Paramo - Photographer-Friendly Gear To Protect You Whatever The Weather

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Páramo produces a wide-range of photographer-friendly gear to protect you from whatever the weather throws at you, right across the globe. Their line-up includes high-performance jackets and trousers, and fans of the outdoor clothing range include superb photographers such as David Noton and Chris Breen, both of which share more on Páramo's line-up below. 

David Noton

"The big trouble we photographers have that make our needs different from others who live and work outdoors is the amount of time we hang around waiting for the light in the most exposed positions. That wouldn’t be an unconquerable problem; fishermen do the same. The difference is we often yomp over the hills and far away with a heavy load to get there in the first place, getting hot and sweaty in the process. We need breathable layered systems just like mountaineers and hikers, but once in position we then hang about immobile for hours, losing core temperature as the sun dips and the wind whistles. When the rain is lashing, temperatures are near freezing and the wind is blowing, extreme discomfort at best and exposure at worst are inevitable if your layers and insulation are wrong. Getting it right requires thought, experience and planning.

There’s no doubt about it, the Páramo Halcon Jacket I’m using now is the best waterproof I’ve ever had. The Halcon does an admirable job, keeping me dry when I wouldn’t have believed it possible; it’s a very effective jacket for wet, windy, cool and cold conditions. The moisture escapes like water off a duck’s back. It has enough pockets for maps, lens caps, phones and gloves to keep us photographers happy and, crucially, a hood that works."

Morag Paterson

"My love of capturing abstract and intimate shots finds me upside down, flat on my belly clinging to rocks and mosses to get close enough to whichever unlikely subject has captured my attention. My mind becomes entirely focused on the task at hand and there’s no time to wonder if I’m getting wet or cold. Often this reverie only breaks after an hour or so and the time comes to straighten up and disentangle myself from the suddenly uncomfortable contortion - a sudden and unwelcome reality that I’m sure many photographers can empathise with.

Because I know myself well enough now, I rarely leave the house without my Cascada Trousers. I’ve accumulated three pairs over the years to ensure I never have to be without a pair while one dries out or is in the wash. They hold away the moisture and have an added bonus of adding a slightly padded layer for all that crawling around on the ground. With a full-length side zip for ventilation, they can also be put on or taken off over boots and shoes, very handy when I’ve traipsed them through a Scottish bog, or occasionally (OK, often) fallen into one!"

Chris Breen

"I travel to some incredible places around the world and I’ve finally found the perfect gear to wear when I am away. My Katmai Shirt is cool, feels good next to your skin and has an all-important concealed pocket for my passport, which I like to keep close-by at all times – and it looks good whether I am on safari in Africa or looking at bears in Canada. It’s lightweight, easy to wash and doesn’t need ironing – that’s about perfect for me!

My Maui Cargo trousers are outstanding too. They are so comfortable to wear when I travel (much more comfortable than wearing jeans on a long-haul flight!) they are cool in warm climates and dry really quickly when they get wet – as they do when I am looking at grey whales in Mexico’s Baja California! In the course of the past year they have come with me to find whales in Mexico, bears in Canada and a whole host of wonderful wildlife in Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe."