Rab  Microlight Alpine Down Jacket - Men's

I have been reticent to upgrade my go-to lightweight winter jacket for outdoor adventures for over a decade now, but the Rib’s Microlight Alpine Down Jacket has won me over. Weight: The jacket and its stuff sack weigh in at 15oz on my kitchen scale. That’s 1oz more than what the Rap website lists and 2 oz less than REI’s listing of the same jacket. Perhaps this is made up slight variance in fill rates and, for my use, doesn’t make a large impact. The bottom line is that this is a very lightweight jacket for the warm that it provides. Warmth: I’ve been able to use this jacket for both city and hiking use and in both scenarios it provides superb warmth for its weight that you should expect from a down jacket. In below freezing weather I have to unzip the jacket to a void overheating. I do wish the jacket had pit zips to help with ventilation, but absolutely love the attached hood and the head warmth provides. The hood comes with a flexible inlaid wire brim which is a great touch for sun visor / wind / snow protection. The hood can be snugged down with two draw cords, but the jacket must be 1/4 unzipped for this function, making on-the-fly adjustments potentially an issue. The sync cord release is easy and intuitive. What’s gained from hiding the cords is a seamless exterior that does a good job in stopping the wind. When fully zipped and cinched, the opening can be as narrow as a mummy-style sleeping bag opening. The brushed fabric color fabric is warm and soft on the face and the zipper cover prevents cold metal from irritating the skin. There are two was it line cinch cords that, for my body type, seem hard necessary. Much like the hood, these adjustment are not terribly easy to adjust on the fly, but function well enough. Fit: At 5’10" and 175lbs with an average build I found the medium to be a form fitting choice. The bottom of the coat extends lower than the belt line, which would make easier to keep in place when wearing a climbing harness. There isn’t a huge amount of room inside the coat for layers, making smart choices in your base layers will be key. The jacket feels like a down sweater, in the best way possible. A good base layer, this jacket, and a good water proof layer over top would be bomb proof in cold mountain conditions. Packability: The jacket comes with a stuff sack, but for backpacking, you’re likely better off shoving this jacket into an easily-accessible section of your pack. Durability: I haven’t owned the jacket long enough to get a true sense of its durability, but what I’ve seen so far impresses me. The zippers are YKK and the outer layer is 30D recycled nylon with DWR. While there are no shoulder strap reinforcements, the jacket seems perfectly ready to handle light work in the underbrush with concern for tears or snags. The DWR coating will, as do all DWR coatings, need a refresh now and then after hard use, and the NikWax coated down fill will at some point need a down wash and refresh. Sustainability: This is where the well-made, warm, lightweight, and stylish outdoor jacket bowled me over. This jacket is largely made of recycled materials, from the outer and inner linings to the 700 down fill. It arrived in a paper package complete with an inspiring Rab vision statement. It’s a jacket I feel as good about wearing from its footprint as I do about its quality.

I wanted to love this jacket. It is an amazing jacket - high quality materials and fill, DWR, superbly crafted, great semi-long length, long arms, awesome hood with brim!, everything near perfection - I'd say the best built lightweight down jacket. However, it is simply too tight across the chest and back if you have a wider back / chest. As noted by many others, it cuts into the armpits and lat area. I sadly had to return it. If Rab could just make it one inch wider across the upper chest area it would be perfection. I don't know why but they make thier size Large for a 43 inch chest, whereas every other manufacturer seems to make Large fit a 44 inch chest. I have never had this problem with any other size L from any of the other major jacket makers. For context, I am a slim 6'-0" 170 lbs, but have a classic v-shaped (climber) upper body / back. I wear size L in all other tops & jackets, size 44 dress jacket, 16/34 in dress shirts. If you are looking at a size Large and have a 42" chest or smaller this is an amazing jacket and you'd be crazy not to get it. Be aware it does have zipper on the left which is semi-annoying. Sorry, Rab - I really wanted to keep this jacket & would've also ordered an Electron Pro had it fit. Please make your stuff an inch larger in upper back/chest!