With every new piece of gear comes that one moment when its promised features are officially put to the test for the first time. For me and my newly acquired Fjällräven Keb Eco-Shell Jacket — a durable and waterproof three-layer jacket — that moment came in the middle of a summer afternoon rain shower on a trail above Boulder, Colorado. An hour into the hike, on a particularly hot afternoon, the sky opened up and a curtain of heavy rain washed over me and my hiking partner for nearly 45 minutes as we made the trek back to the trailhead. The rain and sweltering heat combo had nothing on this jacket. Not only did the quick-drying recycled polyester material effectively repel the water, the zippered ventilation on both sides of the jacket allowed a cool breeze inside, keeping my body cool, free of sweat and completely dry.
Pros: One of the best features of the Keb Eco-Shell Jacket is the fit. As someone that measures in lower than most on the height chart, the length of this jacket is exactly how I like. Not too short, not too long, but just right. Velcro adjustments on the sleeve cuffs and a drawstring cord at the hem help make this jacket a versatile piece for different body types and sizes, and the stretchy snug fit still comfortably allows for extra layers underneath. The recycled polyester material is eco-friendly and lightweight, but still extremely durable. This jacket has been tossed in and out of different backpacks, cars, and on the sides of muddy trails multiple times, and it still looks impeccable. And the Keb Eco-Shell lives up to its promise in the windproof and waterproof department. Sporting this jacket in the middle of a rainstorm actually made me want to stay out and enjoy the elements a little longer.
Cons: This jacket is the bee’s knees, seriously. But even with the Keb Eco-Shell’s excellent design and beautiful array of color options, I just can’t overlook like the lack of pockets for my hands. The jacket does feature two zippered pockets on the chest for keys and cell phones and such, but that doesn’t help me much when I’m awkwardly trying to figure out what to do with my hands when a fellow hiker stops to strike up a conversation…
Where We Took It: On a multi-day backpacking trip along the Colorado Trail and along the trails of Boulder, Colorado.
