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I love September; moving from summer to autumn is always my favourite time. The change in weather means it's the perfect time to get out hiking and to test out some of this year's new Autumn and Winter range. One of the first pieces I was keen to get my hands on was Rab’s latest incarnation of the Vapour Rise Alpine Light Jacket, which has always been a stand-out piece in Rab's range.

The VR Alpine Light is a wind-resistant jacket designed to be worn all day, a put-on and leave-on jacket. Rab Carrington himself designed it, and over the years, it has grown a strong reputation among the outdoor community for its quality and performance. It is a mainstay on many outdoor enthusiasts' gear lists and is often recommended as a top choice for a versatile and reliable jacket.

The Vapour Rise range uses two fabrics to insulate and promote unparalleled airflow. The two layers are not sewn together so that air can flow between the garment and the body and between the lining and outer shell. This unrestricted airflow helps ensure moister vapour disburses quickly and efficiently while keeping you warm.

Rab class the Alpine Light as a soft shell jacket. It uses a Pertex Quantum Air outer shell, a lightweight, highly breathable, windproof fabric. Though not waterproof, this Pertex Quantum Air layer has been treated with a fluorocarbon-free DWR to repel light rain.

The main body of the Alpine Light, the chest, back and shoulders, has been lined with Rabs “Motive fabric”, a fast-drying, moisture-wicking liner that works similarly to a base layer, helping move sweat away from the skin.

The high sweat areas, such as the underarms, use a material with a more open-structured weave to unrestrict airflow even further.

The jacket works best when exerting yourself in cooler conditions; it is not a heavily insulated piece and is aimed more towards wicking away moisture rather than providing warmth. There is no better stand-alone outer layer when the wind whips around you on a cold, crisp mountain day.

Though designed as a winter layer, you will get year-round use from the Vapour Rise Alpine Light. I take my old alpine light camping with me throughout the summer; it's a nice layer to throw on when it gets chilly sitting around camp or walking back from the pub in the evening. It packs down incredibly small and weighs only 315g, so I’ll happily stuff it into my day pack year-round.

The jacket has two high chest pockets that I found easy to access while wearing a heavy backpack, and they would also work well with a harness. If I’m nitpicking, I would have liked to have some hand-warming pocket, but this is a minor criticism. The pockets are large enough to fit a map, compass, gloves, or food items. The hood has a short wired peak and a basic Velcro adjustment at the back. The semi-elastic face opening helped ensure a good fit and kept the wind off my face. The hood is not helmet-compatible, but it fits comfortably under a helmet due to the lightweight fabric. The hem of the jacket can be cinched with a simple drawcord. This prevents cool air from entering the jacket and is very simple to use, even with gloves on. The partially elasticated cuffs ensure a close, unrestrictive fit.

I’m excited to use this jacket more this autumn and winter. I hope to tick off a few Wainwright’s this season, and this is the perfect outer shell for some fast-paced, low-weight assents. 

Andy Neil
Andy has been a keen long-distance hiker and wild camping enthusiast since he completed the Cleveland Way in 2015. Since then, he has walked thousands of trail miles all over the UK and is an active member of the Wild Camping UK community, being an admin of the largest wild camping community on Facebook. He strongly advocates for responsible wild camping and believes it is important to leave no trace when camping in the wilderness. He joined the UOG team in 2021 and works as a website developer and content creator. Read more from Andy Neil