Rab Vital Jacket

SKU: SS22444 Categories: Mens, Windproof Shell Tag: Rab

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Product Details

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This lightweight, windproof 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 Jacket is windproof and water resistant. At 110g 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 Vital Jacket is designed with a protective, close-fitting collar and 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 zipped chest pocket will hold a snack, phone, or compass.

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 ( 113g 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. 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