If the Keela Stratus is good enough for Mountain Rescue Teams it is definitely good enough for me, writes Mike Gormley.
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I have been looking to try the Stratus from Keela for some while now in the hope it can take the place of my trusted Cumulus Pro, which I have owned for many years and has served me very well.
Personally, I prefer the Stratus to the Munro as it is a lighter and more flexible jacket which has much more user-friendly pockets than its full-on mountain jacket cousin. That said, it’s a case of horses for courses for sure.
The Stratus is by no means an ‘inferior’ jacket for the hills. Quite the opposite in reality. Keela tell us this model has been evolved for the folks involved with Mountain Rescue Teams and for sure they need all the help they can get when out in all weathers and conditions. I can’t say I have given my Stratus that level of testing, but I have certainly been out in some pretty testing weather this winter and it has worked very well indeed.
The Stratus is tailored to what Keela describe as an ‘Explorer Fit’ so is sized a bit on the generous side to give added comfort, ease of movement and, importantly, allow for additional layers underneath when it gets cold. I even wear my lightweight Talus Jacket as a mid-layer with the Stratus as it works for me and I am often wearing a Talus, but when the weather gets too bad the Stratus is required to keep the real rain out. The Stratus jacket uses the Keela SDP or System Dual Protection waterproofing concept, which I find works extremely well; I am not alone here as it carries the Queens Award for Enterprise and Innovation.
¤ The lower left arm has a small easy access pocket ~ note the light-reflective trimming
¤ There are good side pockets to stow items as well as keep hands protected
[©JG]
The detail design of the Stratus includes many features, some quite small, but nevertheless they are very handy and effective. For example the storm flap covered waterproof zips have easy to operate loop pull tags. Also inside the right pocket there is a quick release safety attachment loop whereas the other chest pocket has a heavier duty attachment point for the likes of a radio.
My version is Rescue Red and there now three other colours ~ Azure Blue, Shale and Brick ~ to choose from, in seven sizes from XS to 3XL.
[images © Jean or Mike Gormley, unless noted]
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