Yes, on first impressions it's giving horse girl, but bear with me. Because the Keela Skye Pro Fleece delivers a blend of comfort, warmth and practicality at a very reasonable price, it makes a valuable addition to your outdoor wardrobe. (And other colours besides Barbour-jacket-and-trust fund green are available.)
In all seriousness, with its durable, mid-weight fabric and thoughtful features, this fleece is built for performance across changing conditions.
Keela’s focus on quality materials and functional design makes the Skye Pro a reliable and versatile fleece jacket, offering excellent value for anyone seeking an affordable, long-lasting outdoor layer. Let's get into some details.
Pros
- Very soft
- Good breathability and moisture wicking properties
- Excellent value
- Great for layering
- Size inclusive
Cons
- Heavier than other fleeces
- Not as technical as other fleeces
| RRP: | £49.95 / $56 |
| Fabric: | 100% Polyester |
| Sizes: | 6-22 |
| Weight: | 413g (14oz) |
Fabric
The Women’s Skye Pro Fleece from Keela is made with Zetland 200 fabric that’s gorgeously soft, while being moisture wicking, too.
Designed for mid-weight insulation, the fabric strikes a good balance between warmth and breathability, making it versatile enough for both layering and standalone use.
Its texture feels lovely against the skin but robust enough to handle outdoor conditions without pilling or stretching – I've had it on test for a few weeks now and it still looks good as new.
It stands up to wind pretty well, but if you're looking for something that's very technical for doing big stints uphill, or that packs down into nothing for a night away fast-packing, then you might be better off with something with a more technical fabric such as Patagonia's R1.
Overall, however, I really like the fabric used here, as it offers a good balance for multiple outdoor functions.
Fit
Designed with a practical yet flattering fit, the Skye Pro Fleece contours comfortably around the body without feeling restrictive.
It has a slightly relaxed cut that works well over a base layer, while still fitting smoothly under a waterproof shell if conditions turn. It does run slightly on the larger size – as a 5'2" woman with a 27 inch waist, it fits me very well, but it's roomy for a UK 8, as I'm usually more on the side of a 10.
Another plus for Keela is its inclusive range of sizing, going from a 6 to a 22. This is a rare find for outdoor brands these days, which sometimes only go up to 16.
The design is fitted with some stretch, ensuring full range of motion, whether climbing, hiking or walking the dog around the local park.
The hemline sits nicely without riding up, making it ideal for extended wear in varied conditions, and you can tighten the bottom hem in too if needs be. I've also found the sleeves to be more or less the perfect length, too, which is typically rare in outdoor fleeces for someone my height.
Weight
Weight-wise, this fleece sits in a comfortable middle ground at 413g (14.6 oz) on my kitchen scales, making it light enough to pack without adding too much heft, but substantial enough to provide plenty of warmth and withstand wear.
It rolls up to roughly the size of a sleeping mat, so can pack down to a reasonable size for easy transportation. It’s not the kind of fleece you’d grab for multi-day trips where every gram counts, but it's great for campsite overnights, day trips and general larking about.
Features
Keela has included a number of great features in the Skye Pro Fleece. The zipped hand-warmer pockets provide ample storage for essentials (such as hiking gloves or snacks) and are strategically placed to be accessible even with a backpack or harness.
The inner pockets also provide a safer space for things that should be kept warm in winter, such as your phone. I particularly like the leather zip pull details, which lend a vintage outdoor look to the fleece overall.
Thumb loops at the cuffs add extra warmth and convenience, preventing the sleeves from bunching up under additional layers and keeping the wrists covered when temperatures drop. The full-length zip adds versatility, allowing for quick ventilation during intense activities or easy on-and-off transitions.
The neck baffle also features a drawstring, for those extra cold days when you don't want any of your hard-won heat to escape.
Sustainability
This is where the fleece overall falls down slightly in comparison to other brands, as there's no information on Keela's website as to whether the 100% polyester is virgin or made from recycled materials.
We also don't know about the origin of the zips or elastics, and Keela doesn't declare any origins of the leather zip pull, either.
However, though they may not highlight specific sustainability certifications with the Skye Pro Fleece, the brand emphasises durability, aiming for a long-lasting product that reduces the need for frequent replacements.
Value & verdict
Considering its versatile design, functional features and durable construction, the Skye Pro Fleece offers excellent value for money.
Positioned at a mid-range price point of £49 (but available for less elsewhere), it provides similar performance and warmth to more expensive technical fleeces but with a stronger emphasis on durability and comfort.
For anyone who spends a significant amount of time outdoors and needs a reliable fleece for different conditions, the Skye Pro is a sound investment that combines quality and practical design without, well, fleecing you.
Our overall verdict? A solid 4/5 from Keela: if you're looking for a does-it-all option that won't leave you skint, then the Skye Pro is the way to go.
How we tested
I've been testing the best women's hiking fleeces for a number of weeks over autumn 2024, putting them through their paces over hills and during overnight camps and bothy trips in Scotland. To find out more about our testing process, click here.
About the author
Fliss Freeborn is a writer for LFTO and a sucker for all things cosy. She lives in Scotland with her partner and her imaginary pet cat, Chutney.