The Keela Cairn jacket is a light and packable yet protective waterproof jacket from Keela, a Scottish outdoor brand that has built a well-deserved reputation for turning out reliable and honestly priced kit.
We first reviewed this jacket for Trail Magazine when it was originally released back in 2016. It’s been in the product range ever since, with various design tweaks and upgrades over the years.
Described as a “versatile multi-sport mountain jacket for hillwalking, ski touring and winter climbing”, it offers plenty of technical features despite weighing less than 350g. It also seems very reasonably priced, particularly for a three-layer jacket.
www.mountainwarehouse.com
Pros
- Lightweight
- Packable
- Well-priced
- Three layer construction
Cons
- Pocket design could be improved
- No pit zips
- Narrow cuff tabs
Features
Let’s start with the hood, which can make or break a waterproof jacket. We liked the Cairn's very much. It’s large enough to fit over a climbing helmet but has three-way adjustment to ensure it can be cinched in tightly. It stays put even in strong winds, but cutaway sides ensure a good field of vision. It moves well with the head too.
The face drawcords are also designed to sit inside the jacket, so the loose ends don’t flail around in windy weather. A stiff wired peak deflects rain away from the face and a tab with a press stub means you can roll away the hood if required.
The main zip has a two-way zipper that zips right up to the nose. It’s a water-resistant reverse-coil design and is fitted with a chin guard and an inner storm flap too.
Sleeves feature contoured, partly elasticated cuffs to cover the back of the hands. There are Velcro-adjustable cuff tabs too, though they’re quite narrow and don’t provide the most secure closure. The hem has dual drawcord adjustment to prevent draughts whipping up your back. The jacket is not fitted with pit zips for ventilation though.
The Cairn has four pockets in total. There’s a small inner zipped security pocket at the chest, plus a similarly small outer zipped chest pocket. The two zipped hand pockets are roomier. They’re described as ‘harness-compatible’, but we found they were partly obstructed if you’re wearing a rucksack hipbelt.
Fit
The Cairn comes in a wide range of sizes for men (XS to 3XL) and women (UK 8 to 20). We tested the men’s jacket, and found it fits true to size. There’s plenty of length in the arms and torso, with a scooped tail for better rear protection.
Articulated sleeves ensure good freedom of movement and prevent the hem from riding up. The jacket uses Keela’s ‘Active Fit’, which is supposed to be trim but we’d describe the overall cut as regular. It certainly isn’t as trim-fitting as some other brands.
Fabric
This jacket uses Keela’s in-house Aquaflex three-layer fabric, which sandwiches a PU-based waterproof-breathable membrane between a micro-ripstop nylon face and a tricot fabric inner. It’s a more durable and comfortable construction than 2- or 2.5 layer jackets, which can sometimes feel clammy and plasticky.
Like most shell fabrics, this version of Aquaflex is a bit crinkly, but it’s thin and light, so it feels very flexible. On the flipside, it buckles in the wind more easily than stiffer, heavier jackets.
Sustainability
Keela describes itself as “one of the last ‘true’ outdoor gear manufacturers”, since their gear is all produced in their own factory facilities rather than being outsourced. The brand claims that each Keela garment is therefore 100% traceable, with production facilities accredited by ‘Garments without Guilt’ and every stage of the supply chain following the Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code.
Keela is also a signatory of the Sustainable Clothing Action Plan (SCAP) and offers a UK-based repair service (the Keela Clothing Hospital) to extend the lifetime of its products.
The jacket uses no recycled fabrics or components though.
Price and performance
In general, the Cairn performs extremely well, equalling or outperforming several other jackets we've tested that cost closer to £300. Only in the wildest and windiest weather did we wish for something a bit heavier and more protective. And when working hard uphill, we did find ourselves wishing the jacket had a bit more ventilation to help us dump heat and general fug a bit quicker.
But most importantly, it kept us dry. So, as a three-season shell intended for use from spring through to autumn, it does a great job, particularly given its low weight and excellent packability. At this price, we think it’s one of the best value waterproofs around.
How we tested the Keela Cairn jacket
Matt Jones, an experienced gear tester for LFTO and Trail Magazine, tested the Cairn extensively in the hills and mountains of Snowdonia, through the wet and cold months of October and November and even into December, when we had the first snow of the season.
Verdict
TheKeela Cairn is a dependable mountain-ready shell that is also lightweight and competitively priced. The fit and features could be refined a little, but this is still a great value buy.