Conventional layering wisdom requires carrying a fleece in a pack to put on over one’s baselayer, under one’s jacket/ shell.
There are drawbacks:
- A fleece loses most of its insulating power when wet
- Putting on a mid layer means removing one’s outer shell – so sacrificing any benefit gained as body heat is instantly lost and rain is let in
- Often we choose to stay as we are, cold, rather than attempt this manoeuvre in the cold and wet
- In extreme circumstances, alternatives such as survival bags compromise mobility completely.
Páramo’s overlayering alternative is much more practical – simply carry a Torres in the pack for comfort and survival:
- Torres synthetic insulation offers a high warmth-for-weight ratio, can be worn over wet garments, continues to work even in the wet and helps to keep the rain out
- Torres overlayers are very simply put on over whatever you are wearing for immediate benefit, trapping body heat, and not requiring the removal of any layers, minimising your exposure to the cold and wet
- Torres overlayers can buy time – to read a map, to take a photograph, to enjoy the scenery or to stay longer in a hide
- With Torres you stay mobile – able to walk, navigate and use your hands!
“As a follow up to the insulated jacket test in issue 84, we’ve put the five star Torres Smock through an extended round of abuse in cold and damp conditions up in the hills. And we’re happy to report that the Torres has performed perfectly as a quick warmer upper on chilly damp belays, cold rest stops and freezing camp sites. Plus, it’s kept us hot and toasty on the ski slopes and whilst hiking around Alpine bars for a spot of après. We’ve climbed, gone snowshoeing and even slept in a our snow hole dressed in our Páramo smock. It’s warm when wet and more than holds onto its five star Adventure Travel rating.”
Adventure Travel magazine
