Keela Pinnacle waterproof jacket | Tested and reviewed

Like a throwback to the era when hillwalking jackets were uncompromisingly bombproof, the Keela Pinnacle is a tough, burly waterproof jacket at a refreshingly cheap price-point.

In fact, it's the kind of jacket designed for an apocalyptic downpour when you’re halfway up a mountain.

For some it’ll feel too heavy and clunky, but for others the strong, muscular build will be reassuring.

I've used this jacket on wet and windy hikes in the fells of the Lake District.

I found it an adequately protective shell, keeping out the rain fine, but felt it was a little heavy and boxy, and it certainly didn’t feel like the most athletic or streamlined jacket.

Made from Keela’s in-house membrane known as Aquaflex Extreme, the Pinnacle has a 3-layer construction and, at just £194.95 ($217), is superbly-priced for a winter-ready hard shell.

In fact, I couldn’t find any cheaper jackets from a reputable brand with comparable stats and features.

Top-notch features include a helmet-compatible hood, underarm vents, adjustable waist, four pockets and Velcro cuffs.

But, ultimately, the stand-out feature is the price point. For price-conscious hikers who can’t justify blowing over £500/$500 on a top-of-the-range waterproof, the Keela Pinnacle is an affordable and impressive alternative.

Waterproofing and construction

Keela describes the Pinnacle jacket as a “tough, durable and technical 3-layer hard shell”, which has “all the features you need for on the mountain” and delivers “uncompromising severe weather protection”.

The brand also states that the jacket is designed for mountain professionals for “all-season” use.

The Keela Pinnacle is made from Keela’s in-house Aquaflex Extreme fabric.

The original Aquaflex version is described as a “moderately lightweight 3-layer waterproof fabric which is also breathable”, while the Aquaflex Extreme version “combines these properties with a more robust and durable finish”.

Aquaflex Extreme has a 20,000mm hydrostatic head rating and features a 3-layer construction.

This is the most durable construction technique, with the waterproof layer sandwiched between a face fabric and inner scrim, meaning the Pinnacle should provide longer-lasting performance than lighter jackets with a 2-layer or 2.5-layer design.

Having said this, I'm yet to determine whether a cheaper, proprietary membrane will offer the same long-term protection as more expensive, market-leading options, such as Gore-Tex Pro.

Breathability and ventilation

Keela’s Aquaflex Extreme technology has an official breathability rating of 17,000g/m²/24hr_._

This is pretty decent – not a premium score (which would be 20,000 g/m²/24hr), but it’s far from poor.

You also get under-arm pit vents, which can be opened when you’re feeling hot and sweaty, to help dump heat and aid ventilation.

During our test hikes, we found the Keela Pinnacle a little clammy and sweaty (but we tend to always overheat in the fells, no matter what we’re wearing), so we’d describe breathability as okay, but not incredible. After all, it’s still a thick, chunky, winter-ready waterproof jacket.

Weight and packability

The Keela Pinnacle weighs 637g in a men’s medium, according to our scales. This is on the heavier of the spectrum for a 3-layer, winter-ready shell.

That weight makes it 206g heavier than the Arc’teryx Beta AR (men’s small) and 174g heavier than the Mountain Equipment Lhotse (men’s small), for example.

But it’s not the heaviest jacket we’ve tested. The Pinnacle is actually 197g lighter than the Páramo Alta III.

In terms of packability, the Keela Pinnacle isn’t the smallest once packed away, but it still reduces to a relatively compact size – about 30x20cm if stuffed inside the hood.

Fit and comfort

The fit appears true to size, based on my experience. The cut is a little on the baggy side, with quite wide and roomy arms, and ample space for layering underneath.

Some hikers will like this approach, others may prefer something a little more athletic, figure-hugging and streamlined.

During my test hikes, I felt reasonably agile and nimble in this jacket, and freedom of movement was decent, but not first-rate.

I found the cut a tad on the heavy and boxy side, but all-round comfort was fine – particularly considering the affordable price-point.

Features: Hood, pockets and everything else

You get loads of features with this jacket, which is impressive considering the sub-£200 price tag.

The hood is fully-adjustable and helmet-compatible for a start. It also has a nice peaked visor and a soft, fleece-lined chin guard.

All of the zippers have good pull loops for easy opening and closing, while the zippers themselves are water-resistant.

The wrist cuffs can be tightened via chunky Velcro tabs, while the waist hem can be cinched-in via two drawcord toggles.

In terms of pocket orientation, you get two zippered handwarmer pockets and two external zipped chest pockets, but you don’t get any internal pockets.

Sustainability

The Keela website does not provide any details about recycled materials or the environmental credentials of this jacket’s manufacture, so it’s safe to assume it’s not the most sustainable of products.

Verdict

The Keela Pinnacle is a superbly-priced 3-layer jacket that uses Keela’s in-house Aquaflex Extreme technology – but it’s heavy, boxy and not the most premium.

For more heavy-duty options, see our list of the best waterproof jackets this year.

About the author

James Forrest is a prolific peak bagger and long-distance walker who’s one of the most high-profile outdoor writers in the UK.

He writes regular features and route guides for Trail and has been one of our main gear testers for the last few years. James is based on the edge of the Lake District so when he isn’t off on his latest crazy adventure or challenge, he’s walking in his local fells.

James reviews every type of outdoor kit for Trail and is a real authority on everything you need for wild camping and packing light for a multi-day walk.

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