It’s no secret that most of my kit is Rab. I choose Rab because the fit is great, and their products always seem to last and endure whatever I throw at them. When they don’t, their customer service and repairs are top notch!
With my focus on moving faster and lighter, I started looking into some of the lighter kit Rab had to offer. Softshell jackets have caught on in the last few years, and they have well and truly shed the image of being a bit of a gimmick.
This year, Rab has revealed its Vital Windshell Jacket (also available in a hooded version.) This would appear to be a replacement for the Windveil Jacket released last year, with the Pertex fabric being changed for Rabs own Hyperlite Material. By making this change, Rab have cut the price whilst keeping it ultra lightweight and packable. On first impressions, this seemed to fit the bill as a lightweight softshell for shoving in a rucksack during summer hikes, or donning for Trail running and Mountain Biking when it gets a bit slushy on the ground into the Autumn. I have tried and tested this jacket in a variety of conditions and have been absolutely impressed with it performance as well as its durability.
Fabric
So Hyperlight? Yes it is. A suitable replacement for Pertex? Maybe. The major bonus is the price. The Windveil was retailing for around £100 with its Pertex material, but the Windshell is as low as £35 if you shop around. Despite the massive price difference, you still get a very windproof jacket that will cut out the chill as you wonder onto exposed Mountains, or make rapid descent on your Mountain bike. I have mainly used it for the later, and I can safely say it does the job, wearing it on cooler days when bombing downhill. It keeps out the mud and spray whilst preventing you getting to warm when you pedal your way back up the other side.
I am massively impressed with its durability. At first I was sceptical about wearing it for anything that may get a
bit rough and tough, and kept using it for day to day wearing or windy runs and walks. It felt a bit too fragile to wear Mountain biking or climbing, and I was pretty sure a snag on a bush or rock would tear through the material. Oh but no. During a pretty disastrous Mountain biking run, I managed to catapult myself over my handle bars, with my shoulder taking the full brunt of the impact. Instantly I assumed the jacket was a goner. In fact it pretty much shrugged it off. Of all the gravel and rocks I had landed on, not one had punctured or damaged it. Not only that, after using it all day weaving through over grown hedge rows and brushing pass brambles and gorse on Dartmoor, there wasn’t even a mark despite loads of snagging. Top marks for durability.
Its worth pointing out this isn’t meant as fast activities jacket and is aimed as Rabs Mountain and hill walking customers. I have used it though for fast activites and it performs pretty well. The only draw back is the material isn’t very breathable, and you soon get a bit of moisture build up on the inside which can make it a bit uncomfortable. Rab has tried to counter this with a full length zip at the front with a popper half way up to secure that jacket in place even with zip completely undone. Despite that, it still gets a bit damp on the arms.
In terms of being weatherproof, the jacket does what it says on the tin. It keeps the wind out and stops the chill from cutting through you whatever your activity. Its not billed as water resistant, but it does an ok job of keeping light showers off. The DWR is pretty much non-existent though, and compared to its predecessor, it’s not going to help much in the rain if you’re caught out.
Design
To make the most of its lightweight material, the design has cut back on excess features as much as possible.
You get one chest pocket which is big enough for a phone or energy bar, a half hem drawcord to tighten the bottom and a full-length zip with a popper near the top to keep the jacket together even when the zips undone. Usefully, the chest pocket also doubles up as a stuff sack for the jacket, and its small enough you can still cram it into a trouser pocket (which I’ve done!)
What you may miss is some extra pockets. I think two hand pockets would be useful which would still add very limited weight overall, with a size large of this jacket weighs in at only 125g. Its very simple, but effective!
Fit
The fit and cut is near perfect. The material offers very little stretch, but it’s not noticeable as the cut of the jacket allows for plenty of movement even under a rucksack. (I’m 80kg, 6 foot tall and use a size large).
I had very little issues with it riding up whilst wearing a rucksack, with it catching maybe once on the rucksack belt, it also doesn’t have much of a “rustle” when moving for those that find the noise irritating on some light weight jackets.
Part elasticated cuffs keep the arms down, but still allow you to roll them up a bit if you’re getting a bit warm. You’re not going to get these all the way pass your elbows though.
Overall
Considering the price of this jacket, I’m pretty impressed with its features and especially its durability. If it can shrug off my recklessness, it will do the same for most others looking at buying it.
There’s unfortunately a few bits stopping it from being the perfect windshell; better DWR would be a massive bonus, and larger pockets would be handy (the hooded version does have extra pockets.) The clamminess under the jacket does make it a bit damp, but the popper counter acts this for your torso, you just have to put up with it on your arms.
The Vital Windshell is still a great piece to take with you in the summer/autumn when the forecast is fairer, and for any kind of cycling it will fit the bill, keeping you protected from slushy mud for a reasonable amount of time.
All in all, a brilliant piece of kit at a very good price, and it has earned its place on my kit list for fast and light adventure days, when minimal packable protection is all I need!
Rab say:
Ideal for a wide range of mountain activities, the Vital Windshell Jacket is lightweight and packable, offering instant protection from the wind when the weather turns.
Made with a durable Hyperlite™ windproof outer, the Vital Windshell Jacket is a simple but essential piece of mountain clothing providing extra protection as you approach a summit, or any exposed position. Weighing just 125g, it doesn’t compromise on features, including soft touch close-fitting collar, and YKK® front zip with internal storm flap. Part elasticated cuffs, and half hem drawcord mean the fit can be adjusted for additional protection, and the chest pocket converts into a stuffsack so it takes up minimal space in your pack.
Offering protection when you need it, the Vital Windshell Jacket is a key piece for anyone looking to reduce weight while moving quickly through the mountains.
Weight: 125g/4.4oz
Hyperlite™ light-weight and windproof nylon outer
YKK® front zip with internal storm flap
YKK® chest pocket converts into stuffsack
Part elasticated cuffs
Soft touch close-fitting collar
1/2 hem drawcord
Reflective logos front and rear
Fit: Regular