Hydron Softshell Jacket

All Things Cuillin – “the Hydron and Scuffers are fantastic bits of kit. I’ve used them a lot and they do the job well. Simply put, they work, they get used a lot”

If you like your reviews short and plain speaking then I’ll cut to the chase and say the Hydron and Scuffers are fantastic bits of kit. I’ve used them a lot and they do the job well. Simply put, they work, they get used a lot.

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I have now had the Keela gear for three months and the unusually wild weather has meant the Hydron has had a heck of a lot of use, perhaps more than in a usual summer. The Scuffers have similarly be worn a lot. Three months may not sound long but as a mountain guide and photographer, I am out in the hills most days so the tough testing soon adds up. It’s hard to imagine a tougher environment for kit testing.

Extremely abrasive rock such as gabbro and peridotite, endless scree slopes, high winds, heavy rain, hail and sleat combined with long days in the mountain carrying heavily loaded back pack, climbing and scrambling makes for a torture test for clothing.

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The Air Xtreme external fabric is softer than lots of membrane type materials whilst the internal square patterned, air channeled fabric is warm and comfortable and feels nice on the skin. A medim fits me well and allows room both for movement and for additional layers to be worn underneath. It’s warm, relatively weather proof, comfortable and hardwearing.

One downside perhaps for summer use is the weight of 663g which is possibly on the heavy end of things. Given the bad weather it has seen a lot of use but had things been warmer and drier then a slightly lighter alternative may have been better. To be honest, the weight does reflect the tough build, robustness and design and I’d rather have that combination than an ultra light weight garment that wasn’t capable of the rigors of the Cuillin mountains.
If you are going to wear it most of the time then the weight really isn’t a problem. The only time the weight is a real penalty is if the weather improves and you need to carry the softshell. For spring, autumn and winter this is an ideal softshell but maybe overkill for warmer/drier conditions.

Despite a lot of use, the jacket shows no sign of wear or tear. It has become a personal favourite to the extent it is one of those garments that my wife, Bridgette, has to forcibly confiscate for washing!

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People who know me, will realise the emphasis I place on “usability” as a major usually the most important criteria when I review gear. If it’s usable then it works for me and gets used. Forget pointless bells and whistles, usability rules and the Keela Hydron and Scuffers have usability to spare.

Grough Magazine – “The Hydron has all the features you need for your journeys into the hills”

The Hydron is one of the most technical jackets in the test, with lots of features to keep you comfortable on the hill.
Keela has picked up the design baton too, and the Hydron is a good looking garment.

The shell is slightly stretchy and has a good amount of water resistance. The jacket is fully featured, with a helmet-compatible hood, articulated sleeves and zipped side vents.
The lining of the Hydron is a matrix pattern of small rectangles. This helped deliver good breathability in what is a fairly warm jacket.

Windblocking was good, and the Keela jacket kept out a few showers encountered during testing.
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The Hydron has all the features you need for your journeys into the hills. It worked well in showery weather though, as with all these softshells, persistent rain will soak through eventually. It has well-thought-out touches and its design makes it suitable for those strolls to the shops or pub as well as expeditions into the great outdoors.

Windblocking 26/30
Breathability 15/20
Warmth 15/20
Comfort 8/10
Quality 7/10
Value for money 7/10
Total score: 78/100

Scottish Field – “As well as wired hood, the zips under the armpit, and cuff adjusters, it’s got some thoughtful innovations”

I WANT IT BECAUSE: It’s made of a breathable, stretchy active fit material which allows for two-way movement, yet it is completely waterproof.

USEFUL FOR: Walking. There’s space for a helmet under the adjustable hood so it’s also useful for cycling/climbing.

HIGH POINT: As well as wired hood, the zips under the armpit, and cuff adjusters, it’s got some thoughtful innovations, such as a user-friendly hood holder, zips operable using one hand, and a hem shock-cord that can be tightened/ locked one-handed.