Women’s Talus Jacket

It’s almost impossible to find a warm waterproof that you don’t need to layer-up, but Keela has come close with this Primaloft jacket. It’s not waterproof – Keela says water-resistant – but we put it through a thorough shower test, and the shell shed all the water we could throw at it without any seeping through to the lining or – from what we could tell – effect on the loft. A generous filling of ethical and recycled Primaloft (water-resistant, artificial down) and super soft synthetic fleece panels and pockets make it instantly warm. It’s the perfect jacket for spring and autumn.

The Talus is the workhorse of our round-up of the best women’s down jackets and puffer jackets. Its ripstop outer material is far more resistant to tears and scratches than most down jackets (which can often rip at the slightest brush with a thorn) and you can tell this jacket was designed in Scotland, where four seasons in a day are likely – we found it water-resistant enough to put up with sudden rain, and it still offers warmth when damp, and dries quickly.

It’s also windproof enough to cut chill, making it a great standalone jacket on warmer days. Flexible, fleece-lined panels run all the way up the inside of the arms and offer great freedom of movement; coupled with a lighter dose of synthetic insulation, these make the Talus ideal for sports.

A reinforced peaked hood keeps water and sun out of your eyes and is also compatible with a helmet. The Talus’ fit runs small, and we’d advise going up a size if you want to wear more than a base layer underneath.

Keela Talus women's down jacket review: a hardworking jacket for challenging weather 

We love the subtle look of this hooded talus, which is insulated with synthetic insulation (primaloft gold) but doesn’t have the Michelin Man-style that most down mid layers have. The use of primaloft gold insulation, which is effective even if wet, combined with a windproof outer material means this is ideal for use in environments that are open to the elements. The jacket will also still trap in some heat even if you do get caught in a storm. If you’re looking for a mid layer that can work as an outer jacket in most conditions, this is a great pick. While currently out of stock, Keela promises it’ll be back very soon – keep your eyes peeled.

Although generally a 14, I chose the 16 as with a big bum and fairly wide hips, I usually have to go up as much as two dress sizes with jackets. The Keela is a good fit throughout the body including the waist, arms and chest but does fit snugly around my hips.

Thanks to the stretchy side panels however, the jacket doesn’t feel at all restrictive and those panels also help to further reduce the bulk of the jacket.

Over the past few weeks I’ve found the jacket to be extremely versatile; it packs down to a really small size and on cooler summer walks I’ve found it to provides the ideal extra layer.

I’d like to say a big well done to Keela for their colour options. Although I am one of those women who loves pink, and the brighter the better, a lot of outdoorsy ladies really dislike the narrowly gendered colour options often available and many outdoor brands seem to assume all women want bright colours and vibrant prints.

The Talus comes in 4 different slightly muted colours, all of which – despite my love of everything bright – I find appealing, so it feels like their colour choices are spot on and will appeal to most.

The pockets (2 on the outside, one on the inside) are all good sizes and the zip pulls are easy to grab and use. The cuffs are gathered slightly to stop wind whooshing up your sleeves, without them being tight and the hood is a good size and is helmet-friendly and easily adjusted.

I really like this jacket and I especially adore the colour! It adds warmth without bulk and protects against rain showers too. On long hikes I tend to get quite warm, so for spring and autumn hikes a lighter jacket like this is perfect for adding enough warmth but without making me overheat.

Although snug on the hips, I do like the fit of this jacket and the way it looks on. The lack of bulk means that on cooler summer walks I’ve found this jacket is ideal. If you like to layer and already have a fully waterproof outer that you like, then the Talus is great for use as a mid-layer in very cold weather.

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