The Keela Kintyre

Price: £74.95
Colour: red
Weight: 782g
Material: shell, 100 per cent nylon; lining, 100 per cent nylon; mesh lining, 100 per cent polyester
Waterproofing: hydrophilic coating
Country of manufacture: not stated
Recommended wash: 40C in pure soap

The Kintyre jacket is included in Keela’s trek and country range and its styling is firmly on the traditional side.

It’s a fairly thick jacket and has some technical detailing but is principally aimed at the low-level walker who might undertake an odd foray on to higher ground.

The Rainlife 5000 material kept out most of the rain but in heavy, wind-driven showers it was less impressive. Things got fairly moist inside when working hard, too. Although Keela says the hydrophilic-coated texturised outer shell delivers improved breathability, we found its ability to shift moisture when we were undertaking more strenuous routes was limited.

The outer fabric is quite thick and resisted abrasion well. Part of the lining is nylon and part is polyester mesh. There are two large waist pockets, with protective flaps and a zip. These are lined with a fleecy material which helps to keep hands warm. There is also single outer chest pocket, with nylon lining, on the right side. A matching stormflap on the left side is actually a ‘dummy’ one as there is no outer opening. Instead, a map-sized chest pocket is accessed from an inside zip.

All this lining makes for a fairly heavy jacket that struggles to attain breathability on all but a leisurely low-level walk.

The main zip has both a rain gutter and storm flap – in line with much of the belt-and-braces approach to the Kintyre jacket’s design. Press-studs keep the storm flap in place.

A drawcord enables the waist to be cinched – useful as the jacket is quite generously cut. The hem also has a drawcord, and the sleeves have a combination of hook-and-loop and elasticated cuffs to keep out water and wind.

The roll-away hood is a disappointment. It has no volume adjuster – only two side adjustment drawcords and spring cord-locks. It’s also a bit of an odd shape, which means it’s not easy to get a good seal round the face in windy conditions.

A large flap with two press-studs is integral with the hood and this stops it blowing down in wind, but the flap covers both the mouth and nostrils, which was annoying when working hard uphill and needing to breathe hard. The hood didn’t turn with the head. It does have a wired peak which can be shaped a little to help keep driving rain out of the eyes.

There is no chinguard, so the zip puller can be felt against the mouth when the jacket is in use zipped all the way up.

The jacket has an extra inner zip to allow a Keela fleece to be incorporated into it. There are also press-stud loops in the sleeves and neck to accommodate this.

The Kintyre has no pit-zips or other vents.

A Keela fleece can also be zipped into the jacket

Where the jacket does undoubtedly score is its competitive price. It’s unfair to expect a jacket at this price to perform to the standards of much more expensive technical clothing. Keela has a good reputation for offering value at a given price, and the Kintyre follows this model.

The Kintyre is ideal for walkers who are happy to stick to routes where they are not going to encounter the worst mountain weather. It’s great too for pottering round town and would suit someone who wants a waterproof that functions in both those respects.

It has enough features to cope with low-level UK walking and feels sturdy and abrasion resistant.

The Kintyre is traditional in looks. It’s quite a long jacket and isn’t emblazoned with numerous logos. There is just a small Keela label on one side seam, and a subtle logo embroidered on the collar.

If your excursions are restricted to countryside strolls and urban trips, the Kintyre offers reasonable all-round performance. We wouldn’t recommend it for mountain use.

Waterproofness 14/30
Breathability 16/30
Packability 2/5
Features 3/5
Quality 6/10
Value for money 15/20
Total score: 56/100