CAN A PIECE OF OUTDOOR CLOTHING BE WATERPROOF WITHOUT A MEMBRANE?
A question Nick Brown asked himself in the 1980s.
Páramo, a leading British outdoor clothing company do things a little differently. They take an alternate step away from a classic membrane garment such as a British rain mac and use a system pioneered by none other than the father of Nikwax, Nick Brown. During the 1980s Brown became convinced that there was a fundamental flaw in the way waterproof fabrics commonly used in outdoor clothing worked, in the humid and cool, but not cold, environment in Britain. This is because the fabrics rely on a temperature and humidity gradient in order to breathe. These ideas lead to the development of Nikwax Analogy fabrics. Páramo Directional Clothing was founded as a company in 1992 to make clothing based on the Nikwax Analogy technologies.
The Nikwax Analogy Pump liner is actually based on the action of a mammal’s fur such as an otter – pushing water away from the surface of your skin to protect you from rain, Condensation, and sweat while maintaining efficient insulation. You have a two-layer system with an outer layer of closely woven polyester which is treated with Nikwax, it provides windproofing and durable water-repellency. The second layer is your pump liner, which draws water away from you such as sweat and condensation. Best combined with a moisture-wicking base layer, this system is wonderfully comfortable, quiet, and easy to move in. Available on all waterproof garments from Páramo.
IF IT’S GOOD ENOUGH FOR AN OTTER, THEN IT’S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME.
Páramo has stood out greatly amongst other brands in the industry as a really ethical company. All of their technical products are made in alliance with the Miquelina Foundation, a member of the World Fair Trade Organization. Miquelina offers venerable women refuge from the streets of Bogotá, Columbia, women at risk of homelessness and illegal drug use. Offering these women good training, experience, shelter, and child support has helped them build better lives. Páramo’s relationship with Miquelina is now 22 years strong.
