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Part of our new Icons Revisited features, we look at the heritage and future of Rab’s iconic Vapour Rise jacket.
I have owned nearly every version of the iconic Rab Vapour Rise jacket. My favourite was the super warm Vapour Rise Guide, it was my trusty partner for many a Scottish Winter adventure and ice climbing trip to Norway. I loved it, but my poor handling of ice screws finally put paid to it and it finally gave up the ghost several years ago. I have also owned the Summit and the Alpine versions, including the hoodless version for running in, so I feel that this first Icons Revisited article deserves a place.
The concept is simple – provide a lightweight, breathable, wind- and water resistant jacket that can be used in all conditions except a full-on downpour. I thought it was a miracle jacket when I first bought mine in the mid-1990s, I had been using a fleece plus Gore-Tex hardshell before that and using a Vapour Rise meant better breathability and I only needed to take a lightweight outer shell for when things got gnarly.
The other options at the time were the Gore-Tex Windstopper which is still, to this day, a membrane-style jacket and the shelled fleece smock such as the Buffalo Windshirt or Montane Extreme. All of these were unsuitable as they were too hot for me. The Rab Vapour Rise just seemed the ideal weight of jacket, light and supple enough to be worn all day, whilst offering just about enough weather resistance to stay comfortable. I remember attempting Point Five Gully on Ben Nevis many years ago in full spindrift conditions, needless to say after two pitches we bailed (I went back two years later and did it in the most unbelievable, mint conditions) but I never once, felt like I needed a hardshell on, the jacket was damp (wet even) but I was dry enough for my base layer to be mildly damp and by the time I had got back to the car, the jacket was dry.
Back in the day – enjoying the warmth of my trusty Rab Vapour Rise Guide jacket ice climbing in Norway.
The Vapour Rise system is steeped in Rab heritage and DNA, it was developed by Rab Carrington himself (in fact my first Vapour Rise Trail smock was made in Sheffield) and has been a part of the Rab range forever, in fact, it was the only non-down jacket they made back then. Rab worked with Perseverance Mills to create Pertex Equilibrium which was what the outer shell was made from, this formed the barrier while a lightweight fleece offered warmth and wicked away excess sweat on the approach. The system worked then and still works today, the two fabrics are separate and so help to further trap air in between. There were also several types of interior insulation – there was a mesh lining which was used in the Alpine VR, this style was for fast-paced activities, moving quickly over technical terrain where breathability was (and still is) critical.
The legendary Rab Vapour Rise Trail Smock – a total game changer in the lightweight softshell layer.
Then there is a higher loft fleece style inner that traps warm and still wicks due to the fibre style, this was just about perfect for UK conditions and was the popular style (and still is) this is still the basis for the Summit range of the jacket. Finally, there was a thicker fleece-style material which coupled with a slightly more durable Pertex Equilibrium outer made for a great winter jacket.
In terms of style, there has been little change to the design, there is still a helmet-friendly hood with a wired brim, generous pockets, YKK zips and hook and hook-and-loop cuff adjusters. I would say the more modern versions have a more tailored, performance fit and enjoy more body mapping on the inside, with mesh in hot zones and fleece where you need it. The main difference, for me, is that the range has got much lighter without compromising on the warmth and breathability. Instead of the Equilibrium outer, the updated versions have been using the lightweight yet robust Pertex Quantum Air; the liner now uses a specific fast-wicking brushed inner called VR Warm and all this in a jacket that weights just 335g. Also, the new AW23 VR range uses a PFC-free DWR, contributing to Rab’s aim to eradicate all fluorocarbons by the end of 2024. Rab’s recently introduced Material Facts (https://rab.equipment/material-facts) now provide a detailed overview on the fluorocarbon status, recycled content and country of origin for all of their apparel pieces and sleeping bags.
The new 2023 Rab Vapour Rise Summit is lighter, more breathable and has a great, performance cut for climbing.
All the other features I have explained above are still present. The wired brim has been trimmed to offer just about enough stiffness for when the breeze kicks up and you still have two cord adjusters at the hem as well as a well-sized chest pocket and two hand warmer pockets. The range now also includes the great VR Alpine Light, the running-specific VR Ridgeline Jacket and the VR Cinder Jacket for those two-wheeled adventures. There are also two models of pants, there have been pants in the range for years, I don’t get on with them as I find them very hot but I have climbing friends who swear by them and never go out in winter without them on.
Other notable inclusions are the dual hem adjustment cords, two way main zip, good sized chest pocket and soft touch cuff adjusters. Rab and its parent company, Equip Outdoor Technologies, is also a certified Climate Neutral Company aiming for reaching Net Zero emissions by 2030 as well as a Fair Wear Leader brand. There is also a repair service for when a field repair needs something more permanent.
I have enjoyed and relied upon the Rab Vapour-Rise system for many of my most memorable adventures and I expect to continue to do so as I’m confident that this range of soft shells will be a Rab staple for many years to come.
The Rab Vapour-Rise Summit jacket comes in sizes S-XXL and three colour options.
The women’s version comes in sizes UK 08-16 and three colour options.
The SRP is £195 and it can be purchased directly from Rab UK and specialist retailers.
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