Field Report Keela Rock Jacket

Date: January 23, 2006
Tester: Rosaleen Sullivan
Age: 55 years
Gender: Female
Height: 5’ 9’’ / 1.75 m
Weight: 180 lb / 82 kg
E-mail: rosaleen43 (at) msn (dot) com
Home: Eastern Massachusetts, USA
Tester Background/Style
I’ve been backpacking off and on for about 20 years.   My normal gear includes a hammock, down bag and jacket, hiking poles, and an alcohol or fuel tablet stove, gear subject to revision for each trip. I also enjoy making gear, and often nudge myself out of a design daydream on the trail. Preferred trips last 3 days, but I have backpacked 10 days straight. While most of my journeys are within New England, I’ve hiked the length of the Smoky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, and other trails far from home.

Manufacturer: Keela International Ltd.
URL:  http://www.keela.co.uk/
Year of Manufacture: 2005
MSRP:  not listed
Product Specifications:
Product Information from the website
Product Name:  ROCK JACKET SDP
Size Range: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Color choices:  Light Grey/Dark Grey, Platinum/Black, Bluestone/Grey
Fabric:  Innovative Lite Ripstop
Lining: ADS laminate
NEW FOR SPRING 2005 Lightweight SDP jacket.
High specification without the weight!

o  Integral wired peak hood with volume adjustment
o  4 Dual entry front pockets
o  Internal O/S Map pocket
o  Underarm zip ventilation
o  Double storm flap with Velcro closure
o  Scooped drop back
o  Chin guard
o  Velcro adjustable cuffs
o  One handed draw puller movement

Product Description (For more details, see my Initial Report)
The Keela Rock Jacket that I am testing is a men’s size large platinum and black version.  The jacket features a wire brimmed hood, with three adjustment options, four zippered outside pockets, protected by storm flaps, and an underarm vent on each side.  All flaps have hook and loop closures.  The chin flap and jacket bottom are secured by metal snaps.  Another feature of this jacket is a smooth-to-the-touch mesh lining.  The manufacturer claims that a bellows effect of the free-hanging lining working with the vented jacket should allow perspiration vapors to escape, keeping the wearer comfortable through a range of activities.  As I understand their literature, the Dual Protection System refers to the jacket’s ability to protect the wearer dry from the inside while providing non-bulky insulation.  The outer layer is made of polyurethane coated ripstop nylon and the inner mesh is polyester.  Care instructions: hand wash with pure soap, drip dry, and cool iron. 
Experiences thus far
I have worn this jacket nearly daily since receiving it two months ago.  It has worked for daily wear, day hikes, and backpacking trips.  I used it on the Pennsylvania trip mentioned in my Initial Report and on short hiking and packing trips on local (Eastern Massachusetts) trails.  In temperatures above 40 to 50 F (~ 4-10 C), I used the jacket totally unzipped or carried it.  Down to about 25 F (~-4 C), I’m good with just a fleece jacket under it, often both unzipped,  if I’m moving well or walking in sunshine (as on the school playground).  As the sun goes down, the wind picks up, or I become stationary, I need to don more layers.  It has shed rain and snow equally well for me.  It is a great feature to be able to vent the jacket while still maintaining protection in a storm.  With all this wear, I see no evidence of pilling, abrasion, pulled threads or seams, or any damage.  I’m surprised that the inside mesh has not at least become abraded from Velcro on other clothing that has brushed against it.  I have been pleased that the side vents and the pockets are accessible while I wear my backpack.
Test Plan
 I plan to continue wearing the Keela Rock Jacket for every day wear, as well as for backpacking.  In addition to short burst treks near home, I have a 3 to 5 day trip planned in Pennsylvania next month (February 2006).  I anticipate temperatures could average in the 20’s F (~7 C). This winter has had major ups and downs, so I need to be prepared for colder or warmer, and sunny/rainy/snowy conditions.  If Pennsylvania is like New England, I could experience 3 or 4 seasons in one weekend.  The jacket is getting a bit dingy, especially around the cuffs, so I will wash the jacket before the Long Term Report, and report on any changes I can detect from laundering.

Things to continue Look for or Test

o  Does the jacket keep me comfortable over a range of conditions and activities?  So far, yes.
o  Do insulation layers fit under the jacket comfortably and still allow ventilation?  Again, yes.
o  Ease and comfort of the hood adjustment over different layers?  No problems noted.
o  Accessibility of various pocket contents while jacket is worn, with/without gloves or mittens or wearing pack?  This can get awkward.
o  Effectiveness and ease of use of pit zips?  Excellent.
o  Range of motion while wearing jacket/over layers?  Excellent.
o  Effectiveness/awkwardness of storm flaps?  No problems noted.
o  Comfort of “chin guard?”  Excellent.
o  Does the jacket shed wind, rain, and snow?  Yes.
o  Any signs of wear over the test period?  No.
o  Any problems with fasteners or stiffeners?  No.
o  Any problems with cleaning, if required?  Not cleaned yet.

Likes
So far the Keela Rock Jacket appears to be a well-constructed, nearly “bomb-proof” jacket.

Dislikes
None, at this time.

Thanks for reading my report,

Rosaleen Sullivan