Paramo Men's Velez Adventure Light Smock

A fantastic mountain jacket for all but the most severe of winter conditions when a heavier jacket may be better.
Worn mine in torrential rain, summit gales, surprise blizzards and think this is my favourite piece of gear. Light as a feather and toasty warm with only a light base layer beneath, love it!

I run very hot and this smock certainly breathes better then my breathable gortex jacket , it is also warmer then my gortex jacket so I dont need a mid layer on the cold windy days! If you are getting hot then the large ventilation zips at the side and on the chest work great at letting the heat out and air in! The fabrick is very nice it lets you move around easily and there is no rustling noise, I had to have a larger size then I would normally as the sleeves seem to be a bit shorter then normal, As the smock is very warm I will only be using it in the colder seasons!
On my first outing a 5hr hike across dartmoor in horizontal rain and strong winds which diddnt let up the smock held up well for the first hour then I started getting damp in places then very wet, I thought i had made the wroung choice in purchasing this smock I had never been soaked threw in my gortex jacket before! However on this day my companion who was wearing a goretex jacket was also soaked threw. The difference was that I was still warm and he was cold. We stopped for lunch and I was still warm where he was now getting colder and had to put on a mid layer! I just think that day nothing would have stopped the water coming threw if it is also breathable!
After more outings in the rain still heavy rain but not horizontal the smock has performed very well indeed keeping me dry! The water has just beaded and rolled off the fabric and I have kept warm even when stopping for lunch and not having to put on a mid layer.
The pocket across the front is so handy and does not get obstructed by the straps on my back pack, However the internal pockets although a great size aren't so easy to access especially with gloves on! The hood is a good fitt even with a wooly hat on. and it doesn't make a rustle sound when you turn your head and it seems quieter in the wind.

I was apprehensive when I first bought the smock, and slightly dissapointed on my first outing with getting so wet, but also happy that i was still warm!
Since then the smock has performed great keeping me dry and warm still on very wet days! I no longer suffer from sweaty damp areas as i do in my goretex jacket!