Páramo (Nikwax Fabrics)
Hi folks, sorry for the delay in getting a response to this thread.
Is Páramo waterproof? I see one response as well it depends as to what you call waterproof?
There are really two approaches, one which puts a physical barrier between you and the weather (i.e Gore, Event etc etc) and complies with a whole bunch of lab tests which effectively measures the hydrostatic head of the fabric i.e how much water can the fabric withstand in a vertical column before it fails (leaks).
One opinion is that although this does indeed keep you dry from the outside there can be a problem of getting wet from the inside from perspiration. The better ones breathe but they do rely on a temperature differential i.e your body heat being warmer than the outside, keeping the water as a vapour and the vapour being able to pass between the fibres and membrane to the outside (breathe).
So whats the difference with Páramo? Firstly we use the Nikwax Directional textiles and don't use membranes or coatings. This is not to say they are bad but to say that we prefer a different approach.
Some of significant points of difference are - no tape seams, extremely breathable but the key one is this directional thing.
The fabric system does not rely on body heat. It breathes very well but importantly will actually move (pump) liquid water (sweat) away from you towards the outside. It's performance can be renewed pretty much indefinitely, no tape seams to come away, if punctured it still works, if ripped it can be easily mended and the polyesters we use are whilst very soft and quiet are very strong. Their performance after repeated exposure to high UV is incredible.
The whole Ten Tors thing is interesting. Whilst someone in the military obviously hasn’t got their heads around it, DRG (Dartmoor Rescue Group) who cover the event and Dartmoor 365 days a year and when the moor is having it’s greatest weather sense of humour failures use Páramo - all four sections (although not everyone in the team as it’s personal choice). The military’s Joint services adventure training centres who teach the mountaineering instructors in all weathers also use it, some of them pretty much live in it.
One of the main reasons they do is exactly what is being described above. When you stop exerting yourself you cool (some people more rapidly than other depending on your metabolism and sometimes gender). If a garment is very breathable then as it’s breathing then some heat will be lost. If you are wet inside then this heat will be lost even quicker. A good deal of us find that on balance we stay more comfortable (dryer and warmer) for longer using Páramo – It’s not for everyone? A an ex Infantry squaddie of 9 years, a trained mountain leader, someone who lives on the edge of Dartmoor and is a landscape photographer who stands about for hours waiting for light (I love pre and post storm weather lighting) It works for me?
Whilst our breathability and directionality are fantastic when you are active, then as with most systems if you stop for longer periods of time you will need to add insulation to reduce heat loss. We call in overlayering as you shouln’t have to take something off to put something on – I hope that reads ok? For most people you have to add a fair amount of insulation for this to be effective for longer periods.
So then the numbers – instead of the hydrostatic head test we use the Leeds university rain room test which we believe is a better representation of what outdoor folk do.
Rain Room Testing
The Rain Room at Leeds University Textile Department (UK) was specially built and donated by Nikwax to enable the assessment of outdoor fabrics and garment designs.The process of testing a
garment is as follows:
Mannequins are clothed in fleece cotton tracksuits and balaclavas. These are absorbent but do not wick easily. This aids the detection of water movement. Páramo test garments are then placed over the top. The clothed mannequin is positioned under the shower tester with one arm pointing forward and the other slightly downward to mimic a walking position.
The mannequin and clothing revolve 6 times per minute,for up to 4 hours. Heavy rain is simulated; with a range of drop diameters and an intensity of 28–32mm per hour. This is approximately 10 times the intensity of normal heavy rain in the UK.
The lining used in Páramo Directional Waterproofs is called ‘Analogy Pump Liner’ – this is a Directional liner that transfers liquid water from one face to the other.
Min. Static water transfer face to face – 300 gms per hour.
Max water content after 30 mins static draining – 20%
The outer fabric used in Páramo Directional Waterproofs is called ‘Windproof by Nikwax’ Outer Windproof fabric with durable water repellency
Min. tear strength – 20 Newtons
Max. air permeability 2.5 cubic feet per min.
Spray rating: 100
These 2 fabrics combined = Páramo Directional Waterproof. Therefore, whole garment rain resistance
Minimum 4 hour resistance to 3cm of rain per hour. Sample garments tested independently at Leeds University Textile Department Rain Room
I'm sorry if this is all a bit late in the day but I'd be very happy to discuss this if anyone is still interested?
Cheers
Rob (Skippy1)