Page 45 - 2018 AMA Summer

outside, the Cambia reduces the pooling of perspiration to eliminate cold spots after exercise. Turning it inside out so the textured side of the fabric is next to your provides a warmer layer. I tried a short sleeve version and found it to be excellent at keeping me dry on warm sunny days whilst carrying a bag uphill. Most notably, at the top, when it was time for a break, I noticed there was very little moisture around my lower back that normally forms from sweating whilst carrying a bag.
Aesthetically, the Cambia T-Shirt I tried has a high quality look and feel, well-tai- lored finishing with a comfortable fit. If I was going to be critical I’d highlight that I found the neckline to be a little low compared to other t-shirts that I own which contributed to a sunburnt neckline below where my other T-shirts may have covered otherwise.
On top of this base layer, I’ve been able to test two Analogy jackets from Summer 17 through to Spring 18. The Velez – with a full length zip, and the top-end mountain- eering specific model - the Enduro. Both use the Analogy waterproof fabric system but the Velez has the lighter weight fabric - Analogy Light. This has all the same waterproof characteristics but is not as heavy (approximately 20% lighter) is less durable than the Enduro.
PÁRAMO VELEZ
PRICE TO AMA MEMBERS:
(RRP £285) £228
WEIGHT: 605G
COLOURS AVAILABLE: ORANGE, BLUE & GREY, MAROON & NAVY, BLACK
WOMENS’ SPECIFIC: YES
RATINGS:
FEATURES: 3.5/5 VALUE FOR MONEY: 4/5 PERFORMANCE: 5/5 WEIGHT/SIZE: 4.5/5 OVERALL: 4.5/5
The Velez comes in two variations, a
full length zip or a half zipping
smock – I tested the full length version. The cut is designed to be harness compatible and comes with a stiff peaked hood. There are two double-zipped pockets on the chest allowing ventilation that provides storage and somewhere to
warm hands. In addition, there are two front- of-arm vents to add additional ventilation options. This is a simple jacket with basic features. Hook and loop tabs on the wrists keeps heat in and moisture out, or when required, the sleeves can easily be pulled up to further allow for ventilation. The light weight material is soft, near silent, flexible and warm and allows for unrestricted movement on those rock climbs where
‘The light weight material is soft, near silent, flexible and warm’
you have to become one with the rock to get anywhere. It has elasticated drawstring pulls to fit the hood to the wearer and once zipped up fully, the jacket is a comfortable fit exposing only the essential skin to the elements. Zips have glove-friendly tabs on the end to allow opening and closing in the harshest weather.
VELEZ
The one thing I’d change about the Velez is the hood retaining system...that doesn’t exist. For whatever reason one has not been added and is a significant drawback to an otherwise exceptional jacket. Because the Analogy Light material is 20% lighter than the heavier weight Analogy it has the tendency to move around and that becomes a problem particularly when bending over to pick up your gear or when it’s windy. I’ve tried rolling it up and I’ve tried stuffing it down the back of the neckline but this is neither practical nor comfortable.
Some of you may have seen the Velez Evolution <<Velez Evolution>> that won a Gold Award on show at ISPO 2018. This is, as named, an evolution to the current model (smock only) and most notably increases the amount of ventilation possible by the entire front panel being removable. At an RRP of £330 will this make current Velez owners go out and buy a new one? Perhaps not, but as a new consumer it will give you something else to think about. Will it have a decent hood retaining system, hopefully so.
PÁRAMO ENDURO
PRICE TO AMA MEMBERS:
(RRP £425) £340
WEIGHT: 800G
COLOURS AVAILABLE: ASYMMETRIC BLUE/RED, NAVY/GOLD
WOMEN’S VERSION AVAILABLE: NO
RATINGS:
FEATURES: 5/5
VALUE FOR MONEY: 3/5
PERFORMANCE: 4.5/5 WEIGHT/SIZE: 3.5/5
OVERALL: 4/5
The Enduro has been designed for extreme conditions. It uses the full
weight Analogy fabric (with hard wearing stretch panels) that gives greater resilience to abrasion and tearing and is cut shorter and more athletic. It has two chest pockets to store essentials and both have been designed to take an OS map. The left chest pocket has a rigid plastic loop on the outside to enable attachment of items on chord/
ARMY MOUNTAINEER / 45