Keela Dunlin Women’s Hoody review: lightweight run fleece that’s “brilliant at the colder end of the spectrum”

Keela is an outdoors brand born and bred in Scotland some 37 years ago. Alongside production of mountain gear, their heritage includes kitting out Emergency Services and producing over 750,000 PPE gowns during the pandemic. 

Keela are transparent in their measures to repair, repurpose, and reuse surplus and reduce waste. It’s refreshing to find a sportswear brand that practices what they preach when it comes to sustainable practices and community. Why is this important when testing running jackets? British runners and triathletes often train in less than ideal conditions – like it or not, extremely cold, windy, or stormy weather is part of the make-up of the UK. We need gear we can rely on. 

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Design and features

This sports hoody from Keela was a wildcard in our spring run jackets testing and I came away pleasantly surprised. The Dunlin jacket is not a run-specific layer, but rather a lightweight fleece designed for “mountain performance.” The Dunlin Hoody weighs in at 383g (13.5oz for UK10) and doesn’t pack down small. This sets it apart from a typical waterproof running shell – it’s five times heavier than the Inov8 also tested, but its remit isn’t the same. 

The Dunlin is designed to be worn after a running top and before a shell as a mid-layer. Its athletic fit sits close to the body without being skin tight. Unlike many formless crisp-bag jackets I’ve tested over the years, the Dunlin provides a comfortable woman-specific fit (men’s version also available) with a scoop back and slight flare at the hips. Three zip pockets sit flush to the body and are an excellent size. My only niggle is the sleeves, which are a bit too tight to easily roll past my running watch. Other jackets side-step this with partial elastication at the wrist.  

Fit and performance

The main aim with the Dunlin is warmth retention, without feeling stuffy. Specifically, Keela says the jacket is designed to hit the optimum “warmth-to-weight ratio”. This is achieved via the performance fleece – a high-loft insulative fabric that traps warm air, while remaining breathable. When on, the recycled polyester material used provides a nice balance of rigid and soft. The inner is constructed with a fluffy waffle grid texture that’s gentle against the skin, while the smooth outer fabric is both flattering and supportive. 

The high neckline is a little unusual, but comes in handy for particularly cold runs. It protects the throat from cold air and provides good support for running with the hood up. That being said, there’s a lot of extra fabric here, which can flap around while running when unzipped. The hood itself is a handy add-on for the cold, but doesn’t provide much forehead coverage and wouldn’t offer a great deal of protection in light rain. 

Overall verdict

I wore the jacket on runs in 8-18°C temperatures and it was really brilliant at the colder end of the spectrum. Not being an every-gram-counts kind of runner, the extra bulk didn’t bother me for training runs. The material moves with you with no rustle and breathability is impressive. Considering the hoody is made for a range of activities, including hiking and trekking, the Dunlin offers great value for money. The hoody comes in either cherry or grey for women, in sizes UK8-20. 

Keela Dunlin Women’s Hoody specs