Paramo Aspira Waterproof Trousers for Women
Product Review & Walking Gear Test

	Aspira Waterproof Trousers for Women Vital Statistics: Guarantee: Life of the Garment Colours: Black Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL SRP: £170.00 Features to Note: Two-way waterproof reversed side zips with internal storm flap for the ultimate in comfort and versatility, providing extensive ventilation. Waist drawcord for improved fit and comfort. 'Access all areas', even during harness use, via drop seat cleverly designed to retain waist band in place. Unrestricted leg movement due to knee articulation and diamond gusset. Adjustable ankle snow cuffs. Improved safety whilst using crampons through calf-adjust cord also improving knee articulation. 'Snow sport' friendly - with wider hem in boot area and poppered ankle adjustment to secure hem. Added protection and insulation via our slimline removable knee and seat foam inserts. Double layers of Nikwax Analogy Pump Lining fabric ensure there is greater comfort and reinforcement on the seat and knees. Increased abrasion resistance to the seat, knee and ankle area through the use of reinforcement fabric. 2 x Hand Pockets both with zip flap closure. Female specific design. .

Aspira Waterproof Trousers for Women

Paramo Nikwax Analogy for Paramo Aspira

Vital Statistics:

Guarantee:
Life of the Garment

Colours:
Black

Sizes:
XS, S, M, L, XL

SRP:
£170.00

Features to Note:

Two-way waterproof reversed side zips with internal storm flap for the ultimate in comfort and versatility, providing extensive ventilation.
Waist drawcord for improved fit and comfort.
'Access all areas', even during harness use, via drop seat cleverly designed to retain waist band in place.
Unrestricted leg movement due to knee articulation and diamond gusset.
Adjustable ankle snow cuffs.
Improved safety whilst using crampons through calf-adjust cord also improving knee articulation.
'Snow sport' friendly - with wider hem in boot area and poppered ankle adjustment to secure hem.
Added protection and insulation via our slimline removable knee and seat foam inserts. Double layers of Nikwax Analogy Pump Lining fabric ensure there is greater comfort and reinforcement on the seat and knees.
Increased abrasion resistance to the seat, knee and ankle area through the use of reinforcement fabric.
2 x Hand Pockets both with zip flap closure.
Female specific design. .

Paramo says:"Our highest specification waterproof trousers for female mountaineers and Outdoor Professionals and for those entering the most extreme environments. Designed for use in all mountain activities, the Ladies' Aspira Trousers can be worn next to the skin or combined with Paramo Stretch Pants in very low temperatures."

In-use Test:

I wore the Paramo Aspira waterproof trousers along with the Aspira jacket on a number of trips in the Derbyshire peaks. The conditions were generally wet, windy and cold. As with other Paramo trousers, I've been perfectly comfortable wearing these trousers on their own - the fabric is certainly soft enough to wear next to the skin. The length and fit overall was good. (I'm 5'8'', of average build and was wearing the medium size.)

For me THE most important functions of trousers for winter walking are that they must keep me warm, dry, not restrict movement when getting over stiles or restrict movement during scrambles. I also want to be able to wear crampons so want some adequate reinforcement in the ankle area to prevent the material being snagged and ripped to shreds. Finally, I need to be able to get the trousers on and off easily over boots if I'm using them as over-trousers and know that they're not going to slowly slip down when they're wet.

The Aspira trousers certainly ticked all these boxes. The Analogy fabric is soft yet extremely waterproof and breathable. The knee areas are articulated and reinforced so movement is unrestricted and there is no sense of the trousers slipping down in the rain. (There is also a waist-cord.) The additional reinforcement (and insulation) is also evident in the seat and ankle areas.

The two-way side zips extend from top to bottom and are waterproof; as well as making it easy to get the trousers on and off, they also provided lots of flexibility in ventilation.

There are also two good size side-pockets which - because they're zipped - can be used without fear of everything falling out when you sit down or bend.

There's another quite distinctive yet very useful feature - the drop seat. The basic idea is that the design of the waist-band allows the trousers to stay up even when the seat is dropped. And the seat can be dropped (and reinstated!) really easily by releasing the side-poppers and undoing/doing up the side zips. Whilst this is aimed primarily at harness wearers, I found it very very useful for comfort-breaks without having to pull the trousers down to my ankles - ingenious!

Buying Advice:

The range of features in the Paramo Aspira waterproof trousers including the additional abrasion resistance in key areas plus the warmth and waterproofness is very impressive. If you're a woman who walks regularly throughout the winter, then the Paramo Women's Aspira Trousers are a really good investment. If you are a skiier - you'll find these trousers perfect for that too!

What do you think?

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