• Overall Rating

  : 4 out of 5

There is no need to size up or down with the regular-fit Keela Skye Pro Fleece. While I am used to sizing up, which usually leaves me stranded in a shapeless, baggy cut, this piece offers a genuinely flattering alternative. It streamlines the silhouette without restriction, leaving room to layer over a technical base without bunching across the hips.

Adjustable drawcords and elasticated cuffs allow on-the-fly tweaks to keep the cold out. Mobility is excellent; the tailored construction ensures the hem remains firmly anchored during high, overhead reaches. The fabric’s dense, velvety nap traps dead air for impressive warmth. It feels like absolute luxury against the skin, and the tight weave blocks gusts well, though a sharp cross-breeze can penetrate the side panels. This layer is not designed for higher paced activity, but for moderate hiking in 5°C, it is spot on.

The inevitable trade-off here is packability. Rolled up, it will fill most available space in a compact daypack, won’t fit into an external rucksack side pocket, and is too substantial to comfortably tie around your waist. It functions perfectly as a standalone outer jacket on crisp mornings or as a warm mid layer beneath a heavy rain shell. While it is too early to pass final judgment on durability, it is holding together beautifully after being roughly treated. For bang-for-your-buck warmth, this fleece delivers exceptional value and is built to go the distance rather than surviving a single season. It can also zip directly into the Keela Kintyre Jacket as an interchangeable lining.

How Gemma tested

Testing took place across East Anglia and Kent whilst hiking or paddling the riverbanks, nature reserves, and woodland trails. Gemma is 5’10” with a muscular, UK size 16 frame, and feels the cold. Weights are from her scales. This review was first published in the September issue of The Great Outdoors. To compare it with other, see our guide to the best midlayers and fleece jackets for hiking.