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Balancing protective details for the most turbulent weather with a lightweight, streamlined design, this is an essential layer for dedicated mountain runners, built with Rab's own highly breathable, waterproof Proflex fabric.
Rab says:
Built for running days when the weather is against you, the Kinetic Ultra Jacket offers uncompromised protection in an ultra-breathable, lightweight package. The latest evolution in our Kinetic range, this jacket is engineered specifically for fast paced mountain ascents on the worst weather days, made with our own waterproof Proflex™ fabric.
Adaptable, quiet to wear, and soft to the touch, our advanced 3-layer Proflex™ provides the waterproof protection of a hardshell, with the stretch and comfort of a softshell. Highly breathable and fast wicking, it regulates your temperature and keeps you dry, now made with 100% recycled polyester on the face and backer.
The close-fitting, roll-away hood with laminated, cap style peak is designed for weather protection without limiting vision. It has a crown adjustment to secure the fit and a rear vent for air flow when the incline increases. Additional ventilation holes on the back of the upper arms help regulate your temperature and a lightweight, full length zip with a waterproof storm flap can be zipped right up to the neck to seal out the weather.
Extended cuffs protect the back of the hands with a stretch binding to secure them at the wrist. A body contouring fit ensures maximal mobility without any excess fabric while side adjusters can cinch the jacket in to seal out the wind. There’s also a handy upper arm zipped pocket to store a card, key or gels. Form fitting, articulated, and adaptable, the Kinetic Ultra helps you find your flow in the most challenging mountain conditions.
Our Verdict
This is a real pleasure to have on, the soft shell material feels fantastic against skin, and the amount of stretch gives this jacket unprecedented freedom of movement. Built with trail runners in mind this is an incredibly light, breathable, waterproof jacket, a core piece of running gear, not an emergency shell. It is highly packable, so if the the weather gets out nice, it takes up no room in your bag, but if you need to have it on all day, there aren’t many jackets that can compete with its level of breathability, that can also keep the worst of the weather at bay.
The Proflecx fabric consists of 3 layers, and outer recycled polyester, bonded to a hydrophilic PU membrane, this gives the jacket its waterproofness, which is backed on to another layer of recycled polyester. These, working together are how Rab have created such a hardworking waterproof that has a Hydrostatic Head of 10,00mm and a MVTR (Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate) of a very impressive 35,000. If you wish to learn more about Hydrostatic head and MVTR, have a look at the help and advice section below. The rear ventilation holes improve the jacket’s ability to vent heat, as does the “storm flap snap fastener”, which allows you to close the jacket without zipping it up, keeping the rain off, but allowing you to cool down quickly.
I am not a runner, so I’m not the target audience, however, I am a hiker and find this jacket just as exciting. It’s a really active fit, without being constrictive in any way. A drawcord around the hem and semi-elasticated cuffs keep the jacket cinched, keeping wind and rain out. The hood is adjusted by a tensioning buckle rather than a drawstring, this is brilliant, as it holds its shape better, and is much easier to adjust, especially while the jacket is on, I now want all jackets to do this. The stiffened peak is made of flexible foam, rather than a wire, so it will always revert back to its original shape.
I think this is going to be a firm favourite for hikers and runners alike, one downside, is no chest pockets, but it does have a small pocket on the left arm for keys or an energy gel. Overall this is an excellent shell, I look forward to using it again.
- Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear
Features
- Close fitting cap style hood, with laminated peak, crown adjustment and rear vent for airflow regulation
- Easy roll away hood with retainer bungee for storage when not required
- Lightweight centre front YKK reverse coil zip with waterproof storm flap
- Upper storm flap snap fastener for controlled venting
- Rear yolk ventilation holes with overlap for airflow regulation
- Upper sleeve pocket with YKK Aquaguard zip for card, key or gel storage
- Extended cuffs with stretch binding to optimise hand warmth during exposed runs
- Lightweight single sided rear hem adjustment with anti snag tether
- Multi-angle reflective branding throughout
Specifications
Our weights
- Small weighs: 240g
- Medium weighs: 243g
- Large weighs: 254g
- XLarge weighs: 275g
Material & Construction
- Proflex™ 3-layer recycled polyester stretch knit face with PU membrane (120gsm) DWR HH: 10,000 mm MVTR: 35000g/m2/24 hrs
- Main: 100% recycled polyester face, polyurethane coating with recycled polyester backer
- Centre back length (Size M): 74cm / 29.1inch
- Fit: Regular
