Jackets: many a hikers views. (Jackets - General)

Member Name: goldenchild

Product:	Jackets - General
Date:	01/12/00 (151 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Paramo - lasts for ever. Triple point - Waterproofness. Gore tex - Breathability

Disadvantages: Paramo - A few unhappy customers. Triple point - The heaviest of the jackets. Gore tex - Wore out too quickly

As someone who used to work in an outdor shop I often heard the opinions of many walkers about the jackets that were on the market. As an avid hiker myself I often listened to these views and then bought my jackets accordingly. With dooyoo I thought I could pass on the views of dozens of walkers, so here goes.

PARAMO.

Generally I found with paramo that walkers either loved it or hated it. The problems was that those who hated it really hated it. The main complaint that people used to have with paramo is that it was fine when the were walking, but if they stopped for a long time, apparantly the jacket used to let water in quite freely. Looking at the way the paramo system works (which is quite revoluntionary by the way) it is quite easy to see that the jackets may loose some of there water repellency if the walker was at standstill. Infact most of the people who bought the jackets back weren't using them for walking, but used them when they were first aiders at public events and the like. On the plus side those that loved them cited thier (comparitivly) low price, the lightness of the fabric and the life time guarrante.

TRIPLE POINT

The only complaint I ever recieved about triple point was the price. Those who used it refused to use anything else. It was a bit heavier than most other jackets, which apparantly caused a little discomfort on warmer days, but most aggreed that it was the best for keeping you dry. One customer said that if the price was lower he would buy two. At which point the boss started bargaining with him.

GORE TEX

The most popular of the waterproofs, probably because it was used by a lot of companies whose styling tended to be smarter. Again the main complaint was the price, but many felt it was the most breathable jacket on the market (there was somne strong opposition to this by paramo wearers though). Waterproofness was often given a big thumbs up....whilst it lasted. The problem with gor
e tex was that it didn't last as long as any of the other jackets. There were many reproofing agents,which worked in the short-term, but at the end of the day you would really be looking at a new jacket after five years use.

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