Prosport Jacket

OutdoorNews – “For an all-round, outdoor activities jacket, Keela’s Prosport Advance has it covered“

Scottish outdoor clothing manufacturer Keela has built a reputation for producing innovative garments packed full of technology, and quite rightly so. Established for over 25 years, the Glenrothes-based company specialises in providing a range of clothing and accessories for Police, Fire, Military, Medical and Tactical services around the world. It manufactures its garments right here in the UK, in an ethical and sustainable manner using the best quality materials. Plus, all that technical know-how and innovative design technology for outdoor professionals makes its way into their consumer range, which is great news for outdoor enthusiasts. With Autumn upon us, it seemed the perfect time to take Keela’s Prosport Advance technical jacket out for a hike in the hills on a very cold late September morning. First, the design. The jacket is created using a clever 4-way stretch fabric, giving a tailored fit while still offering freedom of movement. This is an outdoor activities jacket in every sense and I found no restriction of movement with or without a rucksack. Plus, it looks fab. In olive green with black zips it really stood out amongst the crowd and I had plenty of admirers.

Admirer: “What make of jacket is that, mate?”
Me: “Ah, Scottish manufacturer that makes clothes for tactical services. If I told you I’d have to kill you.”

You get the idea.

The Great Outdoors – “Does it work? Yes it does… The jacket is certainly warm compared with most waterproofs”

Keela’s unique System Dual Protection which isn’t new but which I’d not used before. As the name suggests it involves two waterproof/breathable layers, one attached to the outer fabric and one to the free-hanging mesh lining. Keela says the air gap between the two layers protects against heat loss, reducing the need for other layers, and, combined with the wicking properties of the lining, regulates body temperature, minimising overheating when active. This sounds excellent. Does it work? Yes it does… The jacket is certainly warm compared with most waterproofs and on a strenuous hill walk in a stiff breeze I had no condensation inside.

The Prosport Advance is well-designed. Keela hasn’t gone with the trend for exposed watertight zips but stayed with the very efficient double-front flap over a standard zip.

Wired for Adventure – “The key feature of Keela’s ProSport Adv Jacket is its waterproofing technology called System Dual Protection”

The key feature of Keela’s ProSport Adv Jacket is its waterproofing technology called System Dual Protection, or SDP. Keela says that the standard test method for breathable fabrics is conducted under dry conditions – conditions that in real life are only found in the Sahara Desert.

SDP is intended to be breathable in realistic conditions, both wet and dry. It achieves this by using two membranes with an air gap in between the two: as with double glazing windows, this gap should stop the build up of condensation by preventing cold air from coming into contact with warm air.

This double membrane also increases the jacket’s durability, as the garment will still perform if the outer layer is damaged. As well as the innovative waterproofing system, the jacket has a large hood which adjusts to fit the head well (although you do need to use two hands to make the adjustment). The two main pockets are high to keep them out of the way of a rucksack’s waistband; they’re also mesh lined for added ventilation.

Snow Magazine – “Keela have then incorporated all the major features you need in an outdoor jacket”

We test the Keela Prosport Adv to see just how good this well-designed jacket for all-round mountain use really performs on the mountains.

The Prosport Adv jacket uses Keela’s ‘System Dual Protection’ to repel the weather, and as such it’s just as well suited to foul conditions in the British hills as it is to winter in the Alps.

The outer fabric features a breathable membrane teamed with a mesh lining that has a high-wicking hydrophilic membrane laminated to it – these two layers of fabric create an ‘air gap’ providing a natural thermal barrier, protecting against heat loss and reducing the need for bulky layers – The resulting relatively light and loose feel of the Prosport is one of its great features.

Meanwhile the hydrophilic membrane rapidly transports moisture away from the body, keeping you dry and comfortable.

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All in all the Prosport Adv is a great value, rugged and versatile jacket that you could use year-round in the hills at home and abroad.

Independent – “Passing the waterproof, windproof and breathability tests with flying colours”

Waterproof hardshells have a reputation for being on the minimalistic side, but this isn’t an issue with Keela’s prosport offering. As well as passing the waterproof, windproof and breathability tests with flying colours, we found that the prosport gave us more storage than any of the other jackets we tried. In addition to two deep front pockets and a roomy chest one, the jacket even has its own concealed security pocket that’s big enough for an OS map. Although a little on the heavy side for a waterproof, we forgave it this slight issue because we rarely had to take a bag when wearing it.

BBC Countryfile Magazine – “Warm, comfortable, affordable; excellent pocket positioning”

Warm, spacious and cosy, the Prosport compromises two layers – a waterproof, breathable outer and comfortable, moisture wicking inner – between which an air gap helps reduce the build-up of moisture. The hood can be tightened securely, and pocket design is well judged. The Prosport fits large, leaving lots of room for underlayers.
VERDICT: Warm, comfortable, affordable; excellent pocket positioning.