Eärendil wrote: ↑Sat Feb 20, 2021 6:51 am
When I was looking to buy a more breathable softshell, the Keb jacket was a strong contender. I like the hood especially. Great protection. My concern was whether the softshell panels would be a bit too breathable in strong winds. Is the extra insulation enough in all conditions for you?
//Rickard//
The hood is soooooo awesome, I use it all the time. I would not do without. Especially if I lived in northern Sweden. I'm based in Québec (Canada) but do have a good connection with Sweden, have skied there a few times already. This has allowed me to get acquainted with a lot of the Scandinavian gear before it became available in North America (Fjallraven, Klattermusen, Bergans, etc.)
Anyhow. The Keb, even though cotton is a little heavy, has been my go to nordic bc ski jacket for the last, o, 5 years or so. The main breathable softshell panels cover the entire back and around the elbows/arms. The softshelled arms just make the coat more flexible and easier to move in. The back panel helps dump loads of extra humidity.
I go for the Keb whenever the temp is between about -2C to -20C (excluding windchill factor). In the warmer temperature of that zone, it works great as is, great wind protection over all the front, and good thermoregulation, even when its quite windy. I'll usually carry a fanny pack water bottle with a snack and some waxes. In colder temperatures or on longer tours, I often carry a small light back pack. The backpack contains an insulated water bottle, a down jaclet and an extra insulative layer. The backpack acts as insulation (and wind protection) on my back. Which is actually a serious problem for me (as I sweat a lot there) with most standard jackets. However, the thicl softshell material just makes it such that the back ventilates well there with the backpack on.
I'll mention that I am a fan of the Alcima woolnet underwear. But with the Keb, I usually go for a non-meshed thin wool or synthetic base layer.
My Keb is a size larger than the normal size (i'm usually a size M, and mine is L). This was a mistake when I bought it, but as the Keb is designed clean-cut and athletic(don't know how to say it), I feel this larger size gives me more winter options (layers as needed) and still does not feel bulky.
For warmer temps, I still go for an ultralight windshell or nordic ski softshell once in a while. Here is my review of one I still use:
viewtopic.php?f=19&t=2288
On an extended tour of northern scandinavia, I used a Klattermusen Rimxfaxe. This coat is soooo amazing, especially for pulk hauling (unfortunately appears to be discontinued). Its downside is, with a pack, the back cotton just gets soaked, like any cotton/ventile/etaproof jacket would, and presses that humidity against my body.
Ha det bra!
