The Talus Men’s Jacket is an updated version of an already great and versatile lightweight compressible jacket from Keela Outdoors, writes Mike Gormley.
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I first reviewed one of Keela’s Talus Jackets back in early 2020 and it is still on my coat rack and in frequent use. For the last couple of years our Dartmoor Ten Tors training group has adopted the Talus, in the Fire colour as shown here as we need to show up, and the Scree Smock as our ‘team wear uniform’ for the adult members of our group. Three other colours are available.
The Talus is one of those easy to wear and universal jackets. Cosy but not too hot or bulky and able to withstand much more rain than one would expect from a jacket not considered to be waterproof. My colleagues on the group have often commented on this when caught out a bit as the rain sets in, and I too have proved this ability on numerous occasions. This element of the Talus is one of the recent upgrades, in that DWR (Durable Water Repellent) treatment has been enhanced over the previous version. This further improves the Flylite Ultra fabric which is already very capable at keeping the wind out and allowing you excellent breathability.
Primaloft insulation, one of my favourites, is used to give this outer layer some warmth and it is the 60 gsm Gold version that used in the Talus. This insulation also has very good water repellence in its own right, so together you are well set up to keep the wet out as well as staying cosy and warm. The Talus can easily be rolled up and packed into its own hood making it very convenient to keep tidy or tuck into your pack when not being worn; Keela also offer a stuff sack as an option.
The Talus has many good features. It has a fitted hood, which is a good one with the expected full adjustments. The handy chest pocket has also been subject to some design upgrades and is just right to take a mobile phone. The zip on this, and all others, has a useful and practical pull tag so is easy to operate with cold or gloved hands. Oher pockets are one inner spacious ‘wallet’ pocket and two outer hand-warmers; I say this as they are fleece-lined, general cargo pockets.
A visual and practical feature of the Talus is the stretch fleece panel that runs from the elbow to armpit and downwards on the side hems of the jacket, which adds a welcome elasticity to the garment for better comfort and ease of movement when active but does not detract from the general features. The sleeves are of an articulated pre-formed design so sit well and work with, not against, the wearer. The front zip has a storm flap to keep that chill wind out and this extends to the top, forming a zip ‘garage’ which is fleece-lined to offer protection to your chin when fully zipped up.
All in all, this is one of those garments you will no doubt use more than you might expect. A very useful top layer for days out on the hills, a trip to town or down the pub and it also works very well as a mid-layer when conditions take a turn for the worse.
[images © Jean or Mike Gormley]
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