Staff Pick | Rab Borealis Jacket

Staff Pick | Rab Borealis Jacket

Our Staff Picks are a collection of items that our staff regularly uses and puts through the test right here in the Pacific Northwest! This Staff Pick features the Rab Borealis Jacket. 

Quick and Dirty:

• Rab Borealis Jacket
• Mountain shop stocks the Women's jacket in Marmalade, Beluga and Patriot Blue, and the Men's jacket in Ink and Beluga.
• Lightweight durable softshell jacket perfect for spring/summer mountaineering or fall hiking and climbing.
• $120
• Pros:  Lightweight, breathable with a little stretch for ease of movement.  Jacket performs well during high output activity, and is just warm enough when it’s a little cold and windy. Packable! 
• Cons: Not insulated, so if it’s really cold an insulation layer is necessary. (However, since a softshell jacket of this weight is ideal for layering, this isn’t really a con!)

Review:

I wore the Rab Borealis jacket on 3 different late spring/early summer Mountaineering excursions and it was the perfect versatile outer layer! It was breathable during high output climbing activities, but kept me just warm enough when I stopped to rest, that I didn’t need to put on other layers. With the right underlayer the Borealis jacket kept me warm in cold, cloudy, windy conditions, yet allowed good temperature regulation when the weather was calmer, or cold and sunny. The light stretch of the fabric allowed ease of movement while wielding my ice axe or ski poles, and the jacket stayed in place during activities. The garment is a little fitted so I went up a size, which allowed for a diversity of layers: sun shirt, tank top, Cap Air Hoody,  Black Spider Hoody, or puffy jacket to be worn underneath! I haven’t embarked on any Fall hikes or climbs yet, but this jacket will be in my pack when I do!

Who it’s for:

Someone who wants a comfortable, durable, versatile in a lot of weather conditions jacket.

Similar Products

Mountain Hardwear Super Chockstone Hooded Jacket - The fit and flexibility of the Borealis jacket is superior and the functionality is essentially equivalent.

Product to pair with it