Fleeces aren’t often the most exciting items in the outdoor store. There are plenty that are made to ‘just do the job’ – by providing a simple insulating layer, we mean – rather than offering anything particularly technical or interesting. But the Ostro Fleece by Páramo is a real exception. There is so much more to it, and this is why we’ve included it here in our Winter Outdoor 100.

Take the highly practical five pockets present here, all of which are lined with mesh Pump Liner and have been designed to help move moisture away from places you don’t want moisture to be. And what about the thoughtful, off-centre, placement of the zip which reduces discomfort around the mouth when zipped up. It might make the fleece look like a slightly wacky Picasso-esque creation but there’s a method in the madness, make no mistake.

“Like a loyal friend, who’s always got your back, the material actively pushes liquid water away from you…”

Páramo and Nikwax go together like a successful song-writing duo so we’re glad to see that partnership continuing here in the form of the Ostro. Nikwax Fleece is water-repellent, winter resistant and directional. Like a loyal friend, who’s always got your back, the material actively pushes liquid water away from you in order to keep you dry. The fabric used in the Ostro fleece also traps still air to keep you warm when the temperature gets wintery.