articles/Nature/outdoorgeartesting-page1

OUTdoor Gear Testing - part 1 of 1 2

by Mike McNamee Published 01/10/2011

McNamee takes Gallagher out to play in Keela kit

The thing I love about travelling is the people you meet. Earlier this year I was running a workshop on the Outer Hebrides and one evening, whilst catching up with emails in the bar, I was fortunate to meet a chap called Iain Caird who told me he worked closely with a company caller Keela. I was honest when I said to him that I had not heard of the company, and furthermore was even more surprised to find out that they are an outdoor clothing company, based in Scotland, who are one of the only few UK manufacturers! I thought I knew a lot about Scotland and the outdoors so this was a revelation. Having had a great talk together, Iain suggested that I try some of the clothing for myself whilst out on my travels with my camera. So I willingly agreed. A few weeks later I received three pieces of kit, a pair of Kella Scuffers HW trousers, an ADS long sleeved, zip top under-layer, and a Neutronic Smock Jacket.

Scuffers HW Trousers

My first impression of these trousers is that they were clearly made of the right stuff! This sounds simple, but over the years I have had so many pairs of trousers that are flimsy, hold the wet without repelling it, and let the cold air through far too readily. These trousers are tough and made of a 4-way stretch fabric with reinforced knee and seat area, with two zipped side pockets and back Velcro pocket, good sized belt loops and belt with ankle zips so you don't have to remove your shoes or boots. They are also designed with Inner Scuffer welt panels on the inside ankle of the trouser leg which is superb because this is the part of the trouser that gets the dirtiest and takes a hammering. The real test was out in the wilds and they certainly did not let me down. Since being sent the Keela Scuffers HW, they have been worn extensively and performed faultlessly in cold and wind, during scrambles, in mud and water and, just as important, in warm weather (when I did not overheat). The water repellence was remarkable and they dried out almost as quickly as the rain went away - so not walking with wet trousers!

ADS Long Sleeved Ziptop

ADS stands for Active Dispersal System where the garment actively wicks away moisture, maintaining comfort and dryness. This top also boasts a UV protection of +40 to stop you getting burned by the sun on warmer days or days when you are at high altitude. The zip allows for further ventilation but also zips up very snugly round your neck, when required, to keep a cold breeze away from your skin. In the field the top did exactly what it promised and I stayed dry throughout, all the times I wore it.

It was flexible, lightweight, cool when I needed it to be, and equally warm beneath an outer layer. I swear by these types of layers, certainly in spring and autumn, and this top certainly matched the performance of others I had worn over the years. Neutronic Smock Jacket

This jacket really shocked me. The things I always look for in clothing are weight, fit and performance and this had it in bundles! When you first hold it, it weighs almost nothing (at less than 4oz) and is made of the innovative fabric Flylite Ripstop, with a wicking mesh lining. The jacket has a quarter-length zip, extending from the neck to the middle chest with an elasticated waist and cuffs. When I tried it I was amazed at how effective it was.

I could hardly tell I had it on and all I could feel was the pressure of the wind as it hit me but without it passing through my layers beneath. The neck zip fits snugly and neatly and the elasticated waist and cuffs were perfect for preventing drafts. I had never tried a layer like this before but it is the perfect garment to keep the cool air away without being vulnerable by just wearing a base layer, or donning a fully waterproof coat (its associated weight and bulk).

• OUTdoor Gear Testing page 1
  
• OUTdoor Gear Testing page 2
  

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