Keela SF Mk IV Jacket

[@georgerobartes2008]

Nice kit . Got to hear of the name Keela after they won the contract for the Antarctic Expedition about 15 20 years ago . Kitted the whole family out with jackets and liners in multi colours for hiking . Can't go wrong .

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Absolutely. A very understated but great brand.

[@jpcrichton2280]

Epic bits of kit. Started with the DPM version and now have what I suppose is one of the earlier MTP/Multicam versions that I got back in 2016, 7 years on and it’s still as good as it was on day one. It’s never let me down regardless of the conditions which is something I can’t say about the issues Goretex.

[@PreparedPathfinder]

@Adventures_with_Sog (GTR) take note.

[@jondom_92]

Agreed with all point raised on the video. I found it’s a nice replacement from the issues smock for the following reasons: - It doesn’t get as heavy as an issued smock when wet. - You don’t need to pack a smock AND wet kit jacket, as this does both. - It does a decent job at retaining body heat, keeping you at a good temperature. - Packs away smaller than an issued smock. Worth while purchase for sure.

[@James-C24]

It packs smaller than an issued smock!!!! Thought it would be massive.

[@jondom_92]

@@James-C24 not at all. It will squash down nicely in a dry bag once you roll the air out

[@James-C24]

@jondom_92 brought one recently and have to agree it's a massive upgrade and has massively simplified packing my kit.

[@chrisrandall9522]

Nice review buddy. Best jacket ever, wet windy range days are a pleasure in this😎👍Velcroed the pocketlids on mine👍

[@Bobbybulsara179]

I’ve got one but as a reservist there’s probably only 1 or 2 weekends a year I’d use it. In 12 months I’ve took it with me a few times but unless it’s freezing and raining it’s too hot to wear. Or if you are DS it’s good to wear whenever, if you are doing anything strenuous a t shirt and pcs smock is fine. It cost £220 from Jayjays and I wish I’d put the money to good use and bought webbing. If you are in the regs or have to go to Brecon then it will be right up your street. For a reservist I wouldn’t bother.

[@Bikeadelic]

I'd love to see more in depth videos on specific items of kit. E.g. different types of cooker and why you might use one over another, or which sort of modern jacket you'd use in a given situation and why.

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Roger that, thanks for the suggestions.

[@CP-ix8vq]

I've had this jacket for 2+ years now, its great. I love how long it is as it gives that extra protection from the weather to your thighs as well as your backside. Agreed about the buttons, they're a bit mental but you get used to them. The large compass holder also doubles up really really well as a phone holder on a day to day basis. Keeps my Iphone 12 snug in there and out the elements. The sizing, again I agree, they come up big - I am similar size and I can wear my body armour and chuck this over the top and I have a 'Large' size jacket.

[@BlesamaSoul]

Someone told me that the buttons were made much bigger to allow for mittons being worn rather than gloves? (probably ex catering corps?)

[@Section20Ul]

Nice looking bit of kit. Def looks like it would keep out the nasty weather. If I had that sort of money it would make a nice bit of winter kit. Loved the Chinook fly over adding to the ambience 🚁

[@MikeWood]

Comprehensive review. One of the stand outs is that compass pocket. And the Map pocket. And the buttons. Hate velcro. Buttons on everything. :) Nice breakdown of the kit.

[@nellbrown770]

great reveiw there, i was at the northern shooting show last weekend and saw fortis there, ordered one of their smocks, made to order 8 weeks delivery 100 quid dearer, super bit of kit like the keela. :)

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Cheers. Yeah l looked at the Fortis smock but thought it was a bit overpriced.

[@Khilton2000]

I've had the Mk1 MTP for years along their civi Mountain Keela in blue, both awesome. You vid does need a bit more info on sizing, eg if you're a 180/112 in PCS what size would you go for. When I got my Mk1 , Osprey had just gone back and we were in ECBA which I wore underneath my smock so went to Keela XL . I'm now an aging out STAB-- so don't need to update., that said the Bounty is sitting in the bank....

[@journeyman7189]

Good review Tom Looks like an amazing but of kit. Seems definitely overbuilt and that main compass pouch is a very nice touch. Nate

[@calmolly1]

Great timing, I was looking at one of these. Would be awesome if they did a green

[@pawoutdoors9290]

Looks like a good piece. Is it breathable. The weather here is up and down. Great review.

[@Stoney_AKA_James]

Really nice jacket, excellent features

[@stewartthomson2089]

Does the extended button allow you to fit something oversized in the pocket and still get a closure? Makes me wonder how much you could manage to fit in the jacket. Could you fit something to sleep on, in and under? Along with water, cook system and a nice steak for a one nighter?

[@arlokootz3545]

Great vid- I have this in black and it is very good- would def echo the fact it doesn’t pact down great and is bulky, as you said it’s the trade off with all the features tho- it wasn’t something I factored in when I bought it 👍👍

[@irvsstella]

These smocks are designed for officers, hence two compass pouches, one to find their Harris, the other to find their way home.

[@BlesamaSoul]

Nice review, I have the Arktis mountain smock which is ok in a shower but not all day downpours. I had been thinking of the Keela jacket as an option instead as it has the features and it is waterproof. What is the Keela jacket like to tab/put some miles in with a modest pack over say 15 - 20 miles a day (I'm doing woods/hills and not military training/deployment) do they get a bit too warm or will they breath enough and be ok with a base layer? I was hoping to make do with one jacket for day to day use and walking, with just a warm layer to add when required/end of day? Or is this just a good technical raincoat to use in v wet storms? Thanks for taking the time, just wanted to be sure it fitted the role I had planned for it before ordering.

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Tabbing with it is generally fine unless it's warm, but generally in the UK if it's raining it's not warm hey? It breathes well. I have the Keela Prosport jacket in OG too, which is great for hill use. I used it on the East Highland Way video I did recently.

[@BlesamaSoul]

@@PreparedPathfinder many thanks that's what I was thinking, half the year in Herefordshire it's pouring down. Noted your recent video, I've been fly fishing around there and it's tough ground to cover if the weather comes in. Looking forward to your next trip 👍

[@PreparedPathfinder]

@@BlesamaSoul cheers, I just did a trip wild camping on Helvellyn, was a great couple of days.

[@neanderthaloutdoors9202]

Expensive gucci kit, the ol GoreTex underneath the Smock/jacket we found was the way to stay dry and warm, and it worked well, didn't cost us nowt either, issue kit.

[@PreparedPathfinder]

The issued waterproof jacket has nothing on this.

[@neanderthaloutdoors9202]

@@PreparedPathfinder I suppose that's what we pay for, extra surety it work's well.

[@davidlegrand6545]

Cracking review, no nonsense approach, "no whinging in trenches, gooks on the wire," raise a smile. Keep the humour! Good man Tom!

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Ha ha, cheers mate!

[@ObjectiveMedia]

You sound a bit racist

[@Adventures_with_Sog]

Nice but expensive. I have the British Army windproof smock that I bought issued for £35. I also have the British Army issue gore-tex jacket which again cost £35 and is great in summer. That's two jackets I can wear separately or together for waterproofness when it's colder weather for £70.

[@PreparedPathfinder]

I’ve been issued both for free. The waterproof jacket is nowhere near as good as this.

[@Adventures_with_Sog]

@@PreparedPathfinder We're not talking of your freebies thigh are we, we're talking in the context of value for money with Joe public who will be having to buy the rather expensive winter jacket. People will be buying one jacket for more than I payed for two and you definitely won't be able to use the Keela jacket in the warner months unless you want to lose stones in sweat. I don't know how you can say the Keela is better than the army issue MTP gore-tex jacket if we're taking waterproofness as it's certainly not anymore waterproof, I've looked at the info on the materials used in the Keela. A more cynical soul could easily be forgiven for thinking your review of the free jacket you were gifted was somewhat biased.

[@PreparedPathfinder]

@@Adventures_with_Sog not at all, it’s based on my experience, as l said in the video! My comment about the issue kit being free is to highlight the fact that l am aware of how it performs, l’ve used issue kit for over 30 years as a serving soldier. The army issue waterproof isn’t goretex, it’s a cheap piece of junk that fails in really bad weather. Anyone who has used it in bad conditions will tell you that. This jacket performs far better in bad conditions, and no that observation is nothing to do with free kit.

[@allenvbarrett]

I had dpm issue waterproof in the late 80s , replacing the poncho. I now have dpm and mtp versions of later jackets but they still need spraying with nikwax tx direct or you get wet. On the advice from this channel I am buying the keela sf either mk4 or 5. Great honest reviews from someone who knows his stuff. Thx.

[@Adventures_with_Sog]

@@allenvbarrett The older DPM issue waterproof jackets weren't the best but I've got to say my newer MTP waterproof jacket is brilliant. As for re-treating, even the most expensive gore-tex pro jackets need Nikwax or similar treatment after awhile and also the most expensive gore-tex pro jackets eventually start to fail somewhat. I've tried and owned many jackets over the years and as well as my MTP waterproof jacket I currently own a rather pricy waterproof (allegedly 🤔) Fjallraven jacket, a £400 Rab gore-tex pro jacket, a Paramo waterproof jacket, a Berghsus gore-tex jacket and a TNF gore-tex ski jacket. I still highly rate my £35 MTP British Army issue jacket 🤷‍♂️

[@kniter]

What do you think about these kind of smocks compared to more "slimline" jackets like the Keela Thor or arcteryx leaf? Part of me like how packable and lightweight those jackets are, but these kind of smocks seems to be bomb proof when it comes to reliability. They have the redundancy if something breaks, f.ex.

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Yeah same thoughts. Pros and cons to both. This is more bulky but has loads of pockets and is great in really bad weather. Also about a third of the price of an Arcteryx LEAF jacket.

[@Tak8835]

8:38 Had they sent a Chinook out to look for you mate?

[@DJTheMetalheadMercenary]

Nice brother, cheers!!!

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Cheers mate 👍

[@zooombaa]

Re sizing: how tall are you mr @Prepared Pathfinder ?

[@iLL-VAGUE]

Great channel mate keep it up

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Cheers 👍

[@davidsayer3325]

Great review 👍

[@Snowdonguy48]

Great review mate thanks ! 👍

[@chrisdavies73]

I'm after the Mk.5 but it's only available in camo and I don't want to be called a Walt😂

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Keela do lots of other great jackets in plain colours. I have the Prosport jacket in OG that worked well for my East Highland Way walk.

[@arlokootz3545]

They do it in black 👍

[@PreparedPathfinder]

@@arlokootz3545 roger, l mention that in the video.

[@jap9656]

Great review mate. Ive been looking at the munro jacket. Do you have or know of anyone that has used the munro? Cheers

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Yes, l have the Munro jacket, it’s a great winter waterproof. I used it on the East Highland Way.

[@jap9656]

@@PreparedPathfinder thanks mate. Does it hold up well in heavy rain? I need something for long hikes in the lakes and Wales

[@PreparedPathfinder]

@@jap9656 yep, very good protection.

[@jap9656]

@@PreparedPathfinder cheers mate. If you had to choose between the Munro and the Pinnacle which would you go for?

[@findermanimages]

They need to make this in orange! 😉

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Gopping!

[@vader-crusader1851]

For a person who is 5,7 what size would you say I should get

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Depends on your chest size l’d say.

[@lambrosstamos4494]

So, how does it differ to the Odin Parachutist Smock?

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Dunno, l don’t have one.

[@stevem7250]

Gd jackets if ur ever injured they aint spotting u tho. Not a solo jacket.

[@RedDevil5081]

Very informative video. Maybe if you stuff the pocket it would be easier to manipulate with buttons being that way. I'm thinking about getting one. 🍻😁👍🏻