The philosophy of the Keb is very different. Rather than taking on nature, Fjallraven have designed the Keb to allow you to live and connect with nature. Summits aren’t the sole objective, reconnecting with the landscape and experiencing it, rather than testing physical endurance limits are the order of play.

The most striking feature of the Keb Jacket is the hood. It’s a beast! Seriously, have you seen the size of it?! Fjallraven’s back garden are the Swedish arctic plateaus and this large hood is designed to protect the wearer against howling winds and spindrift. It reminds me of Scott of the Antarctic, and when you put it up, you immediately feel protected and it all makes sense. The amount of times I have had to twist a hardshell hood around my face when rain has turned horizontal in a meager attempt to shelter and preserve my eye sight…

Well, you simply don’t suffer from this problem with the Keb. Furthermore, if the wind and elements aren’t looking to permanently alter your face, it can be folded back, revealing a hood of similar proportions and dimensions to widely available alternatives.

But what are my thoughts on this hood? I really like it and it’s a feature that would really come into its own in the winter months when facing adverse conditions. You may feel like a beacon the first time you wear it, but as soon as you feel the protection it can offer, the logic is obvious. And as you would expect its adjustable from the rear. Well done Fjallraven.

G1000 is Fjallraven’s own material, which they create many of their range from. The G1000 Eco constructed from recycled polyester and organic cotton provides water and wind resistance, along with durability. The material is located in the exposed areas of the shoulders, hood, front panel and drop tail. Anywhere subject to wear and tear. Elsewhere, a four way stretch fabric has been added for increased maneuverability and breathability.

The fit is pretty snug. I ordered a small, given my small stature, but I wouldn’t want to layer up too heavy underneath it. I’m often somewhere between a small and medium and in this case I may benefit from sizing up, however arm and body length would decide this. It’s not athletic, but as we should all be aware, rarely are we the mannequin it was designed on. The hood is unrestrictive and you can immediately feel the benefit of the four way stretch areas. If the weather was battering with cool winds, you may wish to look at a full membrane jacket or clever layering as the stretch fabric breaths well, letting the cold air in.

However, if you are getting hot, the Keb jacket has great ventilation, thanks to two large side vents.

Two large chest map pockets provide ample storage for all hill essentials, whilst the absence of waist pockets encourages the use of a backpack or harness. A small pocket on the left arm can house small essentials, though I seldom find a real world application with what I carry.

So the Keb is feature packed, however it is the details which show the thought that has gone into the design for mountain use. The designer has added additional fabric under the arm to aid movement and seams on the jacket have been moved so not to rub in key areas when wearing a pack. The hood contains a brass wire, allowing you to manipulate it to your desired configuration and the poppers are heavy duty. You know when you snap them shut, they aren’t coming undone by accident.

It’s the small details which show the difference between a designer that builds to a brief and one who understands the real world application of the end product. A pat on the back for the person or team behind the Keb.

Weather protection is aided by a storm flap covering the main zip, which is two way, which is especially useful when sat around basecamp.

Drawstring hems and Velcro cuffs help keep the weather out and lock you in.

So did I summit mountains or set PB’s in Fjallraven’s Keb Jacket. No. Instead I enjoyed taking life at a slower pace and discovering my surroundings, rather than passing them in a blur. The Keb jacket encourages a slower pace of life, which is cathartic and has its place in the market. In a world which encourages us to be all we can and push our limits, I found myself wanting to learn about the land, flora, fauna and our relationship with it, rather than my aerobic system.

The Keb is perfect for those who want to spend time living in the outdoors rather than conquering it. Find a perch, take a seat and endulge.

Price £235 – Further information at http://www.fjallraven.co.uk/keb-jacket