Review: Keela Pinnacle Jacket

This item has now been with me on several multi-pitch climbing days with hour plus walk ins to the routes. I just loved this jacket as soon as I opened the parcel and could barely wait to get the thing into the mountains. Recently the weather here in the Catalan and Spanish Pyrenees has been a real mixture. One minute 20-plus degrees and the next much much cooler, with fast approaching black clouds, gust fronts and light showers. Ideal conditions for this shell and layering clothing beneath it.

Starting the morning hike with a combination of a base layer, light down jacket and then the Keela outer shell, we quietly wound our way through forest road. Leaving the tree-line, the wind picked up while up on the rock plateau as we followed random cairns toward the base of our climbing route at La Predicadera in the province of Huesca. On this particular trip I wore the garment for the full hour and a half hike to the rock, never feeling like I needed to relieve myself of it. On other trips like this, it was too much thanks due to higher temps and came in and out of the backpack only when exposed to wind.

I led the first pitch of the planned 4-pitch route that day and stuffed the shell and the down into my backpack before ascending, climbing in just the base layer. Clambering onto the first belay point at the end of pitch one, with the breeze setting in, bringing up Núria as second, the light down and the jacket came back out of the bag. The wind came and went, the Keela keeping those gusts well away. It would probably have been enough wearing it on its own at that moment with just the base underneath. Although the fit is pretty much perfect, there is still enough room in the arms and back to climb in this jacket too. I left the underarm vents open to allow the Aquaflex Extreme fabric to further breath while hauling up the rope before Núria followed.

With the hood designed to be worn with a helmet and the high chin guard, one can feel nicely protected ensconced within this jacket. The material feels tough and will certainly enjoy a long life on the mountain. The rock types along the Pyrenees vary massively and here in La Predicadera, it’s grippy conglomerate rock of superb quality. Great for trusting your feet when climbing, notoriously bad for clothes. This jacket came back from that trip without a scratch however and I used it frequently. The pockets are generous and where you would expect them, in this case big enough to take a radio, phone, a fist full of climbing slings and some easy to reach snacks. As mentioned, Keela told me not to store valuable items in these pockets when being rained on, owing to their limited water resistance.

High Neck and Chin Guard

With the high neck and chin guard it’s super cosy, especially with the soft lining material that’s been added to protect one’s chin when it rubs against it.

Helmet Compaitable Hood

The hood has been produced to accommodate a helmet, as you would expect from any good quality mountain jacket.

Large Pockets

The pockets are of a generous size, two hand warmers at the waist and two breast pockets. Each zip has a really handy large toggle too making them super easy to negotiate even with gloves.

Pit Zips

And the all-important underarm zipped vents are present also. If you intend on using a jacket during mixed conditions and during variable exercise, pit-zips are a must. I’ve found myself using these frequently meaning I can stop less to change layers.

Cuffs

The adjustable Velcro cuffs are of a decent size and can be opened and closed even with gloves on.