5 Rab Vapour Rise Guide Jacket Review

Reviewer: Miguel de Merlo, Spain   (4-5-2012)

It is a jacket that appears to be somewhat heavy, but it isn't. It is comfortable and warm and very breathable. Combined with a baselayer, I use for rock climbing in cold days. It is more bulky to wear a fleece and a separate softshell. This garment offers both with less volume and gives you more freedom of movement. In the shade I've put the jacket, in the Sun, only the baselayer. In addition, it is a good backup for those sunny days that end up in storm when you are still coming down from the wall. In short, design very successful and excellent idea of uniting a hot fabric and another weatherproof. Super recommended if you have clear ideas about your activity.

5 Rab Vapour Rise Guide Jacket Review

Reviewer: PAUL, BIRMINGHAM   (14-1-2012)

I received this jacket along with the matching RAB VR Guide Pants (also reviewed) as a Christmas gift from the wife and have just had the opportunity to test them out on a week of early January walking and climbing in the Lochaber and Glencoe mountains.

The jacket performed extremely well in a variety of conditions from perfect sunny calm weather on the ridges of Bidean Nam Bian to a very windy wet day on Ben Nevis. I have used the jacket in conjunction with the RAB Alpine Jacket and Generator jacket (also from FaceWest). I found that by using the Alpine jacket for the ascent from the valley, swapping to the Guide jacket for the rest of the climb and using the Generator over the top for rests and long belays on colder days provided a flexible lightweight combination. A day of constant cold rain on the Ben wearing only the Guide jacket with the Alpine jacket over the top proved this to be a very effective clothing system which although wet felt warm and dry next to the skin and without the inflexibility and rustle of a HardShell.

Functionally the Hood fits well over a helmet and is an excellent adjustable design with wired peak, the 3 external pockets are well thought out with access not restricted by a pack or harness and the 2 internal pockets are ideal for warming wet gloves. The pit zips perform well for ventilation and the lining feels good over a baselayer or next to the skin. Overall an excellent jacket which I would recommend to anyone looking for a warm effective softshell. Service from FaceWest was as always excellent.

5 Rab Vapour Rise Guide Jacket Review

Reviewer: Chris Wild, Bathgate   (9-1-2012)

I have used the Vapor-Rise Lite Tour extensively this year in the UK and have been hugely impressed, so when I saw that Rab were making a heavier weight version I figured it would be perfect for Scottish winter duties. It is!

I took it for a try out up Ben Ghlas and Ben Lawers this weekend. Conditions were 4 degrees C at the car park, sub zero temperatures and 50 mph winds on the summits, and freezing, heavy rain on the descent. I wore the Rab over a lightweight Helly Hansen thermal top and it coped magnificently – It vents and breathes well enough that I did not overheat on the way up, was warm and windproof enough to keep out the biting winds up on top, and made a heroic effort in keeping out the rain. I did end up using my hardshell eventually as the rain was heavy and persistent, but at a push I could have definitely done without.

Rab claim that Vapour-Rise is not 100% windproof but I definitely did not feel cold despite the fact that the wind on top was strong enough to make me resort to crawling in a couple of places, and despite getting pretty wet the jacket had dried out by the time I got back to the car. My only real complaint is that the hood, being helmet compatible, is a bit of a faff while it is being worn under a hardshell hood – I would prefer a smaller hood such as the one on the Lite-tour. Other than that I really can’t fault it. A superb piece of kit!

5 Rab Vapour Rise Guide Jacket Review

Reviewer: Christoffer Andersson, Falun   (21-11-2011)

When it is seriously cold outside, all clothing with membranes in them will sooner or later become rather inefficient due to them not being breathable enough. This jacket on the other hand uses materials that rely on the fabric in itself to be weather resistant, and even though this makes the jacket less protective than a traditional hardshell jacket, the breathability is much better, and this is the most vital part of any clothing aimed at winter use.

As for the quality of the jacket, I can’t say anything but positive things - but I have only been using it in wet weather (with no problems) so far. It is very well built, and as usual regarding Rab kit the design is clever. It is extremely comfortable and soft, and feels more like a sweater or fleece jacket than a shell jacket.

I believe that this is one of the best possible choices for anybody in need of a jacket that is to be used in very cold weather. Especially considering the very competitive price tag.