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The  Xenair from Rab is a synthetic jacket comprising Primaloft Gold Active+ insulation, in a low profile that can be used as a mid-layer for winter, or as a stand-alone jacket for use in autumn and spring.

At 337 grams in a medium size, it’s a fairly lightweight jacket, and certainly feels so when worn. A relaxed, comfortable fit, with a nice amount of length in the arms, and generous at the back. There is an option to choose a version with a hood, although we really liked the simplicity of not having this and found it to be a great choice as part of a larger layering system for cold weather activities, most often worn over a simple base layer.

The use of Primaloft Gold Active+ insulation makes for an adaptable jacket for mixed weather conditions. The mix of 80/60gsm lofts well, is comfortable to wear even to sleep in throughout the night, and packs down small for easy storage in a pack. This isn’t a jacket that’s going to provide an instant big hit of warmth but is instead an all-day wear. Breathability is very good and a key feature of the  Xenair is its effectiveness to regulate body warmth. For use in autumn and early spring we found as a standalone jacket it would take the chill off the day. The outer Pertex Quantum Air ripstop fabric making for decent protection against moderate windspeeds and light showers or snowfall. Although for this version without a hood, an extra layer is needed for when windspeeds increase or rainfall becomes frequent. 

Pocket space is very generous, large enough to easily hold a map and compass, mobile phone, etc, and we really liked the elasticated cuffs which fit neatly over lighter weight gloves. One of the pockets doubles up as a stuff sac which has become a common feature on most jackets of this type and does allow for quick storage. 

The Xenair is quite delicate to the touch which makes for a pleasant wear, although the lightweight 20D fabric you wouldn’t want too many scrapes against sharp or course rock, so a bit of care does need to be taken.

Cleaning is easy as the Pertex Quantum Air ripstop fabric, along with the use of a synthetic insulation, can be easily washed at home. Making it a very versatile jacket that can be applied to many activities. With two young children on longer walks the inevitable shoulder ride will come in at some stage. The kids muddy wellies are less of a worry with a jacket like the Xenair which can be easily cared for at home.

Our Verdict

At 337 grams in a medium size, we found the  Xenair to be a lighter weight insulating jacket that’s highly packable and versatile, coming in handy for longs days in the mountains or as a quick to grab jacket for walks in the local woodlands with the family. On first appearance it’s a very simple design, with a relaxed fit, and certainly less technical of a jacket than other pieces we have used over the recent autumn and winter season. Often is the case that simple works best, and we found the design to work more so for us as a mid-layer, without a hood, fitting nicely as part of a larger layering system. Saying this, we would often grab the Xenair for local walks in which a jacket that can easily washed at home was of benefit. The build quality is of a slight concern to us, with some signs of wear showing early on, so care is needed.

Trek Scotland is a small family business based in the picturesque village of Tomintoul in the North East region of the Cairngorms National Park. They provide bespoke Mountain Guiding for Single Day Walks and Lightweight Multiday Trekking experiences, including wild camping, in the stunning Cairngorms wilderness and surrounding areas. Whether in the high mountains or lower valleys, their Multiday Treks are equipped with high quality, lightweight camping and trekking gear. They only work with small groups and, whatever your ability, pride themselves on designing your outdoor experience completely to your needs and with professional guidance and expertise. Adventure is waiting... Read more from Trek Scotland