Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket Assessment

Backside Line

We’ve cherished this puffy for a very long time. The Rab Microlight Alpine (males’s / ladies’s) is a strong decide for cold-weather adventures, balancing heat, sturdiness, and climate resistance. Its 700-fill hydrophobic down and Pertex Quantum shell do an important job of trapping warmth whereas blocking wind. 

The wire-brimmed hood and adjustable hem add some additional safety when the climate turns. It’s acquired an athletic match that strikes nicely for actions like climbing and mountaineering, although the minimize may not work for everybody. In case you want a reliable, no-fuss down jacket for staying heat in harsh situations, this one’s value a glance.

The principle disadvantage is its weight and bulk. It’s a bit heavier and fewer packable than some rivals, however that’s the trade-off for its substantial weight in down fill and hard supplies. The Microlight Alpine additionally gives nice worth as one of many least costly jackets we examined.

We examined the Microlight Alpine on gusty ridge hikes within the Indian Peaks, snowy treks in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park, and chilly mornings within the foothills close to Boulder. It dealt with biting winds, gentle snowfall, and fluctuating temperatures with ease, retaining us heat and guarded down into the mid to excessive 20s. For extra choices, try our information to the most effective down jackets.

How We Examined

We’ve logged 1000’s of miles on this jacket, taking it on numerous backpacking journeys, river journeys, ski journeys, and extra. For the previous six years, it’s been our go-to, on a regular basis carry jacket. Currently, it’s been a staple on our weekly winter hikes and ski excursions by means of the Colorado mountains.

Consolation

One of many foremost causes we just like the Rab Microlight Alpine a lot is due to its consolation. Rab is understood for its consideration to element within the building of its merchandise, and Microlight Alpine is a shining instance. The Pertex Quantum shell and lining really feel exceptionally gentle in comparison with lots of the jacket’s rivals, enhancing the general carrying expertise.

The small particulars actually make a distinction with this jacket. The elastic cuffs match snugly with out feeling restrictive, the sleeve size is excellent, and the athletic minimize gives a smooth match that strikes together with your physique throughout actions. The additional room within the higher physique is appreciated throughout actions the place mobility is necessary, like climbing. 

The whopping 5.4 oz. of 700 fill-power down insulation (whereas not essentially the most compressible) provides a gentle, plush really feel, making it cozy to put on for prolonged intervals. Options just like the adjustable hem, wire-brimmed hood, and gentle materials defending your neck and face when absolutely zipped additional improve consolation.

Whether or not you’re carrying it for a cold morning climb or a day on the slopes, the Microlight Alpine gives distinctive consolation, making it considered one of our favourite jackets for cold-weather adventures. It’s clear Rab designed this jacket with not solely efficiency but additionally consumer consolation in thoughts.

Heat

Whereas not the warmest jacket we examined (that nod goes to the Microlight’s large brother, the Neutrino), the Microlight Alpine gives a superb degree of heat for its measurement and weight. Filled with 5.4 ounces of 700-fill-power hydrophobic down, it gives dependable insulation in chilly, dry situations. The mix of this high-quality down and the 30D Pertex Quantum shell creates a superb barrier towards wind, making certain that heat stays trapped inside. We stayed heat in temperatures all the way down to the mid-20s so long as we have been shifting. Nevertheless, when standing nonetheless—reminiscent of in a belay state of affairs—we most well-liked temperatures nearer to the mid-30s to remain snug.

The athletic match of the jacket additionally enhances its thermal effectivity by decreasing air gaps and retaining the down near your physique. Options just like the wire-brimmed hood, elastic cuffs, and adjustable hem additional assist seal in warmth, making it an important possibility for actions like climbing, mountaineering, and cold-weather mountain climbing.

Whereas the Microlight isn’t designed for excessive chilly or extended stationary actions, it strikes a strong stability of heat and mobility, making it ultimate for three-season adventures or layering in harsher situations.

Weight & Packability

The Microlight normally will get docked factors for its weight and packability. Rab makes use of 5.4 ounces of 700-fill-power down, which makes the jacket cozy, heat, and inexpensive, however not the lightest or most compressible possibility. Whereas Rab may save weight by utilizing higher-fill-power down, this may inevitably drive up the worth. The sturdy 30D Pertex Quantum shell additionally contributes to the load however gives glorious windproofing and longevity, making it a worthwhile trade-off for sure customers.

It compresses into its included stuff sack however received’t shrink all the way down to the scale of a water bottle like some lighter jackets. Nevertheless, for these prioritizing sturdiness and heat over absolute packability, the Microlight Alpine stays a strong selection. It’s greatest suited to adventures the place house and weight financial savings are necessary, however not important.

Climate Resistance

The Rab Microlight Alpine gives respectable climate resistance for a down jacket, although it’s not designed for extended publicity to moist situations. Rab has carried out a number of options to assist fend off the weather. The 30D Pertex Quantum shell is wind-resistant and handled with a sturdy water-repellent (DWR) end to shed gentle precipitation. Whereas efficient for transient encounters with rain or snow, DWR coatings, typically, don’t maintain up nicely beneath sustained moist situations.

To additional fight moisture, Rab makes use of hydrophobic down handled with a Nikwax weather-resistant end. This helps the down retain loft and heat for longer in damp situations, however like all down jackets, it’s going to ultimately clump and lose its insulating properties if uncovered to an excessive amount of rain.

Extra options, reminiscent of zippered pockets, present added safety by retaining gentle moisture and wind at bay. The wire-brimmed hood is one other considerate addition, successfully directing rain and melting snow away out of your face, enhancing usability in moist situations. Whereas the Microlight Alpine isn’t designed to resist heavy rain, it excels in dealing with gentle precipitation and windy climate, making it a dependable possibility for variable situations.

Breathability

The Rab Microlight Alpine gives average breathability, making it a strong selection for cold-weather actions that don’t require excessive high-output effort. Its 30D Pertex Quantum shell balances sturdiness and airflow, permitting some moisture to flee whereas sustaining insulation. Nevertheless, as with most down jackets, its major focus is heat moderately than breathability, so it will probably really feel stuffy throughout intense actions like uphill climbs or ski touring.

The athletic minimize enhances mobility however doesn’t present a lot airflow, which might result in overheating throughout sustained exertion. To mitigate this, Rab has included smaller baffles in areas like the perimeters and underarms, the place much less insulation is required and warmth tends to construct up, permitting for higher warmth dissipation.

For low to moderately-intensity actions like mountain climbing, snowshoeing, or informal put on, the Microlight Alpine gives enough breathability. For extra strenuous adventures, pairing it with a extremely breathable base layer or choosing an artificial jacket could also be simpler.

Ought to You Purchase the Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket?

After 6 years of beating within the open air with this puffy, we predict it’s positively a sure.

The Rab Microlight Alpine is a wonderful selection for out of doors lovers who prioritize heat, sturdiness, and luxury over ultralight design. Its mixture of 700-fill hydrophobic down, a Pertex Quantum shell, and considerate options like a wire-brimmed hood and adjustable hem make it well-suited for actions reminiscent of mountain climbing, mountaineering, and climbing in chilly, windy situations. The athletic minimize enhances mobility, making it ultimate for energetic pursuits. Moreover, we recognize this jacket’s versatility as a “trail-to-town” possibility for on a regular basis use.

That stated, this jacket will not be your best option for these searching for the lightest or most packable gear, as its heavier supplies and substantial down fill prioritize insulation over weight financial savings. For its heat, considerate options, and use of recycled supplies, the Microlight Alpine gives nice worth, significantly for many who worth sturdiness and efficiency in difficult situations.

What Different Down Jackets Ought to You Contemplate?

In case you’re out there for a down jacket however wish to discover different choices, you’re in luck! Beneath, we’ve highlighted just a few options to the Microlight Alpine, every providing distinctive options and advantages. Don’t neglect to take a look at our complete gear information to down jackets for an in-depth have a look at the highest picks!

Patagonia Down Sweater Assessment: The Microlight Alpine excels in climate resistance and technical efficiency with its Pertex Quantum shell and hydrophobic down, whereas the Patagonia Down Sweater focuses on simplicity, consolation, and flexibility, making it ultimate for on a regular basis use and light-weight out of doors actions. The Down Sweater Hoddy is a bit more costly however lighter weight. 

Rab Neutrino Assessment: The Rab Neutrino prioritizes most heat with its higher-fill down, making it ultimate for excessive chilly and stationary use, whereas the Rab Microlight Alpine is lighter and extra versatile, excelling in energetic pursuits like mountain climbing and climbing. Each are made of comparable top-quality supplies. Nevertheless, the neutrino is far heavier and costlier resulting from its distinctive heat. 

REI Magma 850 Down Hoody Assessment: The REI Magma 850 Down Hoody gives spectacular heat and packability at a lower cost, making it an important worth for ultralight lovers. In distinction, the Rab Microlight Alpine gives higher sturdiness, match and climate resistance, making it ultimate for extra rugged, technical adventures.