Paramo Taiga Fleece

Super warm and very soft and comfortable jacket with a silk-like lining and lots of pockets.

Fit and comfort is great. It's not too tight and you can easily fit an extra layer underneath, though I tend to use it with just one tee shirt or base layer under.

It has a high collar and good zip and front poppers on the zip and wrists so as to keep all the nasty wind out and with the drawcord waist it's easy to cinch it in around the midriff to keep very toasty. It has a super soft feel to it and is noiseless, so it's great for wildlife observations.

It is not waterproof but will resist a shower and in UK where I am from we have high humidity, especially in autumn and winter, but not necessarily rain: this garment is superb for that. Should it rain however, I combine it with the Paramo Fuera windproof jacket to create a fully waterproof shell and since the windproof is almost weightless it's a simple light and useful item in my pack.

I would say however that buying the attachable hood for the Taiga Fleece is a must as I found that rain drizzled through the hood of the windproof (which can't resist heavy rain) and down the collar of the fleece. The Taiga is great for colder days when walking, but I found it too hot for hikes in weather much above about 7 or 8 degrees centigrade; even with just the base layer underneath.

Having said that it is super breathable and I wear it around town and when traveling where I don't have to exert myself too much. The hand-warming pockets are not really suitable for a harness but I can just about manage to get my hands in when I wear my rucksack waist belt, so it's not so much of a problem and all the pockets are generous—chest pocket, napoleon pocket, and two waist pockets.

I've had this jacket for a year now and love it its soft durable looks, great on the hill and around town, and in combination with the wind jacket does me well on wet and windy days without having to wear heavy crinkly hard shells.

Paramo gear is not cheap, but the quality is superb and will last a long time with regular reproofing and maintenance. For me, as a long distance path man and for occasional mountain walks or for getting in the boat it's perfect.