I really like Keela. I have had two Munro jackets and they have been excelent. I'm not as intrepid as you but I don't drive and do a lot of cycling and kayaking. I sweat a lot and the pit zips/zents express the internal moisture really well. When I've been out in the wind and rain they have never let me down.
Nice review mate. I really rate Keela kit. I used the issue Tantalus jacket whilst serving and it was a great bit of kit. I'm just in the process of trialling some of their newer military jackets at the moment as it goes.
The slieve pocket would be for a ski lift pass. Many hard shells have them, and many skiers/boarders use hard shells. The ski lift card reader is akways on the left as one passes through.
Hi Bob and thanks for taking the time to watch and comment, it's really appreciated. I hadn't noticed the generous fit to be honest as I always opt for large sized waterproof jackets due to the fact that I'm 6' 2".
Great review & endorsement I will definitely give this jacket a consideration the next time I'm in the market for one. My two gripes with barrier-type waterproof jackets are the high cost and their lack of longevity (even with reproofing I find that after 2 years they are shot), so an alternative is welcome 👍👍
Watched your video after getting fed up with the prices for gortex 🥴 Just bought a keela prosport jacket for the hills. Hope it performs as well as your model
I had my Stratus jacket on only yesterday and once again, it delivered on all fronts. I hope you have a similar experience when you receive your jacket, do let me know how you get on. Please consider subscribing if you'd like to see more from my channel in the future.
Arktis have a similar system .i ve used their waterproof combat trousers and their Avenger jacket.i was the only one 100 % dry on a 1400 kms ,winter expedition.a mate had a brand new gore tex jacket,top of the range and it failed on the first day. As to sweating,i was a very fit runner(25 years ago) ,in Africa .i would only start sweating after my first 10 kms and that in very hot temps.today on the other hand ,i walk for 10 mins and i am sweating profusely.all that to say that the only way to manage sweat is to train in demanding environments .your body will tune up and sweat won't be a problem,regardless of the jacket. My training ,20 years ago: -4 ×8 kms weekly runs,slow,during the hottest part of the day with 5 kg back pack. - 1 × 20 kms run ,slow with backpack . I would consciously do all the yard work,construction... around the house in the sun. A successful trek in my view is 80 % physical and mental,gears make up the rest.
Nice to see you back. My current jacket is non-goretex. Brand us Seeland and the model is Kraft Force. Waterproof and designed to crash through the bush. I prioritized toughness as I've found a lot of Waterproof jackets easy to snag/rip. And yes Gore-Tex is very expensive!
Hi Ian, thanks for the welcome back and for sharing your current waterproof jacket setup. I hope to be back filming regularly after a rough time over the Summer.
Great review!! Just bought a brand new long gortex coat with lining and padding for £25!!! Looks like its escaped from the 1990's but who cares for working on the farm😂 ex-army gortex type jackets do for 90% of the time. Got a seeland Marsh coat for shooting, not the most waterproof thing as the seetex membrane is only rated at 10,000 mm, so do get damp in heavy sideways rain
Great review mate. I've just discovered your channel! I really rate Keela products, my latest is a long sleeved merino half zip. I virtually live in it. All the best. Clive.
Sweet the only water proofs I really liked were issued gortex or rain jacket and both had pants poncho was more if you weren’t expecting rain. We get some heavy rains and you just had to live in it.
Hi! I think you're on to something here. Most issues with jackets as far as my experience goes is that the vapor permeability leaves a lot to be desired in so far as letting the water vapor out that is expired by the human body. It's easier with contemporary materials to keep water out than to let a free flow or microclimate develop within the influence close to the body. This material sounds like it's on the right track. I've solved the problem by wearing a poncho made out of olefin (2GoSystems). It's very good at repelling water and it's vapor permeability is sufficient enough to stop water precipitating on the inside of the material, since a lot of the vapor is released through the bottom of the poncho and is a design strength of this geometry. Anyhow great review as usual and a lot to think about. Thanks.
@@TheBushcraftPadawan Thank YOU, for a great year of vids and relevant information. I know you work hard to make sure you present cohesive, accurate and comprehensive analyses. Have a healthy and prosperous New Year!
Hello Craig, Did you purchase the jacket or was it given to you by Keela to review? I appreciate you conveying the jacket performed well in the bad rainy weather but if the jacket is fairly new, then the jacket will tend to keep water out or perform better than if it was older and more used.
I wear the Keela Munro jacket (similar to the stratus). I need this jacket for my job in not only extreme conditions but also your run of the mill days. I have been wearing the Keela Munro jacket most days for just over 2 years. It has never let water in even when out for hours in 45mph winds with heavy rain (which happens often). I absolutely rate Keela jackets.
+Views and Reviews Hi Views and Reviews and many thanks for taking the time to drop by my channel, watch and comment, it's really appreciated. I'm glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for the positive feedback, cheers! Don't forget to subscribe if you haven't already, I'd really appreciate it, cheers! 👍
Very helpful review... I am contemplating the keela pinnacle jacket which I assume to be vey similar to the model you have tested.... I am pro Paramo jackets... Unfortunately the lighter weight jacket i use Paramo no longer make... I am a little hesitant to go over to the keela as i dont have the issues you mention here which i would like to avoid... Your review has been very helpful...thank you for posting...
Cheers Les, I hope you're keeping well? I'm usually a large in most outer shell jackets so I went for a large on this occasion and it fits well. Big enough to still be able to put several layers underneath but without drowning me and turning me into a sail in high winds.
How would you compare these to the Paramo products? I’m looking for a three season jacket and the Keelas are always seen on the outdoors especially with Mountain Rescue Teams.
Hi Irfan, I'm afraid I don't have any experience of using Paramo products, so can't offer an informed comparison. Please consider subscribing to my channel if you'd like to see more in the future.
@@TheBushcraftPadawan Hi mate, thanks for getting back to me. I’ve only gone and made the purchase and bought exactly the same colour and size. Really happy with the jacket and I can clearly see it’s a quality product! Can’t wait to take it to my NYE walk to Snowdon on Saturday! Also I have subscribed to your channel!
@@IrfanOomer Sounds like we might be both out on the hill on Saturday as I'm also planning a day out in Snowdonia too. I hope the Weather God's treat us well and that you get a good opportunity to test your jacket out.
@@TheBushcraftPadawan will you be in your Keela jacket? If so I’ll keep a lookout for you mate. Hopefully weather is good, keep refreshing the Mountain Forecast website. Don’t think there is any snow at the moment but got some microspikes just in case!
@@TheBushcraftPadawan hi mate just checking did you get out to Snowdon? I treated the jacket out in very harsh conditions and overall the jacket is a fantastic piece of kit, kept me dry inside (front and back), the breathability (SDP) is very good and works, the waterproofing is amazing. In summary a fantastic piece of kit and highly recommend!
I couldn't 100% say but only in the last day or two I've read something online that stated they were manufactured in the UK, but it's probably best to check their website out to be 100% certain.
Hi Craig, Nice jacket. Does this jacket need reproofing like a Gor-Tex product or do you just bung it the washing machine like a Buffalo product? I.e. How user friendly is the maintenance of this jacket? Many thanks and kind regards, T 👍
This would be really useful to know - not having to clean the pores of the membrane or having to reapply the water repellent coating would make this so much more appealing than Goretex.
I'm no expert in the costing models, but I expect the last few years of significant increases in material and production costs meant that they've had to increase their prices. I did some like for like cost comparisons at the point I purchased it and they were still coming in cheaper against competitors albeit more expensive than the same item might have been a few years previous.
Paramo isn't waterproof, it lets water in, your body heat has to pump that water out. Keela is supposed to be fully waterproof, your body sweat runs down the inside liner.
Yes i have one and its good....best i have had......i am out with Goretex, marketing hype......stratus = lots of pockets. Warmth is my priority, i can handle a bit of sticky sweatiness. The strangest thing is the sleeves are really long. Paramo are good with having pockets above waistband height....be nice if Keela went that way but the 2 top Napoleon pockets + other pockets are very useful and more than enough.....keys in the arm pocket.
Thanks for dropping by and sharing your own perspective on this jacket. I hadn't noticed the long arms, I guess that means I've got long arms! I've finally figured out what I can use the sleeve pocket for.... chap stick!
The only real 'pro' that you gave it over gore tex is that it's cheaper. You've said that it performs the same. Are you saying that it will stay waterproof forever?
@@TheBushcraftPadawan I don't know, that's what Keela's double layer system sounds like. So, what are the actual benefits over 3 layer membranes, other than the price? It's larger, heavier and warmer, which are all negatives.
Bought a £200 keela a year ago unimpressed by anything other than being durable, not breathable and a really bad cut in the hood and collar (far too small)
@TheBushcraftPadawan Hi, it's one of their special military ones got it for the big "bucket" pockets and sturdy main zip. A year on and it's not even that durable the outer ripstop fabric is wearing through in multiple places. Jacket I had previously was a berghaus goretex pro half the weight far more breathable and far more durable fabric problem with it was the waterproof main zip wearing out prematurely,actually the metal slider rather than the zip.
That material is not innovative just like goretex isn't. It is just a standard 2.5 layer raincoat with a fleese Liner. Which obviously performs about the same as a gortex based solution in some cercomdtances except that sometimes but not always the gortex might be able to evacuate swead faster. On the other side you have something like a parmo which has a very different set of performance charatarisics. Where it will be both dry and breadable under nearly alll circumstances, but only if you're body is hot and the environment is cold.
I really like Keela. I have had two Munro jackets and they have been excelent. I'm not as intrepid as you but I don't drive and do a lot of cycling and kayaking. I sweat a lot and the pit zips/zents express the internal moisture really well. When I've been out in the wind and rain they have never let me down.
Nice review mate. I really rate Keela kit. I used the issue Tantalus jacket whilst serving and it was a great bit of kit. I'm just in the process of trialling some of their newer military jackets at the moment as it goes.
Good to hear from you Tom. I had no idea that Keela issued stuff to the military during our time.
The slieve pocket would be for a ski lift pass. Many hard shells have them, and many skiers/boarders use hard shells. The ski lift card reader is akways on the left as one passes through.
Came here to say this. Useful ski pass pocket
Really glad you mentioned keela they seem great value and great to see their philosophy. 👌
Yeah, they definitely have an outlook and philosophy that I can get behind.
I’m a Buffalo advocate. 35 years and the most hard wearing piece of kit that keeps you warm in the worst weather.
Fair review. Worth noting is that it's a generous fit. I bought one last week but had to return it as the large is massive.
Hi Bob and thanks for taking the time to watch and comment, it's really appreciated.
I hadn't noticed the generous fit to be honest as I always opt for large sized waterproof jackets due to the fact that I'm 6' 2".
Keels are quite clear about the different fits on their website.
Great review & endorsement I will definitely give this jacket a consideration the next time I'm in the market for one.
My two gripes with barrier-type waterproof jackets are the high cost and their lack of longevity (even with reproofing I find that after 2 years they are shot), so an alternative is welcome 👍👍
You're very welcome, I'm glad you found the video useful. Please consider subscribing if you'd like to see more from my channel in the future.
Watched your video after getting fed up with the prices for gortex 🥴
Just bought a keela prosport jacket for the hills.
Hope it performs as well as your model
I had my Stratus jacket on only yesterday and once again, it delivered on all fronts.
I hope you have a similar experience when you receive your jacket, do let me know how you get on.
Please consider subscribing if you'd like to see more from my channel in the future.
I have the Munro jacket and it’s brilliant. Again check the specs and reviews 👍
Arktis have a similar system .i ve used their waterproof combat trousers and their Avenger jacket.i was the only one 100 % dry on a 1400 kms ,winter expedition.a mate had a brand new gore tex jacket,top of the range and it failed on the first day.
As to sweating,i was a very fit runner(25 years ago) ,in Africa .i would only start sweating after my first 10 kms and that in very hot temps.today on the other hand ,i walk for 10 mins and i am sweating profusely.all that to say that the only way to manage sweat is to train in demanding environments .your body will tune up and sweat won't be a problem,regardless of the jacket.
My training ,20 years ago:
-4 ×8 kms weekly runs,slow,during the hottest part of the day with 5 kg back pack.
- 1 × 20 kms run ,slow with backpack .
I would consciously do all the yard work,construction... around the house in the sun.
A successful trek in my view is 80 % physical and mental,gears make up the rest.
Awesome review
I have never used this coat & never heard of their system
I think I will have to give it a go.
Nice to see you back. My current jacket is non-goretex. Brand us Seeland and the model is Kraft Force. Waterproof and designed to crash through the bush. I prioritized toughness as I've found a lot of Waterproof jackets easy to snag/rip. And yes Gore-Tex is very expensive!
Hi Ian, thanks for the welcome back and for sharing your current waterproof jacket setup.
I hope to be back filming regularly after a rough time over the Summer.
Great review!! Just bought a brand new long gortex coat with lining and padding for £25!!! Looks like its escaped from the 1990's but who cares for working on the farm😂 ex-army gortex type jackets do for 90% of the time.
Got a seeland Marsh coat for shooting, not the most waterproof thing as the seetex membrane is only rated at 10,000 mm, so do get damp in heavy sideways rain
Great review mate. I've just discovered your channel! I really rate Keela products, my latest is a long sleeved merino half zip. I virtually live in it. All the best. Clive.
Me too!
I must admit that I find it a little short in the body, but fine in the arms.
I guess I'll have to go up a size if I buy another one.
Sweet the only water proofs I really liked were issued gortex or rain jacket and both had pants poncho was more if you weren’t expecting rain. We get some heavy rains and you just had to live in it.
Thanks for dropping by and sharing your own perspective on this Kenneth. Much appreciated 👍
Hi! I think you're on to something here. Most issues with jackets as far as my experience goes is that the vapor permeability leaves a lot to be desired in so far as letting the water vapor out that is expired by the human body. It's easier with contemporary materials to keep water out than to let a free flow or microclimate develop within the influence close to the body. This material sounds like it's on the right track. I've solved the problem by wearing a poncho made out of olefin (2GoSystems). It's very good at repelling water and it's vapor permeability is sufficient enough to stop water precipitating on the inside of the material, since a lot of the vapor is released through the bottom of the poncho and is a design strength of this geometry. Anyhow great review as usual and a lot to think about. Thanks.
Hi David and thanks for taking time to leave such an in-depth comment and for watching the original video. As always, it's really appreciated.
@@TheBushcraftPadawan Thank YOU, for a great year of vids and relevant information. I know you work hard to make sure you present cohesive, accurate and comprehensive analyses. Have a healthy and prosperous New Year!
Hello Craig,
Did you purchase the jacket or was it given to you by Keela to review? I appreciate you conveying the jacket performed well in the bad rainy weather but if the jacket is fairly new, then the jacket will tend to keep water out or perform better than if it was older and more used.
I wear the Keela Munro jacket (similar to the stratus). I need this jacket for my job in not only extreme conditions but also your run of the mill days. I have been wearing the Keela Munro jacket most days for just over 2 years. It has never let water in even when out for hours in 45mph winds with heavy rain (which happens often). I absolutely rate Keela jackets.
Hi, is there any chance of a response to my previous question? Thanks in advance.
Hi, over a year since your review, do you have any more thoughts on it? Still performing ok? Anything you dislike now? What was it like in the cold?
It would be appreciated if Buscraft Padawan (youtuber) responded to questions.
Great review; got my eye on a new outer shell so considering one of keela coats. ATB Mark.
I don't think you'll regret it mate, cracking bit of kit.
Don't forget to subscribe if you'd like to see more from my channel in the future.
All subbed up 👍 you’ve got a great presenting style. ATB Mark.
That's very kind of you Mark. Thank you for the feedback
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this jacket. I’m always looking for ways to save money and be comfortable.
+Views and Reviews Hi Views and Reviews and many thanks for taking the time to drop by my channel, watch and comment, it's really appreciated.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for the positive feedback, cheers!
Don't forget to subscribe if you haven't already, I'd really appreciate it, cheers! 👍
Very helpful review... I am contemplating the keela pinnacle jacket which I assume to be vey similar to the model you have tested.... I am pro Paramo jackets... Unfortunately the lighter weight jacket i use Paramo no longer make... I am a little hesitant to go over to the keela as i dont have the issues you mention here which i would like to avoid... Your review has been very helpful...thank you for posting...
A very good well balanced review. What are the sizes like? Thanks Craig
Cheers Les, I hope you're keeping well?
I'm usually a large in most outer shell jackets so I went for a large on this occasion and it fits well. Big enough to still be able to put several layers underneath but without drowning me and turning me into a sail in high winds.
How would you compare these to the Paramo products? I’m looking for a three season jacket and the Keelas are always seen on the outdoors especially with Mountain Rescue Teams.
Hi Irfan, I'm afraid I don't have any experience of using Paramo products, so can't offer an informed comparison.
Please consider subscribing to my channel if you'd like to see more in the future.
@@TheBushcraftPadawan Hi mate, thanks for getting back to me. I’ve only gone and made the purchase and bought exactly the same colour and size. Really happy with the jacket and I can clearly see it’s a quality product! Can’t wait to take it to my NYE walk to Snowdon on Saturday! Also I have subscribed to your channel!
@@IrfanOomer Sounds like we might be both out on the hill on Saturday as I'm also planning a day out in Snowdonia too.
I hope the Weather God's treat us well and that you get a good opportunity to test your jacket out.
@@TheBushcraftPadawan will you be in your Keela jacket? If so I’ll keep a lookout for you mate. Hopefully weather is good, keep refreshing the Mountain Forecast website. Don’t think there is any snow at the moment but got some microspikes just in case!
@@TheBushcraftPadawan hi mate just checking did you get out to Snowdon? I treated the jacket out in very harsh conditions and overall the jacket is a fantastic piece of kit, kept me dry inside (front and back), the breathability (SDP) is very good and works, the waterproofing is amazing. In summary a fantastic piece of kit and highly recommend!
I know they're based in Scotland, but are they manufactured abroad? Not that it's very important, as many are and work okay.
I couldn't 100% say but only in the last day or two I've read something online that stated they were manufactured in the UK, but it's probably best to check their website out to be 100% certain.
Hi Craig,
Nice jacket. Does this jacket need reproofing like a Gor-Tex product or do you just bung it the washing machine like a Buffalo product? I.e. How user friendly is the maintenance of this jacket?
Many thanks and kind regards,
T 👍
This would be really useful to know - not having to clean the pores of the membrane or having to reapply the water repellent coating would make this so much more appealing than Goretex.
What about the sleeves? Does the condensation drip out the cuffs?
+Vicky Alberts Not that I've noticed, but I suspect it escapes wherever it can.
Forearm pocket looks like it would be for a ski lift pass
Yeah, I guess that would work 👍
mmmm, can see this going on the Xmas list.
🎅📄
Good luck with Santa!
C-change from mammut was way better than gor-tex 20 years ago and would wipe the floor with it now.
The forearm pocket is for a ski lift pass.
So I believe, thanks for letting me know.
They have a US distributor?
+Capt. Chaos I'm not sure tbh. There may be some mention on their website.
The wrist pocket is for a ski pass
Keela used to be reasonably priced compared to the more famous brands but not anymore.
I'm no expert in the costing models, but I expect the last few years of significant increases in material and production costs meant that they've had to increase their prices.
I did some like for like cost comparisons at the point I purchased it and they were still coming in cheaper against competitors albeit more expensive than the same item might have been a few years previous.
Sounds like the paramo technology.
Thanks for dropping by and commenting, it's really appreciated.
Paramo isn't waterproof, it lets water in, your body heat has to pump that water out. Keela is supposed to be fully waterproof, your body sweat runs down the inside liner.
Yes i have one and its good....best i have had......i am out with Goretex, marketing hype......stratus = lots of pockets.
Warmth is my priority, i can handle a bit of sticky sweatiness.
The strangest thing is the sleeves are really long.
Paramo are good with having pockets above waistband height....be nice if Keela went that way but the 2 top Napoleon pockets + other pockets are very useful and more than enough.....keys in the arm pocket.
Thanks for dropping by and sharing your own perspective on this jacket. I hadn't noticed the long arms, I guess that means I've got long arms!
I've finally figured out what I can use the sleeve pocket for.... chap stick!
The only real 'pro' that you gave it over gore tex is that it's cheaper. You've said that it performs the same. Are you saying that it will stay waterproof forever?
Does *any* modern, performance, outdoor material stay waterproof forever?
@@TheBushcraftPadawan I don't know, that's what Keela's double layer system sounds like. So, what are the actual benefits over 3 layer membranes, other than the price? It's larger, heavier and warmer, which are all negatives.
Ridgeline Forest Smog the best Jacket ever
Have you used every jacket there ever was? 🤔😉
It's a shame they can't get some basics right. Hood sizing. Pocket sizing. Arm length. Zip quality. Montane do a better job.
I wish most of those jackets weren’t so ugly. Most look like 90s styles.
I'd never really considered form over function tbh.
Bought a £200 keela a year ago unimpressed by anything other than being durable, not breathable and a really bad cut in the hood and collar (far too small)
Which jacket was it ?
I have to say that's not been my experience of the Keela and I've worn it right throughout the last winter.
@TheBushcraftPadawan
Hi, it's one of their special military ones got it for the big "bucket" pockets and sturdy main zip.
A year on and it's not even that durable the outer ripstop fabric is wearing through in multiple places.
Jacket I had previously was a berghaus goretex pro half the weight far more breathable and far more durable fabric problem with it was the waterproof main zip wearing out prematurely,actually the metal slider rather than the zip.
That material is not innovative just like goretex isn't. It is just a standard 2.5 layer raincoat with a fleese Liner. Which obviously performs about the same as a gortex based solution in some cercomdtances except that sometimes but not always the gortex might be able to evacuate swead faster. On the other side you have something like a parmo which has a very different set of performance charatarisics. Where it will be both dry and breadable under nearly alll circumstances, but only if you're body is hot and the environment is cold.
If you lived where it rained all the time, like here in Alaska, you get use to being wet.
I take it you've never been to North Wales 😉