Rab Vital Hoody

SKU: SS22443 Categories: Mens, Windproof Shell Tag: Rab

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Product Details

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This lightweight, windproof hooded jacket is ideal for spring and summer mountain adventures. Practical and packable, it can be worn all day or stashed for the moment you reach the windy ridgeline.

Rab says:

Built with our own Atmos™ fabric with a fluorocarbon-free DWR finish, the Vital Hoody is windproof and water resistant. At 130g and with a small pack size, it’s super versatile and handy to have stashed in your pack for spring and summer mountain adventures, providing instant wind protection when you need it. Breathable, fast drying and designed with a regular fit, it’s comfy to wear all day long.

The hood has a stiffened peak, rear volume adjustment and elasticated opening to keep it secure in windy conditions. It has a full length YKK® front zip with an internal storm flap to keep out the draught and a roll over chin guard to stop the zip from rubbing. A clever snap closure at the chest allows the zip to act as a deep vent for dumping heat whilst keeping the jacket in place. Dropped shoulder seams allow for a seamless fit with a pack, elasticated cuffs keep the breeze out and two zipped hand pockets will hold gloves or a hat for when their needed. Ideal for all mountain activities from mountain running and fast hiking, to scrambling along ridgelines or mountain biking.

Our Verdict

Windbreakers are a vital and often overlooked bit of backpackers’ kit, everyone carries a waterproof for when the weather turns bad and the heavens open, but when it’s not raining, and the winds are howling, you can be in for just a rotten of a time. A cold wind on a hot day still can chill you to your core and can ruin a good days hiking, putting on a waterproof-on can alleviate this situation but no matter how good of an MVTR it has, you will soon start to run hot. This is where the windbreaker comes into its own, they are extremely light ( 136g based on the Medium), highly breathable, pack down incredibly small ( this one has its own stuff sack), and even offer some protection from light rain, and compared to the price of a high end waterproof, the price is remarkable. It’s vital on warm days with changeable weather, and as it’s so small and lights it’s something you can pack and forget about until needed.

It’s a well-fitted jacket, not constrictive, but not going to hamper you when out in high winds, a one-sided drawcord adjustment at the hem cinches the jacket in, preventing updrafts, and the cuffs are partially elasticated, reducing weight whilst still ensuring a nice fit. The elasticated hood fits well and ensures no wind will get in the jacket that way, it has a stiffened hood to keep rain and sun out of your eyes and can be adjusted with a Velcro adjustment tab at the back of the hood, again this safes weight, and I always find it easier to adjust Velcro, especially if I have the jacket on. A recent trend I’m a big fan of, is the snap closure, located near your sternum, essentially a way of closing the jacket without having to do the zip up, which gives you protection from the wind whilst being able to quickly ventilate heat.

A jacket like this has a lot of uses, climbing, hillwalking, and backpacking, but I get just as much use out of mine walking in the park or off down the shops, a light, fast shell, that protects from wind and some rain. .

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear