The name Prosport probably evokes an image of an uber technical shell jacket that costs many hundreds of pounds, but this waterproof jacket from Keela is much gentler than that. Yes, it’s aimed at active outdoor users but it’s the sort of jacket that does a grand job of pretty much anything you throw at it, including casual day-to-day wear.
It comes in at a very competitive price for what it offers, waterproofing and a decent barrier from the wind. The mesh lining has a slightly reflective finish to it that is presumably designed to reflect body heat. Despite having no insulation, the Prosport is warmer than most shell jackets, in fact it’s actually usefully warm.
The zips mostly have storm flaps, rather than waterproof coatings, this is a bit old school but it works and we think it adds to the appeal as a daily wear jacket, purely from an aesthetic perspective.
We found the Prosport fairly breathable on the move and the huge underarm vents certainly help when it’s hacking it down but warm outside. It isn’t up there with the really breathable 3-layer shell jackets but offers enough to be considered for regular walking duties.
The hood has a wired peak and is 3-way adjustable for a perfect fit. The fleece backed chin comes up high on the face as well, so it keeps the weather at bay and is also comfortable in use. It’s intriguing that Keela have included a method for pinning the hood back when not in use, we think a further nod to casual use.
You get two big handwarmer pockets on the outside of the jacket, they’re covered with stormflaps and an annoying bit of Velcro. This is a practical addition as it holds the storm flap down and stops water seeping into the pocket, but it makes them a faff to get into. There’s an additional chest pocket that’s about the right size for a phone and has a waterproof coating rather than storm flap to keep your important electronics perfectly dry.
The outer fabric is lovely and soft, and the 4-way stretch makes for a very comfortable wearing experience overall. With a relaxed fit, this won’t win any Alpine fashion contests but for practical layering with freedom of movement and everyday wear it’s an ideal jacket.
