If getting active in the mountains at sustained low temperatures is what floats your boat then you’re going to love the Torres Activo from Páramo. It’s lightweight, packable, and offers optimum levels of warmth thanks to its Nikwax Analogy Insulator fabric.
The zipped handwarmer pockets on the Torres Activo are accessible even when you’re wearing a harness, and the whole thing will usefully pack right down into its own internal storage pocket.
“Páramo, if you weren’t already aware, are well into doing things in ways which can be considered ethical and green.”
The easily adjustable fixed hood with a stiffened peak, and excellent insulation, is helmet compatible, and precisely what we want from this type of kit. Those of you who’ve ever worn a jacket with an overbearing, or poorly designed hood will already know how annoying this can be if it’s not done right so kudos to Páramo for nailing it on this front.
The jacket as a whole offers an impressive shield to any cold wind, snow or even rain, whether its worn as a standalone insulator or pulled over your waterproof jacket (it’s specifically cut wide enough to allow this).
This is all thanks to something we mentioned at the start of this review: Nikwax Analogy Insulator. The synthetic fill this brings to the table can be packed down without damage, it’s water repellent thanks to its Nikwax treatment, and if it does get soaked, it’ll still offer a level of insulation.