Rab’s winter range of clothing, including their ever-popular down products, is now available at the Cotswold Outdoor chain of stores.
Key pieces in the range include Rab’s down jackets, which now use hydrophobic down. Hydrophobic down is one of the outdoor clothing industry’s latest breakthroughs; while down is one of the best materials for insulation, it has one flaw; it looses it’s insulating properties when soaked in water. Rab’s new down is designed to repel moisture, allowing us to enjoy the warmth of down jackets, even when rain hits the mountain. This new technology not only extends the range of use of hydrophobic down garments, but also allows us to relax when unforeseen rain hits the mountain. So let’s look at some of the key pieces in the range…
Rab’s Microlight Alpine Jacket (£180) is designed to be unnoticeable in size and weight when in your pack and also able to provide all the insulation needed on the summit or in the pub. This is an ideal garment for any lightweight trekkers or alpinists. For unrelenting protection on an unplanned ledge bivy or when active in the coldest temperatures, the Infinity Endurance Jacket (£270 or £285 for men/women respectively) is possibly the industry benchmark in warm down jackets. This garment aims to give both extreme insulation and minimal weight.
Everyone needs a multi-purpose active layer, and following progress in breathable waterproof materials, soft shells have become a popular choice in recent years. Rab’s Exodus Jacket (135 for men only) is designed to stretch and breathe while also able to hold up to adverse wind and rain conditions. Arguably most important of all is a suitable base layer. The Women’s AL Pull-On (£60) is constructed from Polartec Powerdry fabric; combining quick-drying, wicking properties with active odour control. This is designed to be comfortable and warm after hours or even days in the mountains.
One item worth investing in for the upcoming winter condition is a good pair of gloves. For times when the temperature is low, contact with water is inevitable and thus quick-drying and insulation-when-wet is critical; seemingly similar to the tried and tested Super Alpine glove from Mountain Equipment, Rab’s new Alpine Glove (£50) is sure to be popular with ice climbers and trekkers alike.
Trusted by people world-wide, users of Rab’s sleeping bags have come to expect superior insulation and durability from the elements. The Ascent 700 Sleeping Bag (£240) is designed for the best possible warmth to weight ratio.
For further details on these and to see the extended Rab online range visit: http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.