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Paramo 3rd Element Jacket in Taupe - XL only

our price: £115.00 reduced from £200.00

I’m giving it away now !

This multi-activity jacket has a slim short cut, and is ideally suited to running, cycling or climbing, although there’s no reason why you couldn’t wear it hill walking too. The unique part of this jacket though, is that it splits in two – the hood and arms come off to make you a gilet – ideal for warmer conditions, and when it gets cool again you can just put the arms back on. This even works if you are wearing a pack, as you can get the arms back on over the straps, without having to take your pack off.

Those who know all about Paramo can skip the next bit, but if you’ve never had one then you need to read on.

About Paramo
Paramo jackets are unlike anything else on the market. They are not laminated, and so do not contain any waterproof/breathable membranes such as Goretex or Event. This means they are 100% breathable, in addition to being waterproof. When you are working hard, ordinary waterproof/breathable fabrics get rid of about 20% of the sweat you produce, wheras Paramo will get rid of it all. The directional fabric mimics the action of animal fur by pumping water away from the skin. The result is a quiet, soft jacket that will never fail because it doesn’t have the fragile membrane. You can wash it as many times as you like without damaging it. It even comes with a lifetime guarantee. So it might be a bit more expensive, but if you’ll have it forever then it is not an extravangance.

Ethical Manufacturing
Paramo garments are manufactured by the ‘Miquelina Foundation’ in Colombia. Working as part of a social program, Páramo® provides valuable skills to ‘at risk’ women seeking an improvement in their lives. The profits of the factory are reinvested in equipment, and significant donations are made to the other associated projects, including a housing co-operative, kindergarten, and training. Miquelina has developed from being a small section of a charity that survived on donations, to becoming a significant source of employment and funding for community projects. Some 320 women are trained each year by the Foundation.

Technical Information
Discreet chest zips and underarm poppers attach ‘arms’ element to gilet to give a close-fitting, contoured jacket.
‘Arms’ element is easily removed for rapid cooling effect, while the gilet keeps the trunk warm.
Underarm and chest poppers allow ‘arms’ and hood to be attached to the gilet without removal of jacket.
Yoked arms can be worn alone, even over pack straps, to provide fast insulation when needed.
Maximum freedom of movement provided by articulated shoulders and sleeves.
Multi-adjust, low bulk cuff design with bite tab closures for single-handed, ‘on the move’ adjustment.
Protection to the kidney area from long back with scooped tail and drip skirt.
Two map-sized storage/ hand warming chest pockets and internal secure mesh pocket.
Two way reverse zip with internal poppered storm flap for two phase venting.
Fully adjustable, wired peak hood.
Rear storage pocket for stowage of ‘arms’ while on the move.

Average weight: 765g

Colours: Taupe/Brown as shown in main picture
Sizes: XL only (up to 46” chest)

Sue’s review
All of Paramo’s gear has been designed for the end user – they have thought about everything, and the result is the most comfortable jacket you will ever have. Once you have had a Paramo there is no going back.

I have the 3rd Element jacket, and I wear it everyday and for everything. I dog walk, fell run, climb (badly), hill walk and go to the pub in this jacket, and I have no need for anything else. When fell running alone in winter, it’s my insurance policy in case of twisted ankle, as I know that it will save my life. I have put it on when I’ve been soaked through and become instantly warm. The best feature is the hood, which stays put in a gale, and which doesn’t flap or rustle so you can hear. I have also fallen face down up to both shoulders in a bog (and mine is sky blue) and it has come clean. I wash it about once a month because it takes such a hammering, and it still looks brand new.
The only catch is that every four to six weeks of regular wear (so like me) you need to wash it, and twice a year re-proof it. It is just a case of throwing it in the machine with some Nikwax though, so it’s no trouble, unless you have a real aversion to washing.