Sump To Summit

Paramo Velez Adventure Light Smock Review – A Year of Hard Use

I’ve owned the Paramo Velez Adventure Light Smock for over a year now, and it’s easily one of my most-used bits of kit. Whether I’m running, climbing, ski touring, mountain biking, or mountaineering, this jacket has been a near-daily companion. I’ve got plenty of Gore-Tex jackets, but honestly? They almost never leave the house anymore.

Why Choose Paramo?

A few years ago, I started hearing great things about Paramo’s directional waterproofs, and when a Cave Rescue discount came my way, I thought—why not? My first purchase was the Velez Evolution Hybrid Smock, a heavier-duty jacket that’s been fantastic in cold climates. But for most of the British seasons, it was too warm. (You can read about my thoughts on the heavier jacket here.)

That’s when I came across the Velez Adventure Light Smock—a lighter, more breathable version that seemed perfect for my needs. I picked one up in orange, and honestly? I haven’t looked back since.

Performance in Cold Weather

In winter, if you’re bold, you can get away with just a t-shirt underneath. I usually bring a mid-layer “just in case”, but 9 times out of 10, it just sits in my bag all day.

For night runs in the rain, I often skip the t-shirt altogether and just wear the smock. The side vents are brilliant for regulating heat—if it’s too warm, I’ll unzip them but keep the buttons done up to block out wind.

Is the Paramo Velez Adventure Light Smock Waterproof?

The big question: Is it waterproof?

Short answer—yes.

After long, wet days in the hills, I come back bone dry. My partner, who wore Paramo during her Mountain Leader assessment, noticed the same. At the pub, those in Gore-Tex jackets were hanging them on radiators to dry. Meanwhile, the ones in Paramo (her and the instructor) just sat there, warm and dry, without crinkling sounds every time they moved.

That said, there’s one exception worth mentioning—if you’re standing still in heavy rain for long periods. Unlike Gore-Tex, which acts as a hard barrier, Paramo relies on your body heat to keep you dry by actively moving moisture away. If you’re not generating heat, you’ll start to feel damp. This is pretty much the only time I take a Gore-Tex jacket out now—to throw on over the Paramo if I know I’ll be stationary in bad weather. But as soon as you start moving again, the smock dries out incredibly fast, so for active days, it’s still my go-to.

Year-Round Use & Durability

• Spring & Summer – This jacket is always in my bag. When climbing in North Wales, it counts as my mid-layer, and as someone raised in the North, I was never allowed to leave the house without a coat—some habits die hard! I also don’t stress about scraping against rock; unlike Gore-Tex, it doesn’t impact performance.
• Autumn – This is when I mountain bike the most, and I don’t think twice about getting the Velez Adventure Light Smock dirty. After a wash, it works good as new. With Gore-Tex, you worry about dirt reducing performance—with Paramo, there’s none of that.

Final Thoughts – The Best Alternative to Gore-Tex?

For over a year, the Paramo Velez Adventure Light Smock has been my go-to jacket. It’s comfortable, breathable, durable, and keeps me dry—without the plasticky feel of a traditional hard shell. If you’re looking for a serious alternative to Gore-Tex that works just as well (if not better) in the UK’s damp, unpredictable weather, this smock is well worth considering.

Would I buy it again? Absolutely.