Softshell Jackets

Páramo Ostro Windproof Jacket | Review

A super-light windproof jacket that'll suit all kinds of different outdoor activity. There are some excellent eco efforts going on here as well...

Why We Chose It: Lightweight, versatile and eco-friendly
Price: €120
Weight: 116g

The Páramo Ostro Windproof is a lightweight windproof and breathable layer for high tempo adventures. It’s one of those jackets that you’ll end up taking on just about every single excursion outdoors, whether that’s a trek into the backcountry or a quick cycle to pick up some milk. At a glance it might look like just a simple windbreaker, but after using this for about 6 months now, I’d say there’s much more than meets the eye.

What’s The Páramo Ostro Best Suited To?

Trail running, hiking, climbing, road cycling, mountain biking. This thing’s just made for everything and not even in a jack of all trades master of one kind of way. I’ve worn this as a windbreaking layer while cycling to work, I’ve taken it backpacking through the Brecon Beacons, I’ve run my local trails in it and it’s also been a great layer to whip out during evening’s out in a pub beer garden. It’s been perfect for all manner of situations.

The Features

Superlight jackets tend to have very basic hoods but I wouldn’t say that’s the case here with the one on the Ostro. It’s helmet-friendly and has a useful adjustment toggle at the back for when you really want to cinch it in. There’s also a peak on the front.

There are two ventilation zips on the lower torso that double as handwarmer pockets. To rest your hands, you need to find the little fabric slits on the inside of the jacket. I wouldn’t totally advise stowing things like your phone or wallet in these as there’s a chance they could fall out.

The cuffs are elasticated but you do get a toggled drawcord at the hem if you want to lock in heat. Other details include little reflective details (handy for those night runs or cycles) and the long one-way main zip which has a beard guard at the top and a mini internal storm flap.

Why We Chose The Páramo Ostro Windproof For Our Green Gear Guide

We chose it mainly because it offers lightweight water repellent protection without the nasty PFCs that many windproof jackets will come with. PFCs are environmentally hazardous substances which are massively persistent in the environment. Studies have even shown that some PFCs can accumulate in living organisms such as the livers of polar bears in the Arctic and in human blood.

Instead of using that nasty stuff, the Ostro comes pre-treated with Nikwax, a hydrophobic solution that works brilliantly. We’re big fans of it at Outdoors Magic. Once this Nikwax starts to wear out, it’s super, super easy to just reapply it yourself at home.

Páramo’s green ethos doesn’t stop with its water repellent coating either. The 100% polyester used here is fully recyclable, and it is ethically made too, thanks to the brand’s long-standing manufacturing partnership with the Miquelina Foundation in Bogotá, Colombia.

Performance

First up, this thing is just ridiculously packable. I love the fact I can stash it in the pocket of my shorts just in case I might want a windbreaker when out hiking, trail running or cycling. The breathability really is excellent as well, so it’s perfect for any higher tempo stuff in cooler temperatures.

Durability-wise, I haven’t ripped or snagged it yet, though I wouldn’t want to put it through too much. I’d recommend going for the Fuera Classic Smock if you want the same lightweight breathability but something that’ll be able to hack, say, a season of climbing.

The Nikwax treatment helps the fabric to see off any light rain and it also massively speeds up the drying time. There’s then the option to combine this with Páramo’s Ostro Fleece if you want to see out any rougher stuff. How rough then? Well, Paramo call it a waterproof system, but I don’t think that’s the right word for it. In really heavy and prolonged rainfall, I’ve found water does soak through. The thing is though, as soon as that rain eases, the Nikwax treatment causes the fabrics to dry out super quickly, so you’re not actually left feeling saturated for the rest of the day. You don’t get that clammy feeling that you get when wearing jackets with waterproof membranes either.

The Ostro Windproof with the Ostro Fleece underneath. Photo: Chris Johnson

I’ve found myself using the two layers as my main form of rain protection on most of my backpacking trips over the last few months. That said, I’ve always brought a super lightweight membrane jacket with me as well for backup and I’d be a bit nervous without that reassurance.

Conclusion

Good articulation, a smart look and cut. That amazing packability and low weight. Excellent breathability, reliable windproofing and then those eco creds. There’s certainly a lot to like about the Ostro and it’s served me very well for all manner of activities these last few months. I think it’s likely to continue to do so for a good while too.

More info: paramo-clothing.com