Waterproof Jackets

Keela Munro Waterproof Jacket | Review

This tried and tested heavyweight bruiser of a jacket has been around for over a decade now – and despite its traditional looks and throwback features, it retains a dedicated following.

Why We Chose The Keela Munro Jacket: Well-built, tough, protective

The Keela Munro jacket has been a mainstay of the Scottish brand’s range for over a decade now and in that time it has built a dedicated following, one which includes plenty of gnarly Scottish mountaineers and multiple Mountain Rescue Teams. In other words, serious mountain types.

Who is the Keela Munro Jacket for?

It’s the archetypal ‘bombproof’ mountain jacket – one that would really come into its own in ‘orrible conditions, and we don’t just mean a bit cold, wet and windy – we’re talking seriously fearsome winter weather. Think Cairngorms blizzards and other Scottish white-outs.

Related: Keela Talus Jacket Review

The Munro is big, burly and protective. In fact it’s a little too warm and too heavy to wear in the warmer periods of the summer months. It’s also undeniably a ‘put it on, leave it on’-type jacket – this is no light, packable layer to carry around with you all day. If you’ve got it with you, you want to be wearing it, as it weighs in at over a kilo.

But if you’re in the market for a burly fortress of a jacket to wear on cold and wet weather mountain adventures – and it would probably also make a decent ski jacket as well – this one’s a compelling option, especially when you consider the relatively reasonable price tag. Okay, it’s about £200, but given that a top-end Gore-Tex Pro shell can set you back £400+ these days, that’s not too bad.

Materials

Keela uses its proprietary System Dual Protection for the Munro jacket. So, it’s essentially a 2-layer hard shell that combines a waterproof and windproof outer fabric with a special drop liner. The laminated face fabric keeps water out, while a high wicking hydrophilic mesh inner draws moisture away from the body. Between the two layers, an air gap creates a natural thermal barrier, protecting against heat loss. This system isn’t dissimilar to the way that Páramo’s Nikwax Analogy works – although, unlike Páramo, Keela’s version is based on the familiar concept of a waterproof-breathable membrane.

Does it work? Well, yes, in certain conditions. On test the Munro proved to be breathable enough, especially with its pit zips opened up – we didn’t fug out in it at all. The double-layer construction gives it a reassuring protective feel too and, as Keela says, it’s warmer than conventional single fabric shells.

Features

The Munro has a belt and braces approach to features. Put it this way: if you like storm flaps, you’ll love this jacket.

The main two-way zip is equipped with a double stormflap, Velcro closure and snaps. You also get two zipped chest pockets with double stormflaps and twin fleece-lined hand-warmer pockets, also with stormflaps. The cuffs have Velcro adjustment, and sleeves are equipped with underarm pit zips (again with double stormflaps). There’s a detachable inner snow skirt, plus adjustable drawcords at the hood, waist and hem.

The Munro uses Keela’s ‘Explorer Fit’, their most generous cut. It is roomy in the arms and across the shoulders, permitting an excellent range of motion. In fact, it’s generous enough to accommodate multiple layers underneath. All this does however mean that if you’re used to contemporary, trim-fitting shells, you may find it too long and loose for your liking.

Other notable things about this jacket include its roomy, adjustable hood with a wired peak and a nice high baffle. There’s also an inside pocket big enough for a map and another for stashing a smartphone, avalanche transceiver or GPS unit. These are the sorts of extras that traditional hillwalkers will love.

Conclusion

The Munro feels bombproof, has plenty of features and is remarkably affordable. Its main drawbacks are its weight, its bulk and its traditional (some might say baggy) cut.

OM editor Will wearing the Keela Munro in Glencoe.

Despite that, this is a supremely hardwearing waterproof jacket designed to stand up to heavy use and foul weather. It’s overkill for fairer conditions but in amongst whirling spindrift and howling wind, you’ll probably appreciate its protective, fortress-like feel.

Tester’s Verdict

Will Renwick, editor of Outdoors Magic

“Shooting the videos and pictures that go with the Outdoor 100 project that this jacket features in is quite a demanding process that involves at least a fortnight out in the elements. And this year, where we travelled to the Accursed Mountains of Albania and the North West Highlands of Scotland, those elements involved a lot of wind, rain and cold weather – it was very hard going.

“You really don’t get many jackets like this these days.”

“I’m telling you this because normally during the project I’ll end up adopting an item within the guide that I know is going to keep me protected, one that will ultimately save my sanity. And this year that item was the Keela Munro. I wore it almost the entire time and if I ever had to take it off I’d be in a rush to get it back on.

“You really don’t get many jackets like this these days; jackets that you can really depend on and that are cut with practicality in mind first and foremost. Don’t get me wrong, I like an athletically cut jacket but more so for aesthetic reasons, because when the weather gets really rough, more often than not I won’t be enjoying it when the rain is running off the hem and straight into my trouser pockets.

“Keela have kindly let me hold onto this jacket and I’m glad that it’ll always be in my gear cupboard as an option for me to turn to when the weather forecast isn’t looking too promising.”

“Just a word on the sizing. I’m 5 foot 10 and quite slim and I tried this in a size Medium which is my usual size. It fitted, but I would be tempted to size down to a small.”