Versatile Kit Part 2: Keela Outdoors’ Scree Packaway Smock
I’m not going to mince my words here; this is a genuinely superb bit of kit. Keela describes it as, “lightweight, versatile and packable, this over-the-head design provides warmth as a mid layer or standalone using Primaloft Gold.”
Up until now, my all time favourite bit of Keela kit has been their Solo jacket and in many ways the Scree is like it’s smaller sibling. Both use Primaloft gold for insulation and have an exterior of Flylite Ultra fabric with durable cordura. Both are available in a range of colours and I opted for Fire, a bright orange for the Scree.
The Scree is much more versatile than the Solo which is more geared to winter warmth and is a serious bit of insulation. Wheras the Solo uses 133 GSM Primaloft insulation, the Scree is filled with 60 GSm Primaloft Gold. So, top standard insulation but a lighter weight. The Solo weighs in at 680g but the Scree is only 520g.
Over the head smocks are the Marmite of the outdoor gear world. You either love or loathe them. I’ve always been a big fan. To my mind there are a lot of advantages which add to the smock’s versatility;
1. Lighter weight with no full length zip, poppers,studs etc.
2. Less to go wrong. If a zip breaks on a jacket then you have real problems but the Scree only has a ¼ length zip so even if it fails then you are still cosy and protected from the elements.
3 Warmer. With no full length zip and associated cold spots, smocks should always be warmer.
4. Smocks often have a huge Kangaroo like pouch/pocket and, for me, this is a huge plus point. Phone, map, compass or any other accessories like hat and gloves can be securely stowed yet still be readily accessible. For photography, it really is a game changer and a great place to store cleaning cloths and filters so as to be ready for use.
The pouch pocket on the front may seem a minor point but I think it’s a game changer.
The Scree is a neat, streamlined design. It’s simple and just works. It keeps you snugly warm without lots of unnecessary bells and whistles which add to the bulk, weight and cost. It’s really quick to put on yet gives instant, toasty warmth. The quarter length zip and hem drawcord allow things to be snugged right up or eased off to allow for ventilation.
There are two hand warmer pockets with zips and the cuffs are snugly elasticated. It’s a minimalist design but one that really works. The Kangeroo pouch doubles as a pouch for the Scree. Inside the pouch is a webbing strip with a D ring. You can use this to attach car keys etc. The Scree can be stuffed into the Kangeroo pouch and the D ring used to secure it to a climbing harness so it can be taken on a route etc.
Why is the Scree so versatile?
1. It’s lightish weight means it can be taken anywhere. Over the summer it just sits in my pack as an extra warm layer yet it would be warm enough if there was an emergency and an injured person needed extra protection. Light and compact, it’s a great emergency tool and a really warm layer.
2. It’s weather resistant and the exterior will shed drizzle and light rain so it can be worn on it’s own on cooler or even damp days. Being synthetic, the Primaloft Gold retains it’s insulative value even if it gets wet. This summer there have been days when the Scree has just stayed in my pack but it’s been reassuring to know it’s there. However, there have been a lot of days when it’s been cooler and an insulating layer has been necessary. Often the cool conditions have morphed into drizzle and light rain and the Scree has shrugged this off. It’s nice not to have to bother getting a hardshell out of my pack unless the rain is heavy.
3. It has enough insulation to keep you warm but not too much for summer use. I can see this being used all year round with additional warm layers underneath and a hardshell on top.
4. No hood. For not too cold weather use, the absence of a hood is a plus point. It’s nice to have a stand alone insulating layer with no hood. In summer, I often wear a light hooded base layer or light fleece and too many hoods can be a real nuisance especially if the weather gets really bad and you add on a hardshell with a hood. Much of my guiding work is done wearing a climbing helmet and unless it was bitterly cold I don’t want an insulated hood which will just get in the way.
Keela nailed it with the Scree. They said it was light weight, versatile and packable and my experience verifies this. As always, Keela kit is great value for money, well designed, tough and durable. Looking to the future, it’d be great if Keela produced a smock version of the Solo but also a hooded version of the Scree for winter use.
https://keelaoutdoors.com/product/scree-smock/
