Páramo Velez Adventure Light Smock | Tested and reviewed

If you’re unconvinced by the performance of membrane-based waterproof jackets and dubious about their over-confident breathability claims, then there is a hero on the horizon for you – Páramo.

This maverick, non-conformist brand has looked at the membrane-based waterproofs market and thought “nah, we don’t like that – we’ve got a better way”. Their unconventional but effective approach uses the Nikwax Analogy system with ‘directionality’ technology.

This doesn’t provide a physical barrier to rain like a Gore-Tex membrane. Instead a water-resistant, DWR-coated outer deflects the initial impact of rain, while an inner layer (the ‘pump liner’) physically moves liquid water (rain and sweat) away from the body, keeping the user dry, preventing condensation and enhancing breathability.

The Páramo Velez Adventure Light Smock features such technology – and it works brilliantly. It keeps rain out, wicks away sweat efficiently and provides plenty of cooling options through well-placed vents.

It’s exceptionally comfy too with a soft, rustle-free design (compared to the clammy, plasticky feel of most hard shells), and a host of good features including a superb peaked hood. But there are flaws: it’s rather heavy, arguably too warm and some of the features will polarise opinion.

Will you love or hate it? We reckon the former, but – alas – we could be wrong.

Waterproofing and construction

Here at LFTO, we’ve tested several Páramo waterproof jackets over the years, and – despite the polarising status of the brand – our team has always been impressed with Páramo’s performance (read our deep dive article on how Páramo technology works).

For example, the Páramo Alta III is the brand’s top-of-the-range winter jacket and it scored very positively in my review – it has also won Trail magazine 'best In test' awards in the past. My colleague Matt Jones was also impressed by the Páramo Velez Jacket (a non-smock version with a full central zipper and a heftier build).

The brand’s range is quite varied, and there are several versions of the Velez jacket. There’s the fully-zippered Velez Jacket mentioned above. Smock versions include the Velez Adventure Smock and the Velez Adventure Light Smock that I’m testing here, while a fully-featured version with longer vents is the Velez Evolution Hybrid Smock.

As with all Páramo clothing, Páramo’s Velez Adventure Light Smock jacket doesn’t come with a standard hydrostatic head (HH) rating, as the brand follows a membrane-free design philosophy inspired by how animal fur naturally repels water. Instead, it uses the innovative Nikwax Analogy system, which works differently from conventional waterproofing.

The jacket’s outer layer is made of a tightly-woven, windproof microfibre material that serves as the first line of defence against wind and rain. However, what truly sets it apart is its ability to handle water that might seep in through openings like the hood, cuffs or hem.

Unlike traditional waterproofs, this system doesn’t just move water vapour away – it actively channels liquid water, such as rain or sweat, away from your body.

Why does this matter? When you’re exerting yourself, trapped moisture inside your clothing can leave you cold and uncomfortable once you stop moving. According to Páramo, conventional waterproof membranes like Gore-Tex manage only about 20% of sweat effectively, leaving the rest trapped and causing that familiar clammy feeling.

The Nikwax Analogy system addresses this by expelling up to 80% of liquid water, keeping you dry and comfortable throughout.

Though you can’t visibly observe this process, the results speak for themselves. During rigorous test hikes in various Páramo jackets over the years, they have consistently kept me warm and dry, thus proving their effectiveness.

Each jacket also undergoes testing in the Leeds University Rainroom, where it must withstand at least four hours of intense rainfall—five times heavier than typical UK downpours, according to Páramo.

Páramo also claims that the durability of the Analogy system allows their jackets to stay waterproof even if punctured with pins, though we didn’t dare put this to the test. Still, it’s a comforting testament to the jacket’s resilience.

Breathability and ventilation

Páramo’s unconventional design philosophy means the Velez Adventure Light Smock doesn’t come with a formal breathability rating like MVTR or RET. Nevertheless, breathability is one of its standout features.

The Nikwax Analogy fabric not only offers exceptional breathability but is also directional, actively moving both liquid water and vapour outward to keep your insulation dry and effective. In contrast, traditional membranes like Gore-Tex, while allowing moisture vapour to escape, cannot transport liquid water.

As a result, Páramo explains, “when sweat production exceeds the MVTR, or when external temperatures drop, condensation (the conversion of vapour into liquid) can accumulate inside breathable membranes.” This is precisely the issue Páramo jackets are designed to address, making it their unique selling point.

For added ventilation, the Velez Adventure Light Smock includes two zippered vents, rising vertically from the waist hem up towards your chest, located on the sides of the jacket. By opening these up you can encourage loads of air-flow, and give the jacket a very airy, open, ventilated structure.

Press stud buttons at the waist hem enable you to keep this flappy gap secured in place, rather than too loose.

Weight and packability

Páramo jackets are notorious for being very heavy and bulky. I tested the Páramo Alta III a few years ago – it’s a brilliant winter-ready waterproof jacket, but it weighs a frankly ridiculous 834g in a men’s medium. And many other Páramo garments are known for being similarly hefty and substantial.

The Páramo Velez Adventure Light Smock is a refreshing break from this norm. Light by name, light by nature (by Páramo standards), on my scales it weighs just 570g in the men’s small version I’ve been testing.

That’s a mid-range weight overall for a 3-season jacket. It’s neither particularly light nor excessively heavy, but it’s a nice compromise.

In comparison to five other 3-season jackets I’ve tested recently, the Velez Adventure Light Smock is the second heaviest. It’s 62g lighter than the Artilect M-Formation 3L (632g, men’s small), but between 19g and 175g heavier than the Patagonia Granite Crest (395g), Tierra Nevado Gen.3 (470g), Berghaus Ridge-Seeker (483g) and Highlander Munro V2 (551g).

So, in conclusion, it’s slightly on the heavy side by normal standards, but it’s definitely light by Páramo’s usual standards.

In terms of packability, the jacket folds down compactly and will barely take up any space in your backpack – it carries well and packs away small.

Size, fit and comfort

I’d give the Velez Aventure Light Smock a five out of five score in terms of comfort. I find it hits the spot perfectly – it’s just so soft, comfy against the skin, moves well with the body and (somehow) just works really, really well.

Why is this the case? Well, its polyester fabric is soft and pliable. It feels soft, cosy, noiseless and infinitely more comfortable than a traditional hard shell, and less prone to feeling clammy and plasticky.

Instead, it's soft and rustle-free, compared to Gore-Tex jackets, which can often be stiff, rigid and plasticky feeling, with an annoying crisp-packet crinkle.

There are a few drawbacks, however. The lack of stiffness means the Páramo jacket can be a bit flappy in the wind, and – due to the lined construction – there’s some extra insulation compared to regular hard shells. This is handy in colder climes, but may feel too hot on milder days.

In terms of the fit and cut, I wore the men’s small. The size of the jacket was mostly fine, although I found the cut too short at the front of my waist. I’d have liked to see it drop a bit lower, below the waistband of my walking trousers, for example.

Perhaps this implies I should have sized up to a medium. As always, I’d suggest that it’s best to try for size in a shop, if you can.

The all-round volume of the men’s small was fine, however, with quite a trim, streamlined cut – which is nice to see, because Páramo has historically been criticised for making clothing that’s far too baggy and over-sized.

Features: Hood, pockets, wrist cuffs, zippers and waistband

Personally I love the maverick approach of Páramo jackets. They are defiantly different and happy to be so, and their non-conformity is very clear when you look at the feature set – which works very well and hits the mark, in my opinion.

Some of the usual stuff is present. The waist hem is adjustable in the normal way via two drawcord toggles, and the wrist cuffs are pretty standard too – hook-and-loop Velcro cuffs as you see in most jackets.

There’s nothing abnormal about the hood, either, offering comprehensive coverage of the face, a good field of vision and faultless movement as you turn. The wired brim is really top-notch, with a semi-circular, awning-like brim. I think it’s perfect.

The hood can be cinched-in nicely via two toggles and – another nice little touch – is the Velcro tab at the rear for folding it away if you don’t need to use it. Although, I didn’t really like the position and size of the hood adjustment toggles, which felt a bit dangly and flappy.

Some other features of the Páramo Velez Aventure Light Smock are quite unique and leftfield. You don’t get any handwarmer pockets or pit vents, and there’s no central zipper at all. Instead, due to the smock-style design, you have to pull the jacket over your head.

This might polarise opinion, and it’s a tad annoying if you’re regularly layering and de-layering, but personally I never found it a big hassle.

Instead of the handwarmer pockets, you get a large, envelope-style pocket across the chest – a somewhat iconic, distinctive design feature central to Páramo’s DNA. This pocket is big enough to take an OS waterproof map, but it probably won't suit everyone.

I’m not entirely convinced I like to carry things in this way – it’s an odd place to store things, but others may love the approach.

Instead of pit vents, you get two vertical, two-way zippers down the front-sides of the jacket. By opening these up fully, you create a really open, airy structure to the jacket, with a huge flap of fabric at the base. You can seal this flap in place via press stud buttons at the waist hem.

Again, some may find this approach odd; others will love the top-tier ventilation options it creates.

Sustainability

Páramo has a long-standing – and well-deserved – reputation as an ethical and environmentally-conscious brand, and the Velez Adventure Light Smock scores well across the sustainability metric. It's a PFC-free fabric and, being made entirely from 100% polyester, it’s fully recyclable through Páramo’s own recycling scheme.

You can’t recycle many other hard shell jackets in this way, due to the complexities of fabric combinations, membranes and laminations used in their construction. The Nikwax Aftercare solutions used to re-proof the Velez Adventure Light Smock are water-based and free of harmful solvents or chemicals, too.

All Páramo clothing is also made by the charitable Miquelina Foundation. Located in Bogotá, Colombia, this manufacturing partner of Páramo offers vulnerable women training and employment - so a big tick in the ethics box compared to many other brands.

Of course, the Velez Adventure Light Smock isn’t perfect from a planet perspective – for example, it isn’t made from recycled materials, and it’s not clear whether the hardware components (e.g. zippers, toggles etc) can be recycled.

Verdict

The Páramo Velez Adventure Light Smock is a super-comfy jacket with reliable performance and a unique approach to waterproofing – but it will probably polarise opinion.

See how another alternative to the waterproofing norm performs with the 66°North Snaefell Polartec Power Shield Pro Jacket.

About the author

James Forrest writes regular features and route guides for Trail and has been one of our main gear testers for the last few years. James is based on the edge of the Lake District so when he isn’t off on his latest crazy adventure or challenge, he’s walking in his local fells.

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