The Keela Extreme gloves offer respectable warmth despite their low weight in comparison to others tested by James Roddie.
At 140g for a size Medium pair, these are noticeably lighter than some of the other gloves in this test. However, they offer respectable levels of insulation in cold conditions.
James Roddie recommends
These are ideal to take as a second pair of gloves on very wet days when you know you will need more than one pair- low weight
- textured palm grip
- not as waterproof as some other gloves
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £59.95 |
| Weight: 140g (Size M pair) |
| Materials: Nylon shell, polyester lining |
| Insulation: Primaloft |
| Waterproof: Primaloft |
| Features: Drawcord cuff, nose wipe, pairing clip, textured palm |
| Sizes: S – XL |
| Men’s version: Unisex |
| keelaoutdoors.com |
I found the waterproofing to be a bit less effective than that found in some of the other gloves, but it still does a good job in moderate rain and wet snow. The lining is soft and cosy, and the materials feel high quality throughout.
There is a soft nose wipe extending most of the length of the thumb.
I really like the textured palm. This gives you a reassuring amount of grip whilst using poles or an ice axe, and it is noticeably gripper than the palm found on the other glove in the test. I would prefer it to be reinforced between the thumb and forefinger however. The palm extends over the fingertips.
Unlike many winter hiking gloves, the Keela Extreme offers a touchscreen compatible zone on the thumb and forefinger. It works effectively, but the fabric is thick enough to make using a touchscreen very fiddly.
The gauntlet cuff tightens nicely around your wrist to keep out any draughts, and this is easily adjusted. The fully elasticated wrist can make it a little tricky to pull the gloves on, particularly when your hands are wet, but it helps with overall warmth.
These are quite tight-fitting gloves. Despite this I found the thumb to be slightly too long, but not overly so.
Considering their relatively lightweight design and overall performance, these are ideal to take as a second pair of gloves on very wet days when you know you will need more than one pair. They offer good performance in winter conditions at an affordable price, at a relatively low weight.
Testing Conditions
James tested these gloves in a variety of conditions during winter in the Scottish Highlands. Weather included 40mph+ winds, heavy rain, wet snow, dry snow and clear/frosty days. James usually wears size medium gloves. Gloves were measured on his own scales.
This review was first published in the November 2024 issue of The Great Outdoors. For more winter glove reviews, as tested by the experts, see our guide to the best winter gloves for hillwalking and mountaineering.
