Belay Smock

Jamie Dakota, Chief Instructor Howl Bushcraft – “I’ve never known a synthetic jacket to keep me so consistently warm”

I run a wilderness skills business and have to be out in all weather, and be able to look after my clients so I rely on my clothing to guarantee I’m in a position to help no matter the conditions.

Specifically your belay pro jacket and ventile smock are now my standard outfit when outdoors. I’ve never known a synthetic jacket to keep me so consistently warm even in torrents of rain as the belay pro, I even fell out of a canoe in it and with a half hour on being back in the boat paddling it was all but dry again and kept its insulation the whole time.

Combat and Survival – “All in all this is a great garment from Keela in their Outwear Thermal range, with good features”

I am a fan of this design concept and it is one used by a number of manufacturers these days. All have their own little differences.
Keela have taken this garment to a high level. For a start, they use Primaloft insulation. For my money, this is definitely a good thing and in practice it works very well. Not only is it warm but also highly water-resistant in its own right, so if the outer layer gives up against the rain this will also help to keep you dry.
Starting at the top there is a basic hood which folds into the collar. The collar has a drawcord and there is a front zip. The side vents on the Keela not only zip up the side for access and ventilation but also continue down the arms and so work as ‘pit zips’ and are double-ended for total flexibility. This works very well and gives a lot of venting options which, given the ability of Primaloft to keep you warm, is a good thing when you are ‘busy’. The ends of the sleeves have Velcro cuffs to adjust to suit needs. On the front is a ‘kangaroo’ pouch pocket as well as hand-warmer pockets, which are soft feel material for added warmth.
All in all this is a great garment from Keela in their outerwear thermal range, with good features.

Outdoor Photography – “a firm favourite”

Originally developed for the tactical forces, the Belay Smock has now become a firm favourite for those that prefer an over the head design. Combining PrimaLoft insulation with a highly functional design, this jacket takes its place for professional users. The unique PrimaLoft insulation keeps working even when wet, so you don’t need to worry about getting caught in a downpour. And the lightweight filling means the Belay can be squashed down – perfect for shoving in a bag for use when needed.