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Heading into Autumn, I was able to put the new Rab VR Ridgeline through its paces on Lakeland trail running adventure, testing out in the arena it was designed to excel in.

What is Vapour-Rise™

Rab’s Vapour Rise (VR) range has been with us for some time now, designed as an ‘active insulation’ piece that can be worn through changing weather conditions. The original vision from Rab was to create a wind-resistant jacket designed to be worn all day, claiming;

“allows you to move efficiently through the mountains without the need to change layers ”. (Rab - Vapour-Rise Collection)

The new jacket range is crafted with Pertex® Quantum with fluorocarbon-free DWR (durable water repellency) for the outer to provide improved wind resistance and is teamed with one of three unique linings.

What makes the Ridgeline lining interesting, in my opinion, is the body-mapping used to create strategic areas where airflow is of greater importance and other areas where moisture wicking is of higher priority. To achieve this Rab has utilised a number of fabric technologies in specific areas of the lining.

Rab’s Motiv™ with S.Café® Yarn Technology is situated on the front body, hips and lower back as well as over the shoulders and lower arms is designed to be lightweight, fast drying and durable with rapid moisture-wicking capabilities. The S.Café® tech helps increase the yarn's surface area improving moisture absorption, faster dry time and anti-odour properties.

Situated on the side body, under the arms and the upper back you will find the VR Airflow™ fabric. With an even more open structure, these sections allow for greater breathability as well as helping maintain wicking and therefore moisture management.

(Left) Motiv™ with S.Café® Yarn and (Right)  VR Airflow™ Fabric

Fit & Feel

Compared to Rab’s usual, more boxier fit, the VR Ridgeline is formed to follow the natural contours of the body and therefore a more athletic, slimmer fit is achieved. I found myself sizing up to a large size due to feeling some tightness under the armpits (I am 184 cm and have a 42” chest). This slim/athletic fit is well suited to the proposed purpose of The VR Ridgeline, as multiple layering is not required and maximising breathability is the main aim. The adjustable hem is easy to use with just one hand and can further help achieve the athletic fit.

Real World Testing

Whilst not quite into the Winter months, the mountain tops across the Lake District in late September can still get pretty chilli and no better place to test the VR Ridgeline whilst I supported a friend on his attempt to break the 12-hour mark on the Abraham’s Tea Round trail running challenge. This challenge covers approximately 30 miles and takes in 10 ‘tops’ with 12,000+ feet of ascent, starting and finishing in Keswick I joined the support crew at Buttermere with around 15 miles to go…

The moderate temperature in the valley and with the ascent straight out the block from Buttermere up to Whiteless Pike, I choose to keep the Jacket stowed away until we hit the tops. The small pack size and compressibility of the jacket means it can be stowed easily either in the main compartment or the mesh outer stash pocket found on many running rucksacks/vests.

Now with the main climb behind us, I dawned the VR Ridgeline. This was the first time I had the jacket on with my running pack and whilst using my running pole grips/gloves. The Jacket was effortless to put on over the grips due to the stretch inserts on the cuff, this feature is also particularly useful if wearing a watch, keeping a keen eye on splits/pacing without struggling to get the cuff past the watch face.

The zip was smooth and easy to use, with no faffing on in high winds to get the zipper to work. The chest pocket allows for easy stowing of items that will be on and off throughout the run, such as gloves, buff’s or the odd sports gel, the lock slider on the zip is a nice addition stopping any movement on the toggle which can be an annoyance whilst running. Once all zipped up and the pack on my back, we were off running again across the tops. The jacket moved well with the natural motions of fell running, feeling no inhibition in the shoulder sway or tightness of fabric pulling against the rucksack, everything felt natural. The high collar helped stave off the wind, especially on exposed ridgelines, and with the contoured fit I didn't have any access fabric catching the wind. 

Getting further into the run and with a few tricky scrambles negotiated, the body temperature definitely started to rise. This is where the true test of the Vapour Rise claim comes into play, could I “move efficiently through the mountains without the need to change layers’’... In short, yes. At no point did I consider having to take a layer off even when the hill got steeper, which allowed for minimal stopping, enhancing the experience of running through the Lake District fells. The body mapping lining really did its job. I never had an insulated windshell manage moisture this well, usually once a run is over or taking a layer off due to overheating there will be stereotypical perspiration patterns on my base layer, mainly the entire back, upper chest and arms are saturated due to vapour condensing between the base layer and mid-layer/outer shell. No such issues with the VR Ridgeline, the well positioned open structure on the back panel along with the high wicking capabilities of the yarn impressively removed moisture from this area that is typically an issue especially when wearing a running pack. The less opened structured fabric using the Motiv™ with S.Café® Yarn was also impressively breathable, managing moisture throughout the run.

Image of the jacket is inverted to show body-mapping lining

This moisture management was also key in allowing the insulating properties of the jacket to work to its full potential. When you stop or slow down, air temperature has more of an effect, which can cool the body temperature down rapidly. Hence why we wear an insulated layer. However, after working the body hard, ultimately getting sweaty and if water vapour can’t escape between layers it will condense, rapidly cooling your body leading to feeling cold and potentially negatively affecting performance. Thus, the fabric technology in Rab VR Ridgeline truly makes this jacket a performance piece.

Rab rightfully marketed the VR Ridgeline as a jacket for the runners undeterred by the trials of winter. However, this jacket has a much wider reach. Having put it through its paces running through the fells, I’ve used this piece of multiple hikes as an outer or mid-layer and see it in these conditions as a perfect transition insulation layer between Autumn and the colder months of winter.

Whether you're running, walking or mulling about the shops of Keswick the Rab Vapour Ridgeline has a lot to offer. 

Chris Futers
About the author: Chris fully immerses himself in many outdoor sports and challenges. Whether it's Multi-day hikes, Rock Climbing, Kayaking, Trail Running or Bikepacking, the allure of the outdoors is his true passion. Chris likes to test himself against the wilds, taking on multiple challenges/events such as the Lakes Travers Trail Race, TGO Challenge and Cycling the Coast to Cost (C2C) to name a few. Having worked and volunteered as a coach/instructor for multiple outdoor sports and pursuits, Chris likes to help others achieve and connect with the outdoors, always eager to pass on his knowledge and experience. Chris is our Customer Service Team Leader, joining the UOG team in 2020. Read more from Chis Futers