This recycling is a last resort, as the jacket is built to last in the first place, with a construction that’s tough, repairable and entirely free from glued seams, membranes or taped linings. Most issues can be fixed at home with basic sewing skills, or if needed, Páramo offer professional repairs – including full panel replacements – at fair prices.

If a jacket truly reaches the end of its wearable life, Páramo will take it back, give you a £50 voucher, and either refurbish it for resale, reuse parts in other garments, or recycle the fabric chemically.

There’s also the ethical side of things that we admire here. Each Halkon 360° is made at the Miquelina Foundation in Bogotá, Colombia – a Fair Trade-certified initiative that provides training, employment, and support to women vulnerable to poverty or exploitation.

Is It Waterproof?

Páramo, in case you’re not already familiar with the brand, do waterproof protection a bit differently. Their unique Nikwax Analogy fabric system doesn’t rely on a membrane like most waterproofs. Instead, it uses a clever two-layer construction that mimics the way animal fur works: moving moisture away from the body while keeping external water out. The result is a jacket that offers reliable protection from rain while also managing sweat effectively, giving you excellent breathability and fast drying.

A key part of the system is the Nikwax hydrophobic treatment. The jacket comes pre-treated, and this coating will hold up well over time, but it will eventually need reproofing. Fortunately, the process is quick and easy to do at home using Nikwax products. (You can check out my guide on how to wash and reproof your waterproof in this step-by-step.)

I’ve used this jacket on some very rainy walks and it’s kept me protected and comfortable. There is a threshold, however. In extremely heavy and persistent rain, you are likely to start to feel some ingress. On one very wet day in the Welsh mountains wearing the Halkon, I did start to notice some dampness around my shoulders after about four hours of exposure. But once the rain eased, I noticed that my internal climate dried up very quickly. That’s the thing about Páramo’s systems; they keep you feeling comfortable even in our moist and clammy climate here in the UK.

Details

Páramo’s hoods always impress me. They tend to have a big mouldable peak that offers a lot of coverage, and there’s plenty of adjustment that gives you volume when you need it and a close, reliable hold when the wind picks up. Thankfully, nothing’s changed here. It’s an excellent performer – reliable, comfortable, and it can be rolled up and secured to create a collar too.

Then there are the pockets – all 14 of them. These include comfortable zipped handwarmers, OS map-sized pockets on the chest, a mini pocket on the breast that I’ve found ideal for keeping a whistle close to hand, and pockets on the arms that I’ve found to be the right size for a compass. Inside the jacket, there are large zipped pockets that are ideal for gloves or for keeping a guidebook out of the elements, and there’s one on the inside chest that I’ve been using to keep my phone secure.

There are so many pockets here, in fact, that I’ve actually found that if I’ve ever misplaced a small item, I’ll usually find it tucked away within the Halkon!

Other details I like on this jacket include the venting zips on the arms, the glove-friendly zipper tabs, the two-way zip (which creates another ventilation option), and the very comfortable fleecy lining on the collar.

Finally, I like how protective the main closure of the jacket is. It has an internal buttoned-down storm flap, a zip, and then an external buttoned-down storm flap too. Bombproof – though you can get an idea why this weighs 894g now!

Fit

I’m 5 foot 10 and I have a fairly average build. I normally wear jackets in a size M, which is what I’ve got this in. For me, the fit has been spot on. I wouldn’t want to size up or down. I’ve mainly worn it over a light fleece, but there’s enough volume to accommodate a chunkier one when I need the extra insulation.

It’s cut quite long, which might not suit those who like an alpine-style cut to their jackets. I personally have come to appreciate jackets with longer cuts like this as they offer just that extra bit of protection and they stay nicely below a backpack hipbelt. I also like the fact this has adjustment around the waist and at the hem as it keeps the jacket feeling aerodynamic in strong winds while also helping to lock in warmth when you need it. 

Verdict

The Páramo Halkon 360 earned its place in our Greener Gear Guide because it genuinely pushes the boundaries of sustainable outdoor gear. Unlike many brands that just tweak their materials, Páramo’s 360 circularity project is a full rethink.

It’s this combination of serious sustainability, ethical manufacturing, and solid performance that makes the Halkon 360 stand out. OK, the price tag is high – this is an expensive jacket, for sure. But it showcases some very high-spec design at least, and is built to last – I can see this lasting a long, long time.

Who will like it? It’s on the heavy and thick side, so it’s not going to suit anyone looking for a jacket that can use in the warmer months, particularly for any strenuous pursuits like hillwalking. It should suit those looking for a dependable option for harsh winter days though. More generally, I think it suits slower paced activities, with a lot of traits that birdwatchers, gardeners, dog walkers and hunters will appreciate. 

Price: £650
Weight: 894g

Buy The Páramo Halkon 360 : £650 at Paramo-clothing.com​