a chest pocket that opens up from both sides for venting, and its perfectly placed for storing things while your pack is buckled on. It has elasticated cuffs with snaps that roll up (and stay up nicely), and a neck zip that opens up quite low to your chest for venting.

I took this out on a 10-mile hike through some small hills/forests on a mild (12-16 Celcius) day with some cool winds. I immediately got very hot, and covered in sweat, which made me feel quite warm, but I still felt very comfortable in the garment, and the moment I stopped, it was dry within minutes. So in that regard, I am extremely pleased that it worked as advertised.

The downside is that as soon as I took my pack off, I noticed that both my chest strap and hip belt left a lot of rash on the fabric, so much so that it now looks like a shirt I've been wearing for years. It's very dissapointing as this bag has never damaged other shirts, and upon inspection, both belts were entirely smooth. The fabric itself seems to have little to no abbrasion resistance. Which is dissapointing given the cost (80 dollars), and the fact that I quite like the functionality and was looking forward to years of use.

Paramo does have a warranty which covers the function of the garment, but not the look, so out of luck there. I'm writing this review in particular as Paramo is very popular in the UK and there are many glowing reviews for their products (rightfully so in many cases as they make some good stuff, and I do have other Paramo that I am pleased with).

However I feel some do suffer from overly positive outlook, and several reviews I have read prior to purchasing this shirt had it referred to as "bombproof". If I knew it would look tattered after one hike, I would not have spent so much money on it.

So buyer beware. This is an excellent midlayer, but will look like it's 5 years old after one good hike if you use it as an outer.