Swedish brand Fjallraven makes outdoor gear with a focus on classic durability. The Keb jacket fits into this mould nicely and also boasts some admirable eco-minded thinking in its design and production process. If you want a year-round shell for outdoor adventures worldwide then you're the target customer.
The Keb extends to a good length, comfortably reaching the top of the thighs, at which point it can be securely cinched with two drawcord adjusters. The wrists are sizeable when opened and tightly bound by hook and loop patches when closed - which is handy when using winter gloves. The hood, meanwhile, is a very solid affair with a sizeable semi-circular wired peak and drawcord adjustment at both the neck and rear. Movement is nice and free even when it's fully done-up and it gives good weather protection below the nose and above the eyes. The fit is quite spacious all round and there's plenty of room for layering here.
Storage-wise you've got two extremely large Napoleon pockets, both fitted with stretch pouches within, while an inner zip stretch pouch provides a third option, and an upper arm zip pocket a fourth (great for ski lift passes). There are side access zips for venting and to reach your inner layers as well. We found these easy to use as they're perfectly placed to use one-handed (unlike those on many competing jackets). The main zip can be opened from both ends and is a solid and chunky affair with an inner storm flap and a handy popper at the bottom in case it begins to undo under stress.
Fjallraven's Eco Shell fabric carries a truly enormous 30,000mm hydrostatic head rating - which some may consider overkill. However, the intent was to make a jacket for the most demanding of weather conditions and our testing revealed no evidence to the contrary. The stretch nature of the fabric gives a nice supple feeling when in use, and it's worth noting as well that its production is not only free of hazardous fluorocarbons (unlike most outdoor membranes) but also partly uses recycled polyesters too.
In conclusion: it's hard to get away from that price, but the Keb excels in every other field. It's comfy, nicely styled, quiet in use, highly weather proof and eco-friendly. A highly desirable hard shell jacket.
