Waterproof Jackets

Marmot Keele Peak Jacket | Review

Designed for speedy ascents, this is an excellent, extremely versatile, climbing waterproof

Why We Chose The Marmot Keele Jacket: Excellent waterproof protection and breathability, durable but stretchy fabric

Founded in Colorado back in 1974, Marmot know more than a thing or two about what it takes to produce quality gear. Over the decades, they’ve delivered more consistently than many of their rivals and have, because of this, garnered themselves the kind of loyal following that many brands would kill to have. The impressive Keele Peak lives up their reputation, and is the kind of all-season waterproof jacket that’s very easy to like.

Who Is The Marmot Keele Peak Jacket For?

The first-rate waterproof credentials of this jacket means that any outdoor enthusiast who likes getting out and about in the wet stuff is bound to appreciate it. Getting more specific than that, many of the Keele Peak’s features stack up nicely to make it a real climber-pleaser. It’s a fast and light shell that’s designed for speedy ascents, but versatile enough to not look out of place on casual hill walks or backpacking trips.

Materials

The Keele Peak is a combination of Nylon Plainweave Stretch and Pertex’s top-spec Shield Pro fabric, one of their most durable offerings. For those not in the know, Pertex Shield Pro is weather protection technology that manages to keep the elements out while also being highly breathable. It’s a microporous form of waterproofing, meaning that water in liquid form can’t pass through its many microscopic gaps but water vapour can. What’s also notable about this membrane is that it’s made from a PU rather than the PTFE that the likes of Gore-Tex uses. That means none of those nasty PFCs are present here. One final benefit that this kind of membrane has it that it can be paired with slightly softer, stretchier fabrics than you tend to see Gore-Tex paired with.

Features

As mentioned already, the Keele Peak has definitely been made with climbers in mind. There’s articulation at the elbows and armpits, for instance, which will make it easier to move when you’re wearing layers, and there’s also a helmet-compatible peaked hood with adjustable drawcord at the back and a two-way zip for harness compatibility.

“It’s made from a PU rather than the PTFE that the likes of Gore-Tex uses”

If you’re really working hard and need a bit of airflow, fortunately there are large pit zips that you can open up. Always a useful feature to have. For even more airflow you could also button down the base of the main zip (which has a nice water resistant laminate) and then open up the bottom of the jacket to create a big front vent.

The hood is helmet-compatible. Photo: Mike Brindley

The Keele Peake has adjustable velcro cuffs. Photo: Mike Brindley

Some nice pockets on the Keele Peake. Photo: Mike Brindley

Other features include a zippered chest pocket for storing essentials, two zipped hand pockets (not great with a harness, these) and an adjustable hem and Velcro cuffs to allow you to optimise the fit

It’s available in ‘Black’, ‘Enamel Blue’, and ‘Team Red’.

Conclusion

The Marmot Keele Peak jacket has an RRP of £320. If you shop around online though, we think you’ll be able to find it at a slightly more affordable price point. Whether you end up paying full whack for it or bag yourself a bargain, we think you’ll be impressed by this properly versatile, properly tough, properly all-round waterproof.

Tester’s Verdict

Holly Burns, Outdoors Magic gear tester

“First initial thoughts – love the colour! Indigo / Deep Purple, or as Marmot call it, ‘Enamel Blue’ gets two thumbs up from me! Having previously lived in the wettest place in the UK for 4 years I know you never leave home without a waterproof even if it’s forecast for wall to wall sunshine – so I appreciated the low weight of the Keele Peak for when it was stuffed at the bottom of my pack.

Pictured: Holly Burns testing the Marmot Keele. Photo: Jordan Tiernan

“The Keele Peak Jacket is very lightweight, and as I found out during passing showers it beads very well. It’s lightweight, stretchy qualities mean it’s comfortable to wear even when the weather is muggy and thundery outside.

“The jacket has quite a high collar which is great for the when the hood is up and the weather is bad. It does mean that the collar sits out quite wide when the jacket is fully zipped up, which may look out of place down the pub, but I appreciated it whenever the weather turned grim!”