Rab VR Summit Jacket Review - ''This is now my go-to as an active mid-layer replacing my poor battered fleece''
Posted by Jamie Mantle on Aug 21, 2023
The VR Summit jacket from Rab is a true all-in-one multi-sport jacket that can take also a lot of punishment and is perfect for a number of different weather conditions.
This is a Jacket that you will find yourself using a lot due to the versatility that it offers. Firstly, it is a very lightweight jacket so it is a simple one to just pop on without having to worry about extra pack weight at less than 350g it is something that you will want to reach to pull off the peg as you leave the house.
Fit
Rab is often known for their less close-fitting style that suits a wide range of different shapes and sizes, but can sometimes feel a little too big if you are on the thinner end of the spectrum like myself, can often be a bit swamped in some of their range. However, with the VR Summit, I found it to be a very good fit for me in terms of the cut, which allowed for room to get other layers underneath, but not feel too baggy with just a t-shirt or base-layer underneath. The adjustment on the bottom of the jacket with the elastic cord, allows a good fit that prevents any excess air from getting in, but can be loosened when needed if things get a bit hot. There are Velcro adjustments on the sleeves that are a good size so quite easy to adjust even when wearing gloves, which can be an issue with some adjustment tabs I have come across. On the hood, there is also a Velcro adjustment tab that again is a good size and easy to adjust, while it doesn’t offer the same level of adjustment that you would find on a more technical jacket that uses elastic but it is enough as the hood isn’t huge.
Performance
The impressive part of this jacket for me was the versatility and the number of ways that I could use it for multiple different things. I do a lot of Bouldering over the year and this can often be in quite changing conditions so it is difficult to carry the right amount of layers as sometimes you don’t know how warm or cold it is going to get, The VR however offered a good solution to this issue. The breathability that it offers was an important factor as walking into a crag with multiple bouldering mats can be a pain, particularly in winter when you start cold but get warm quickly. So, using the VR as a jacket to wear for the walk in helped not only keep me warm from the start but the breathability allowed me to keep it on without overheating as it reduced the moisture build-up that is usually the bane of my life in my various other jackets.
I was also able to keep this on as a jacket to climb in during the colder months due to the previously mentioned breathability, but also because of the warmth that it provides when I stopped, the internal fleece lining that is warm and also very comfortable. This made it ideal in combination with a base-layer and t-shirt underneath which is particularly helpful if you are doing something very active.
Materials
The outer of the VR Summit is a Pertex Quantum Air shell that gives the jacket its high level of breathability, a basic level of water resistance which I found stood up to some light showers pretty well, and a surprising abrasion resistance for such a lightweight fabric, coping well with being rubbed against rock and being rubbed against bouldering pad straps on walk-ins. On the inner is the Vapour Rise Technology itself (for which the jacket is named) which is a fast wicking brushed polyester lining, that is one of the best I have come across at wicking away moisture. The VR has been improved from its previous incarnation which was a classic but tended to stick a bit if directly on the skin, but the new version removes this problem and also feels great against the skin.
Conclusion
The VR Summit works well as a jacket that meets multiple needs, working well as both an outer shell for those colder dry autumn days when you want to be active but still keep the chill away. It is also an ideal mid-layer for under a shell or another layer of insulation, due to the freedom of movement it offers and the level of warmth it provides, so this is now my go-to as an active mid-layer replacing my poor battered fleece.
