Technical Info

Fabric Technology

PRIMALOFT

PrimaLoft is incredibly soft, lightweight and breathable with excellent water repellency so you remain dry, warm and comfortable, even under the most extreme conditions.

Warm: ounce for ounce as warm as down. Primaloft microfibres are similar in size and shape to down, resulting in nearly equal insulating performance when dry and even better when wet. Because its individual fibres are water repellent, Primaloft retains much of its ability to keep you warm, even when moisture has soaked through.
Compressible: easy to pack. Similar to the structure of down with incredible softness, Primaloft is highly compressible and easy to stuff. Its resilient fibres are quick to regain their loft to provide uncompromising insulation.
Soft: comfortable and supple. Primaloft insulation is soft and supple like down, making it an excellent choice for active outerwear. It allows unrestricted movement and its light weight makes it comfortable for extended wear.

AIRXSTREAM

AirXtream is a specially developed 3-layer material concept. The outer consists of a pique weave with a durable water resistant treatment. This is laminated onto a waterproof hydrophilic membrane and then laminated again to the inner liner, which has rapid moisture wicking properties. The fabric has a percentage of stretch for added comfort and is used in our soft shell Zenith range.

AIRXSTREAM ADVANCED

A combination of materials brought together in one performance system. The outer woven stretch component is treated with a highly durable water repellent finish and then bonded to a hydrophilic membrane. The final component is made up of the lining, which absorbs moisture and reduces condensation. AirXstream Advanced is used in our Aleutian Range of soft shell clothing.

BLIZZARD

3-Layer Laminate

Blizzard fabric comes in light and medium weight and uses various outer shells primarily polyamide or polyesters, which are laminated to hydrophilic membranes. We choose hydrophilic over microporous as these tend to block with dirt thus reducing breathability. Hydrophilic is a water loving membrane, which uses a capillary action rather than pores to move moisture vapour. An inner mesh protects the membrane.

SYSTEM DUAL PROTECTION

Keela’s System Dual Protection (SDP) offers unrivalled protection when it comes to waterproofing and breathability in any conditions.

WHY? – SDP is a unique double layer fabric system with an “Air Gap”. The tough/durable outer layer ensures it can handle wear and tear while a lightweight inner layer offers comfort and creates the 'Air-Gap' to build up warmth. SDP is 100% waterproof, breathable, warm and reduces inner condensation to keep the wearer protected.

SDP is used in tough and extreme conditions by Mountain Rescue Teams, Police Forces and Military users all around the World and is trusted by its users.

Scientific research shows that ALL single layer waterproof and breathable fabrics stop working after one hour of use in wet and cold conditions. The real weather when waterproofs are required to work.

The current industry testing standards for breathable waterproof fabrics is unrealistic. The standard emulates a typical day in the Sahara Desert rather than the wet conditions that outdoor enthusiasts can be caught up in.

THE FACTS – THE CONSTRUCTION

An outer fabric, which is coated or laminated with a breathable membrane.
An inner mesh lining, which has a high wicking hydrophilic membrane laminated to it.
The two layers of fabric increase durability and create an “Air Gap”.
The “Air-Gap” provides a natural thermal barrier, protecting against heat loss.
The “Air-Gap” reduces the need for further layers underneath.
The hydrophilic (water loving) membranes rapidly transport moisture (sweat and condensation) away from the body, keeping you dry and comfortable, even in the rain.
These moisture removing hydrophilic membranes reduce condensation next to the body.
SDP helps to regulate the body’s temperature, minimizing shivering when inactive.

THE SCIENCE

Weather conditions affect the breathability of ALL fabrics and garments. During heavy rain and low temperatures (around 0C to 10C) breathable, waterproof garments stop breathing and experience the ‘occurrence of dew point’ or ‘cold-bridging’. This results in a build up of condensation. A warm body at 37C will struggle to cope with these conditions and the wearer becomes uncomfortable if the moisture and condensation is not moved away from the body.

SDP uses two layers of fabrics with hydrophilic membranes and an “Air Gap” in between, to reduce the build up of condensation. The operating principle can be compared to double-glazing systems used for windows, which stops warm air coming into direct contact with cold air. The “Air-Gap” also acts as an insulator to keep in body warmth. The best insulator is air!

The two layers of SDP then ensure the garment remains breathable in cold, wet conditions by a “mechanical” means. The outer layer is a waterproof, breathable fabric with a hydrophilic laminated membrane, so does the work to protect from outside conditions. The inner layer is a revolutionary high wicking liner, laminated onto a hydrophilic film. This inner layer acts like a sponge, absorbing any moisture or water vapour inside the jacket and transporting it away from the body. This acts like a one-way valve taking moisture and condensation away from the body through the lining and into the “Air Gap”; the waterproof laminate ensures the moisture cannot wick back through to the body. It therefore passes through into the “Air Gap” and escapes either through the breathable outer layer at its own rate or by force mechanical ventilation of the “Air Gap” by movement of the wearer.

CONCLUSION

Single layer breathable fabric garments do not work in cold and wet conditions. Only the use of a dual layer system of garment construction with an “Air Gap” and mechanical ventilation works in these conditions! Research by the University of Leeds shows that microporous and bicomponent fabrics decrease in breathability as the ambient temperature decreases. However, hydrophilic fabrics, as used in System Dual Protection, still continue to breathe consistently as the temperature drops.

INNOVATION

Innovation fabric is designed for the highest hills and tallest mountains. Developed to be the last word in high end waterproof/breathable performance fabric, the Innovation range is most often found in combination with our System Dual Protection technology due to its ideal compatibility and usability.

INNOVATION 5 - A texturised nylon laminate coated with hydrophilic PU fabric; highly breathable and wickable with excellent waterproofing, Innovation 5 is used in our System Dual Protection range.
INNOVATION 7 - Soft microfibre with peached outer and hydrophilic laminate. Innovation 7 offers quiet, high end performance. Often used in conjunction with ADS liner.
INNOVATION LITE - A high tenacity ripstop material, which provides protection against wind and rain. Innovation Lite is used in our System Dual Protection 'Extreme' range.
INNOVATION XL - The specially constructed fibre arrangement rapidly transports moisture away from the body in both liquid and vapour form and is laminated to a hydrophilic film. Innovation XL forms an integral part of our 'Waterproof Fleece' range.

RAINLIFE

RAINLIFE 2000 - Rainlife 2000 is used throughout our lightweight range of rainwear. The fabric has the same performance levels as Rainlife 5000 but uses a lightweight outer nylon with a hydrophilic coating, which makes it the ideal outer skin for Multi-Activity use.
RAINLIFE 5000 - RAINLIFE 5000 uses a texturised outer with a waterproof hydrophilic coating. This delivers improved breathability and waterproofing for fantastic all round outdoor performance.

ADS ACTIVEWEAR

Keela's Active Dispersal System (ADS) is the ultimate moisture management system. Its specially structured star yarn rapidly removes moisture away from the body, dispersing it over a large area for fast evaporation into the outside atmosphere, keeping you drier for longer. The moisture management is inherent in the manufactured construction and cannot be washed out, ensuring it lasts the lifetime of the garment. ADS also protects from the sun's harmful rays and has a UV protection level of +40. ADS works in harmony with your body, providing maximum comfort during periods of high activity outdoor sports. Keela’s ADS garments are perfect for use worn individually in warm weather or as a base layer in conjunction with a layering system in colder environments.

CADS ACTIVEWEAR (Carbonised Active Dispersal System)

Years of research and development into base layer fabrics has helped us to achieve Carbonised Active Dispersal System (CADS) – the ultimate wickable fabric base layer. The specially constructed yarn network rapidly draws moisture away from the body and disperses it over a large area for fast evaporation into the surrounding atmosphere. Its super-fast wicking and high breathability rate works with the human body to keep the wearer dry and comfortable 100% of the time. Being Anti-Microbial enables it to eliminate odours being emitted from the wearer while offering a higher standard of hygiene. Perfect for use on its own in warm weather or as part of a layering system in colder climates, CADS is the next step in performance fabrics next to the skin.

ZETLAND (Zetland Fleece Fabric Technology)

Our range of Zetland fabrics is the ideal fleece fabric for the outdoor world. Soft touch, hard wearing, this special 100% polyester fabric is tightly knitted during manufacture to provide excellent thermal properties and all round insulation. Non-pil and easy-care, Zetland is ideal for a wide variety of outdoor sports and activities.

Zetland 100 - Lightweight performance fleece fabric; 100% polyester.
Zetland 200 - This 200 weight fleece provides excellent warmth to weight ratio.
Zetland 300 - A heavy-weight fleece fabric with water repellent finish.

STRETCH-TEC

STRETCH-TEC - Designed specifically for the requirements of travel use, Stretch-tec, as the name suggests, has Lycra yarns incorporated into the fabric to provide superior stretch and comfort. To fit the demands of travel use, the fabric is easy care and needs little ironing. Its ease of movement and fast drying properties make it ideal for all year round trekking. The tightness of the weave construction also provides protection against wind.
STRETCH-TEC ADVANCED - A heavier, more durable version of our standard Stretch-Tec with an added mechanical “Push Pull” function. The outer protects and has a water repellent finish to repel rain and dirt. The inner texturised fabric removes moisture. Lightweight travel fabric ideal for hotter climates. Easy care, UV protection and quick drying.