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Will Renwick on our 360 gear
We sat down with Will Renwick, a highly regarded outdoor journalist at Outdoors Magic and one of the foremost authorities in the field. Will’s expertise is unparalleled—he’s walked every national trail in Wales, circumnavigated its entire perimeter, and summited all 189 of its peaks. Beyond his personal achievements, Will contributes to numerous outdoor industry award juries, where he applies his sharp insight to help enthusiasts select the best gear through his fair and thorough reviews. When it came to seeking expert feedback on our new 360 circular jackets, Will was our first choice. After all, if there’s one person who knows a great piece of kit when he sees one, it’s Will…
Starting simply, what do you think makes a great outdoor jacket?
For me, lifespan and longevity are really important. I love gear that’s not only built to last but is also built to see out passing trends – stuff that’s timeless.
Of course, we know our 360 gear is worth the investment, but we’d love you to share your own take on why it’s worth the investment too…
This links into what I said about longevity. I really like that Páramo’s intention is to create a product that stays with you for a long, long time – and that it can even be passed on to someone else to stay with them for years too. If you own a jacket for, say, over five years and use it regularly, then think about the cost per wear – in the end, it’s going to be absolutely minuscule.
What feature of our 360 products do you rate the most?
I like the hood design you tend to see on most of Páramo’s jackets, as I find it holds extremely reliably, even in the worst weather.
What products do you recommend combining our 360 gear with for the best outdoor experience, Páramo or other?
Combine, say, the Páramo Aspira 360 Smock and the Páramo Cascada II Trousers, and you’ve got yourself an excellent barrier against the elements – without the usual clamminess you expect from wet weather gear.
How does our 360 gear complement your work as an outdoor magazine journalist?
I review a lot of gear, and over the years I’ve found that, in many cases, there might not be much separating one jacket from another – save for a different logo. So first of all, I appreciate the 360 gear for giving me something genuinely distinctive to write about and assess. In a practical sense, I’ve used 360 gear on a number of shoots now and it’s been dependable.
Páramo has always taken full responsibility for the lifecycle of its products and championed sustainable practices in the textile industry. Are you seeing other brands follow our lead?
There are a lot of brands that are taking some steps. However, not too many are going to the same lengths as Páramo. I think you deserve credit for innovating – not just following what the bigger brands in the outdoor industry are doing.
Tell us about your next big outdoor adventure and the gear you’ll be taking with you.
I’m planning a week-long trip to Eryri (the Welsh name for Snowdonia National Park in North Wales) soon, as I need to go and check a number of routes for a guidebook I’m working on. It’s going to be called Peak Bagging Wales, and it’ll be a resource for those who want to climb all of Wales’s mountains in an efficient and enjoyable way!
I was approached to write the guidebook by Vertebrate Publishing after I linked up all 189 Nuttalls (peaks) in Wales in a solo, self-supported run a few years ago. Funnily enough, I had a Páramo Windproof with me for the duration of that challenge.
What is a common outdoor gear mistake?
I think a lot of people are tempted into buying lightweight and cheap waterproof boots – and they’ll find they start leaking within a year and need replacing. Instead, invest in a pair that’s sturdy, durable and well-crafted, and you’ll definitely be saving money in the long run.
Is there a dream product you’d like Páramo to develop in the future?
I think a bivvy that uses Nikwax Analogy fabric and a Pump Liner would be pretty nifty for certain situations!
One for fun: if time, money and distance were no object where in the world would be your dream hike?
I’ve just got back from a summer trip to Whistler in Canada, which was bucket list stuff for me. I’m pretty happy closer to home though. Actually, you know what? If I could, I’d love to walk the 1,034-mile perimeter of Wales again. I did it when I was about 22, and it was just the best adventure.