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Continuing our series on iconic down jackets we take a deep dive into the Rab Microlight – a superb, lightweight jacket that will see you right from alpine summits to the pub and beyond.
Down jackets are an integral part of the Rab DNA. Maybe they’re not the OG (that maybe Eddie Bauer) but on the British scene they are the undisputed masters of down. It’s still one of the few places where you can buy specialist expedition clothing. The Microlight range has been part of their down offering for as long as I can remember and it is one of their best selling items – and deservedly so as it is a great all rounder and on any hike in the British hills you will definitely see someone wearing one.
The new Rab Microlight Alpine Hoody has quickly become one of the flagship jackets in the range and has a minimalist appeal with just enough features to make your day efficient without the bulk and/or weight. You can be sure of decent warmth from the 700 Fill Power down that has been recycled and treated with a Grangers (a British company) Hydrophobic coating that helps keep the down lofted when wet. In test this was OK in showery conditions but it did wet out after about 20 minutes of persistent rain. But to be honest my synthetic fill jackets are the same – nothing really will keep rain out. It did, however, dry out very quickly back at base and was as good as new and ready to wear after a spell in the drying room – fully lofted with no clumping. So, as you would expect from Rab the quality of the down is excellent and it has remained lofted for the time I have been using it.
One of the reasons you might choose a down jacket over a synthetic is the weight saving. The jacket weighed in at 417g for the size Medium I tested. So, nice and light; you can buy lighter but then the price goes up accordingly so I think the Microlight Alpine Hoody is well featured at a good price. It also has great eco credentials with Rab now certified B Corps as well as a founding Fair Wear partner and full traceability for the NetPlus Pertex Quantum fabric. So, you can be sure that your purchase has the highest sustainability rating. The Pertex Quantum fabric is now made using 100% recycled fishing nets and has a fluorocarbon free DWR coating that worked well in light showers.
The construction is through baffles, this is a common method of baffling and is used as it’s simple to make with the added benefit of keeping the weight and compressibility down. The downside is down leak, which is also common on this style of baffling. I have noticed some down leak at the seams, but it’s common and not too much of an issue as the leakage is minor. The baffling is also body mapped with thinner, smaller baffles under the arms (as you don’t need so much warmth there) and larger baffles on the rest of the jacket. The baffling is the more modern, thinner baffles which is a better fit in non climbing situations – unless you’re sporting a 90’s vibe which seems to be all the rage just now.
The Microlight Hoody has plenty of great features for outdoor adventures. The helmet compatible hood works well, the toggle adjustment at the back of the head has been replaced with an elasticated section and the internal toggle adjusters have clearly been designed by people who have experienced cord whip in windy conditions! Elasticated cuffs keep the draught out and make the jacket easier to put on and take off when wearing gloves, heat can also be retained with the dual sided hem adjusters which also have internal stowing. two hand warmer pockets (of which one is the stuff pocket) and a zipped chest pocket keep hands warm as well as providing plenty of storage options for gloves, phones, cameras and snacks. All zips are YKK reversed coil with glove friendly zip pulls. Final details include a discrete Rab logo on the front and more discreet, reflective flashing on the arms and a sturdy hanging loop. Some extra reflective flashing on the back of the hood would be a great update so the team behind you can see you trailblazing for them in the dark!
So, the Rab Microlight Alpine Hoody is a well designed down jacket which absolutely deserves in icon status in the Rab range of jackets, it’s perfectly suited to life on the hill, crag or mountain. It’s light enough to carry all day and compresses well into the smallest pack space. The features are expertly thought out and the price is very competitive for the sustainability credentials it offers.
The Rab Microlight Alpine Hoody comes in sizes XS-3XL for men with a whopping nine colour choices and in sizes UK 06 – 18 and an even better ten colour choices for women.
The SRP is £220 and it can be purchased direct from Rab UK or specialist retailers.
Disclosure – CGR reviewers and writers are never paid to provide a review and the website does not take advertising or link to affiliate sales. We are a bunch of keen climbers and travellers who accept sample products and offer an honest and independent review of the item.
