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The Vapour Rise series of RAB garments are designed to provide comfortable insulation and protection from the wind without causing you to overheat if you start climbing up something, or the sun comes out. To achieve this Nirvana a garment needs to transfer moisture away from the skin or base layer so you remain dry and comfortable. I tested the Vapour Rise Summit Jacket on a recent h …

One of the more technical jackets we have used over the past 6 months, the Axis Alpha Down jacket on first appearance is similar in design to the Montane Quattro Fusion, a jacket we very much enjoyed testing and reviewing and have continued to use over the past few years. Montane has a great reputation for creating some very innovative clothing, with a wide mix of materials to produce …

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, …

Worn as a daytime synthetic layer on a backpacking trip in late September to Switzerland, the micro puff seems to be one of the lightest insulated jackets around. I carry a down jacket against the evening chill but a light synthetic for daytime, and as I’m normally on the move I don’t need too much to keep me warm. The Micro Puff is ideal for the job and I was really impressed by how …

The Haglofs Mid Touring jacket is a technical piece of clothing aimed for use in the colder months, working as either a mid-layer or a stand-alone outer layer for calmer days. In terms of stylings the Mid touring jacket certainly stands out, with us receiving a colour mix of blue and green, clearly highlighting the two separate forms of insulation used. There’s no denying this is a …

Rab’s latest range of winter jackets look to be creating a lot of interest, with the Generator Alpine showing early signs that this could be a cold weather jacket specifically with British winter conditions in mind. “Built for exposed climbs and formidable winter weather, the new Generator Alpine …

The Rab Infinity jacket is around the largest and heaviest jacket we would look to pack within our kit, able to combat the coldest temperatures you will most likely face in the UK. Containing a substantial 250 grams of 800FP R.D.S Certified European Goose Down, with a total weight of 730 grams (size medium), this amounts to a big jacket to be relied on in the harshest conditions providing instant …

Out of all the equipment we have received of late the Rab Kaon jacket has certainly been most interesting and, at the same time conflicting. First of all, let’s not mess around, this is one fine looking jacket. In Dark Sulphur, with its small panel design, it’s an eye-catching garment but that’s not to say this is a fashion piece. This is a fully technical jacket packed full of innovative design e …

The OMM Core Jacket is the first item of clothing we have used that features Primaloft’s NEXT insulating fabric, and by feature, we mean almost entirely made from this single fabric. Primaloft have a lengthy description about the finer details of the fabric with this particular section catching our attention. "Mimicking properties found in animal fur, constructed with fibers of differing lengths a …

Rab’s Vapour Rise collection has a strong reputation that has been a mainstay amongst the outdoor community for many years now. Three new Vapour Rise jackets have been recently introduced with us receiving the middle weight option, the VR Alpine Light Jacket. Rab state that "our VR Alpine Light Jacket’s approach to insulation is built on two years of applied field testing with the Association of M …

The Micro Puff Hoody, in line with Patagonia’s ethical practices, is a Fair Trade sewn item using Bluesign Approved fabrics. The shell is made from nylon ripstop Pertex Quantum with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish and is filled with a PlumaFill synthetic down alternative.Notably light at just 227 grams, when first inspecting the jacket we weren’t entirely convinced by its promised “down-lik …

When the OR Ascendant Hoody arrived we were very excited as OR have laid down a big claim saying this jacket would be “your new favourite layer for fall, winter and spring.” Active Insulation, Water-Resistant, Wind-Resistant, Breathable, Lightweight, Movement-Mirroring Stretch Fabric, Adjustable Helmet-Compatible Hood, are all qualities that sound like a winner but when it arrived we were a little …