Key Features

Waterproofing: The Cairn jacket uses Keela’s innovative 3-layer Aquaflex technology that offers lightweight and breathable wet-weather protection.

Hood: The hood is fixed and helmet-compatible, including a protective peak and volume adjuster.

Adjustment: There’s adjustable, elasticated cuff tabs, a fully customisable hood, and an adjustable shock cord at the hem.

Fit: Constructed using Keela’s ‘Active Fit’ – the Cairn jacket has a trim and stretchy fit that’s still roomy enough for a mid layer underneath.

Storage: You’ll find two hip pockets with glove-friendly zipper tabs.

Packability: It’s light and packable so it’s super easy to stash into the pocket of a backpack when you don’t need it.

Fit

I’m roughly 5 foot 6 and I have a stocky and curvy build. I tried the Cairn in a UK size 18 and found that it fitted true to Keela’s Active Fit which is described as ‘trim with clever tailoring’. The jacket contoured the curves of my body, particularly at the waist, and then widened towards the hem for freedom of movement at the thighs.

For most of my hikes, I wore the Cairn jacket with a base layer and a lightweight fleece (Keela’s Nairn Polartec fleece to be specific) underneath. I found that it layered well and still provided enough stretch for active motions on the trail. The articulated sleeves were particularly handy when scrambling, and ensured the hem didn’t ride up too much when stretching upwards.

When bulked up with both a fleece and a softshell underneath, however, the jacket started to get a bit tight, particularly towards the hem. I’d recommend sizing up if you run a little cold and really like to stack your layers.

Design

The 3-layer Aquaflex technology is the main thing to note here. This is Keela’s proprietary fabric built for lightweight and breathable waterproof protection. Put simply, it consists of a ripstop nylon face fabric, a PU-based waterproof layer in the middle, and an inner scrim that all work together to keep you dry and protected. It’s been tested to withstand up to 10,000mm of heavy rain, which – while not the highest number out there – is impressive considering the weight of this thing. So far, I’ve had no problems here. It’s kept me dry in some stormy conditions while not feeling too clammy at the same time.

The Active Fit is another great detail. If you prefer a slim fit that morphs to the shape of your body then I think you’ll get along well with the Cairn. It’s got a feel that almost makes you forget you’re wearing it. Perfect for pounding out quick miles on the hills. If, however, you prefer a baggier fit where you can layer and stuff your pockets to the nines, I’d look elsewhere.

Details

In terms of flair and features, the Cairn is a relatively simple jacket. You’ll find a helmet-compatible hood with a sturdy peak and volume adjuster, a two-way front zip with an inner storm flap, two roomy hip pockets, adjustable cuff tabs, and an adjustable shock cord at the hem.

It’s worth noting that there are no pit zips so you’ll need to unzip the jacket fully if you need to dump heat. As someone who runs very warm, I’d say that the breathability of the jacket helps to make up for this.

The hood is very functional and features a three-way adjustment with a cinch cord at the rear and two toggles either side of the chin guard. During my tests, my head felt protected when battling against harsh winds, and my vision was clear from all sides.

The hip pockets become a little obstructed with some backpack hip belts but how much this bothers you is pretty subjective. Personally, I’m not too fussed if I have to undo my hip belt every now and then.

Verdict

All in all, I’d say this is a great all-rounder waterproof jacket. It’s super lightweight and packable, and does exactly what it says on the tin. While I tend to opt for baggier waterproofs in my day-to-day life, I was impressed with how stretchy and comfortable the Active Fit was as I moved through the mountains.

The breathability was also a huge plus, especially in a jacket this lightweight. That’ll be thanks to the 3-layer membrane that works to wick sweat away from your body while keeping the rain out.

I also appreciated the muted colourways that are bright enough to keep you safe and seen on the trail, while not being super in-your-face at the same time. At £180, the price point is very good too. A lot of 3-layer waterproof jackets can set you back a good £300 these days so fair play to Keela for that.

Buy The Keela Cairn Jacket: £180 at Keelaoutdoors.com