Reviews

Páramo Torres Smock | Review

A rugged companion for unforgiving conditions. Find out how the Páramo Torres Smock performed during our tests in the Scottish Highlands.

The Páramo Torres Smock is a serious winter layer. It’s the kind of thing for, quite simply, the worst of weather – I’m talking conditions that are very wet and very cold.

It’s filled with 133gsm of synthetic insulation that brings lofty warmth to the table while it also uses Páramo’s unique wet weather system involving water resistant and quick drying fabrics combined with Nikwax’s hydrophobic solution.

I’ve been using it in the Scottish Highlands recently, including on some very wet walks in Glen Nevis and at Glencoe. Here’s how I got on with it.

What Is The Torres Smock Best Suited To?

This is the kind of garment I’d want to have with me on those days when you know the conditions are just going to be merciless all day long. If you’re someone who has to be out all day in rough conditions as part of your job, this is going to make your work that bit easier. You’ll also benefit from it if you’re one of those mad people who willingly venture out into bad weather for pleasure.

It weighs 1.6kg and it’s on the bulky side so it’s not the most packable of jackets (though I have still found I can get it in most of my daypacks) As such, it’s not really an ideal jacket for those days where it might spend a lot of time being carried in your pack.

Will Renwick using the Páramo Torres Smock in the Highlands. Photos: Dave Macfarlane

Fit

From what I gather, the Torres Smock is designed to be something that you can throw on quickly for instant warmth and protection, be that over your baselayers or even over your waterproof jacket. This explains the fit, which is quite loose, with plenty of room to accommodate other layers.

This is a unisex design that’s available in XS through to XXL. I’m 5 foot 10, I have an average build, and I tried the Torres Smock in a size Medium, which is my usual size.

While it did feel a little boxy, it still fitted, offering my desired length at the hem and on the arms. I wore it with a thick fleece underneath and it still fitted fine and didn’t hinder my movement. Even when reaching up for holds while scrambling, I didn’t feel restricted and the articulation felt good.

Performance

In case you’re not already familiar with the Analogy system that’s deployed in many of Páramo’s garments, the main thing you need to know is that while it’s not technically fully waterproof, it is highly water resistant and it’s also very breathable because, unlike with membrane-lined jackets, moisture is allowed to move out through the fabrics to be absorbed into the atmosphere. Combined here with a highly water resistant synthetic insulation, the Torres Smock really does make for a very storm repelling garment.

The hood helps here too. Páramo, from my experience, know how to make a properly protective hood, and there’s no change here. It has three-way adjustment, a stiffened peak that can be moulded to your preference and it’s lined with 60gsm of insulation.

On one day during my tests, I was out in heavy and persistent rain for a number of hours and I stayed dry within this. By the end of the day, the jacket had absorbed a bit of moisture but it hadn’t got through to me, and when the rain relented, it dried up amazingly quickly.

Other details

The hood has a Velcro tab on the top of it that, with the help of an inner hanging loop at the back of your neck, allows you to convert the hood into a collar. Storage-wise, you’ve got a large zipped chest pocket for secure storage of things like a phone, compass or GPS and then a huge pocket that’s accessible from both sides for keeping your hands warm or stashing an OS map or gloves.

The main zip is two-way so you can use it for venting, while the cuffs are also designed so that you can open them right up to allow airflow or even roll them up to your elbows to get fresh air onto your arms. You can also expect reflective details for night time visibility and adjustment at the hem.

Conclusion

While it’s a little chunky and heavy for carrying for long spells in a backpack, this thing does offer some excellent protection from the elements and there are certainly situations where I could see myself being very glad to have it. Also, I know it’s not specifically made for skiing and snowboarding, but I can see it as being very handy for those kinds of pursuits.

There are some good sustainability aspects too. The hydrophobic treatment, for instance, is PFC-free and earth kind, and there’s also the fact that the jacket has been designed to be highly durable and easy to repair, whether that’s a minor adjustment while in the field or by Páramo’s dedicated repair experts. I’ve got a couple of Páramo garments that I’ve owned for almost 10 years now and I can confirm that they really air built to last.