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Main Boards => Gear => Topic started by: NeilC on 08:53:16, 01/11/18

Title: Paramo alterations - anyone had any done?
Post by: NeilC on 08:53:16, 01/11/18
I like my Helki jacket but it doesn't have enough ventilation - no pit zips. I got it for a very good price and looking into trading it up on ebay looks like it would cost me a fair bit and possibly end up with me getting something less suitable in other ways.


So I contacted Paramo and they're able to add pit-zip vents, with the flaps underneath etc for a pretty reasonable price.


Has anyone had any work like that done by them. I'm assuming they'd do it to a high standard but I'd be interested to know from people who've actually seen their work.
Title: Re: Paramo alterations - anyone had any done?
Post by: wobblyknees on 10:36:05, 01/11/18
Depends what you mean by pretty reasonable. I contacted them to try to get my Cascada pants repaired. The price was prohibitive.
I bought a new pair cheaper (on Ebay I think). Admittedly, they were the older heavier baggy version and Paramo had recently launched the newer slimmer version. Many outlets were offloading the old ones very cheaply.


That said, a friend of mine sent her old, well battered, multi ripped Alta 2 jacket back to them for repair. She got back a washed, reproofed and fully repaired jacket in almost pristine condition. The repairs are hardly noticeable. I think it cost only £30 about 5 years ago. She says it felt like buying a new jacket for £30.
Title: Re: Paramo alterations - anyone had any done?
Post by: NeilC on 14:10:17, 01/11/18
Depends what you mean by pretty reasonable. I contacted them to try to get my Cascada pants repaired. The price was prohibitive.
I bought a new pair cheaper (on Ebay I think). Admittedly, they were the older heavier baggy version and Paramo had recently launched the newer slimmer version. Many outlets were offloading the old ones very cheaply.


That said, a friend of mine sent her old, well battered, multi ripped Alta 2 jacket back to them for repair. She got back a washed, reproofed and fully repaired jacket in almost pristine condition. The repairs are hardly noticeable. I think it cost only £30 about 5 years ago. She says it felt like buying a new jacket for £30.


Cheers


£48 for the work on both arms.
Title: Re: Paramo alterations - anyone had any done?
Post by: pauldawes on 14:11:50, 01/11/18
I've had jackets repaired three times...usual story, me being careless, barbed wire unsuccessfully negotiated, friction tears when scrambling, etc. (That ...scrambling... won't happen again, walk only nowadays).


All three times work was done to high standards, and jacket was re-proofed in cost. The first two times it was impossible to tell where repair had been needed. The third time.it was possible to tell where a panel had been replaced, but only because jacket was so old that it was impossible to match the colour exactly, Paramo had moved to a slightly different green.


Basically I wouldn't have any qualms about quality of their work, if price is acceptable to you.
Title: Re: Paramo alterations - anyone had any done?
Post by: gunwharfman on 16:32:03, 01/11/18
I have an Alta 2 and the zip is beginning to fail!
Title: Re: Paramo alterations - anyone had any done?
Post by: NeilC on 20:55:56, 01/11/18
I'm going to go ahead then and get it done.





Title: Re: Paramo alterations - anyone had any done?
Post by: wobblyknees on 09:51:04, 02/11/18
I'm going to go ahead then and get it done.


A good decision I'd say. After Paramo's quote for my Cascadas, I brought them to a local seamstress. When she explained the amount of work involved in replacing a 3/4 length zip, I realized Paramo's quote was very reasonable. Buying the new pair was still the cheaper option,though.


£48 sounds very reasonable for two pit-zips.
Title: Re: Paramo alterations - anyone had any done?
Post by: Islandplodder on 13:03:22, 02/11/18

A friend had a very successful repair done to her Paramo Jacket after an altercation with some barbed wire.
I decided my Velez trousers were just too far gone after various encounters with brambles, barbed wire and the stony surface of that path from Cross Fell to Garrigill, so I took up the other Paramo deal, gave them back to the shop and got 50 quid off a new pair.
Title: Re: Paramo alterations - anyone had any done?
Post by: NeilC on 14:53:57, 22/12/18
So i got the alterations done and the jacket came back today.


They have been done to a very high standard. It looks just like it was made like that in the first place.


Theres quite a lot to it when you look at it: storm flap with a popper on the outside and the the overlapping liner in the inside to provide the waterproofing keep the zip away from your skin.

Title: Re: Paramo alterations - anyone had any done?
Post by: pauldawes on 15:00:46, 22/12/18
Good to hear it went well, neat way to get a unique garment.
Title: Re: Paramo alterations - anyone had any done?
Post by: IanHappy on 15:41:55, 28/08/19
Hi Neil, I'm just weighing up which jacket to get, and the Helki seems to fit much better than the others I've tried. I too would like venting though, and this seems like a good way forward. Do you have any photos you'd be willing to share?

Also any feedback on the jacket itself? My usage would be quite diverse; mostly hill walking but I've climbed a lot before and would quite like to get back into scrambling/easier climbing, in winter as well as summer. Not sure the hood would be big enough over a helmet though?

Thanks a lot,
Ian
Title: Re: Paramo alterations - anyone had any done?
Post by: NeilC on 14:07:59, 30/08/19
Hi Neil, I'm just weighing up which jacket to get, and the Helki seems to fit much better than the others I've tried. I too would like venting though, and this seems like a good way forward. Do you have any photos you'd be willing to share?

Also any feedback on the jacket itself? My usage would be quite diverse; mostly hill walking but I've climbed a lot before and would quite like to get back into scrambling/easier climbing, in winter as well as summer. Not sure the hood would be big enough over a helmet though?

Thanks a lot,
Ian
(https://i.ibb.co/3fvJT7D/4m-Eza-Y6c-S7e5-Kq-Svtv-DQQ.jpg)

(https://i.ibb.co/F7Mr3w3/1h-F3cl-Dc-SF-UZ57-H4x-Ud0-Q.jpg)
Hopefully gives you some idea. The vent is on the upper arm not all the way around the armput like it is on my other jackets and as such, not as effective.
I think the hood is helmet friendly but Paramo would be the people to confirm that with.
The jacket is OK. I only use it for backpacking and hillwalking. No climbing. So not sure I'm qualified to say how suitable it is. For walking it works . Has kept me dry and it vents a bit at the front if popped up but not zipper up. Sleeves can be pushed up to expose forarms. Has useful pockets. Excellent hood as always with Paramo. Warm and dry - too warm for Spring and Summer for me but my preferred Winter jacket. I have to wear thin baselayers when walking uphill or I get too hot above zero. I usually wear a simple polyester t-shirt from Lidl or Decathlon.
I only got the Helki because it was going new but super cheap on ebay and later realised it needed the vents. If money was no object then I wouldn't buy it again but would get something with more venting built in. Looks like the Enduro is their mountain jacket for climbing etc but it ain't cheap.

Fit-wise, I was under the impression that the Helki is the same fit as most of the newer versions of their jacket but I've not tried them all on.

I'm not 100% sold on Paramo. Seems like a bit too much of a compromise: it's overly warm and heavy but in the right conditions makes a good all-day jacket. I find myself wearing my shell jacket and/or windproof just as much as that's a more flexible system across the year. But then I really do get hot and sweaty during exercise in general. The other downside for me is their use in multiday trips - getting into a tent with a soaking wet Paramo results in putting on a soaking wet Paramo the next morning as they tend to hold onto the water in the face-fabric middle layer, whereas a Goretex dries off fast if shaken dry and even if it doesn't, is only wet on the surface. I do like the trousers in colder months.
Title: Re: Paramo alterations - anyone had any done?
Post by: NeilC on 09:17:00, 03/10/19
Don't mention it.... ::)
Title: Re: Paramo alterations - anyone had any done?
Post by: IanHappy on 11:33:26, 03/10/19
Dear Neil,


My apologies; I have been away on holiday and could not respond immediately. However I have been back for 3 days now and should have followed up sooner; I'm very grateful to you for taking the time to respond with pictures and your views, and I'm sorry that I didn't say so sooner.


Thank you very much for the pictures; Paramo have done a good job and you would never know that the vents were not part of the original design. I'm still weighing up the pros and cons of Paramo for my use; I can't afford multiple jackets to cover all the seasons, so perhaps it is not for me at the moment.


Sorry again, and thank you again,
Ian
Title: Re: Paramo alterations - anyone had any done?
Post by: gunwharfman on 11:36:17, 03/10/19
I bought a Paramo Alta 2 a few years ago, I grew to dislike it, especially in the warmer months, just too hot and I also learned that it was not a jacket that easily folded up to pack in my rucksack, too slippery and bulky, on top of that I was never convinced as to how waterproof it was either. Then the zip failed.

When I found out how much the repair cost would be I gave up on it completely. It now hangs in my garage gathering dust.

My learning at that time was that I would never buy such a jacket again and so moved on and bought a single skin jacket, a Marmot Precip, much better!
Title: Re: Paramo alterations - anyone had any done?
Post by: forgotmyoldpassword on 13:28:33, 03/10/19
I bought a Paramo Alta 2 a few years ago, I grew to dislike it, especially in the warmer months, just too hot and I also learned that it was not a jacket that easily folded up to pack in my rucksack, too slippery and bulky, on top of that I was never convinced as to how waterproof it was either. Then the zip failed.

When I found out how much the repair cost would be I gave up on it completely. It now hangs in my garage gathering dust.

My learning at that time was that I would never buy such a jacket again and so moved on and bought a single skin jacket, a Marmot Precip, much better!


Must admit I want to like Paramo.  I like their branding, I like their slightly weird designs, I especially like some of their directional base layers and fleeces as well as their ethical credentials ... but the jackets just seem unsuitable and overpriced.  If it's in the middle of winter I'd prefer using a Buffalo or Montane Extreme if it's very cold, but the Paramo doesn't seem versatile enough for different activity levels and certainly not for warm spring days or summer.  Much prefer the base layer, simple 100wt fleece + lightweight and breathable wind proof option + a waterproof lightweight shell in the pack.  Plus if I trash the windproof I've cost myself £60 for a new item.  I can basically get all these items for what one Paramo jacket costs brand new.  Is there something I'm missing?
Title: Re: Paramo alterations - anyone had any done?
Post by: vghikers on 14:08:16, 03/10/19
Quote
I also learned that it was not a jacket that easily folded up to pack in my rucksack, too slippery and bulky, on top of that I was never convinced as to how waterproof it was either.

Same here, far too bulky for lightweight backpacking. I've never worn a Paramo jacket myself but I'm not convinced of the waterproof theory in real world conditions. No doubt there are particular conditions where it's a good option and it's a nice theoretical idea, but it assumes that the subject is just standing there in the jacket with rain falling on it. Real backpacking ain't like that. You are wearing a weighty backpack and constantly moving, sometimes reaching upwards on steep rocky paths, which scrunches the material about and, so I hear, forces water through under pressure, especially beneath the shoulder straps.
Title: Re: Paramo alterations - anyone had any done?
Post by: pauldawes on 15:25:23, 03/10/19
I bought a Velez Adventure Light about 12 years ago and gone out in it, in all sorts of weather conditions...for mid range day walks (about 8 to 15 miles walks, mostly in White or Dark Peak).


I’ve found it comfortable in all but hot summer’s days...and prefer keeping it on for all walk, to faff of taking off/ putting on a conventional waterproof shell as weather changes.


Would it be my preferred “solution” for multi-day back packing??


No...but that’s not the type of walking I do!
Title: Re: Paramo alterations - anyone had any done?
Post by: NeilC on 14:57:29, 07/10/19
Dear Neil,


My apologies; I have been away on holiday and could not respond immediately. However I have been back for 3 days now and should have followed up sooner; I'm very grateful to you for taking the time to respond with pictures and your views, and I'm sorry that I didn't say so sooner.


Thank you very much for the pictures; Paramo have done a good job and you would never know that the vents were not part of the original design. I'm still weighing up the pros and cons of Paramo for my use; I can't afford multiple jackets to cover all the seasons, so perhaps it is not for me at the moment.


Sorry again, and thank you again,
Ian


I feel bad now!


Sorry but we do get our fair share of hit and run merchants come here - often they start a thread, get like 4 pages of detailed responses and then never appear again


Anyway, glad it was useful.


They're defo no use in summer for sure so not a good choice of all-season jacket
Title: Re: Paramo alterations - anyone had any done?
Post by: NeilC on 15:05:03, 07/10/19

Must admit I want to like Paramo.....Is there something I'm missing?


Not really. Not sure anyone can claim what you suggest isn't more flexible, cheaper, more weatherproof and requires less upkeep.


I think I like my Paramo more theoretically than I do practically.