Keela Hydron (2016)

Features

Keela uses its own Air Xtreme Advanced fabric, which is a 3-layer laminate with stretch that is water- and wind-resistant but not as breathable as an open-weave material; but you do also get side zips to aid ventilation. You also get two Napoleon chest pockets plus two handwarmer pockets. There is a hood with a wired peak and the cuffs get Velcro adjustment. At 663g it’s not the lightest option, though. 4/5

Fit

The size range is S-XXL for men. On me the fit was slightly looser than some and allowed some space to wear an insulating layer underneath. The hood fitted particularly well and easily moved with the head, while its wired peak allowed excellent vision. There is very little movement in the cuffs when raising the arms, too.  4/5

Comfort

The Air Xtreme Advanced fabric is softer than many membrane materials while the air-channelled soft-brushed backer adds great comfort against bare arms and over other layers. The fabric is less breathable than more open-weave options but you can wear it in wetter and windier weather, so it depends where you sit on these two preferences. 4/5

In use

There is great weather protection here, meaning the Keela Hydron is ideal for mizzly mountain days. The hood is so good that you can wear it all day and still navigate to the end of your route. The two Napoleon chest pockets are larger than many, making them useful for GPS receivers or phones as well as a small guidebook. The lower pockets are OS-map-sized but access to them is easily obscured by rucksack hipbelts. 4/5

Value

The price is very good for the number of features and the level of wind and water protection being offered here. 5/5

Verdict

The Keela Hydronoffers outstanding protection from wind and rain, along with a range of very practical features. 4.2/5

Review by Graham Thompson

First published in Trail magazine September 2016