Derbyshire-born brand Rab have been making outdoor gear for over 85 years now and know a thing or two about outdoor clothing and equipment. Revamped for autumn/ winter 2026, they’ve given a new lease of life to their iconic Microlight down jacket range, including the launch of three new styles, all made with versatility and sustainability in mind.
Related: Best Down Jackets
Introduced in 2008, the Microlight down jacket quickly became a staple piece of kit in the UK mountains thanks to its durability and versatility both on and off the trail. In an era where insulating layers were notoriously bulky and heavy, Rab’s streamlined jacket was a welcome change for hikers, climbers, and everyday walkers alike. It was (and still is) an effective insulation layer that managed to refine outdoor insulation without compromising on durability and warmth along the way.
2020 then saw Rab honing in on sustainability by transitioning the collection to 100% recycled down, as well as 100% recycled outer fabrics and recycled nylon linings throughout. (Here’s our video all about that switch.) Skip to autumn/ winter 2024 and the whole line reached full PFAS-compliance, meeting strict environmental safety standards ahead of regulatory requirements across the industry.
Innovation, as you can see, has always been the name of the game here. So, with that in mind, what’s new for 2026?
The 2026 Revamp: Updated Technologies and Materials
One of the biggest updates to the Microlight collection is the introduction of Pertex® Quantum with NetPlus® across the Microlight Alpine Hoody, the Microlight Jacket, the Microlight Vest and the Microlighter styles.
NetPlus®, in case you didn’t know, is a material made from 100% post-consumer recycled fishing nets. Often called “ghost nets,” these tough plastics can float around in our oceans for years, trapping marine life, breaking down into harmful microplastics and damaging important habitats like coral reefs and seagrass beds. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), up to 640,000 tonnes of fishing gear waste ends up in our oceans every year.
Bureo is the pioneering company behind Netplus. They work directly with coastal communities to collect these discarded fishing nets and recycle them into durable pellets. These pellets are then used by brands such as Rab, turning ocean waste into high-performance, eco-friendly materials that help close the loop on plastic pollution while supporting livelihoods.
So far, Rab has incorporated more than 363,000 metres of fabric made with NetPlus® into their AW26 products, repurposing over 22 tonnes of discarded fishing nets while maintaining the performance expected from technical mountain equipment.
The New and Improved Microlight Down Jackets
Versatility sits at the heart of Rab’s Microlight collection. Whether you’re hiking an alpine ridge, fighting your way through lowland bogs or simply taking your dog for a quick walk on a chilly winter’s morning; there’s a jacket for every occasion here.
Repairability is another core tenet of the range. Since its introduction in 2008, the Microlight has been designed to be used intensively, repaired when necessary, and, ultimately, worn season after season. The AW26 range follows suit and is designed to be easily repaired by the buyer, or brought back to life using Rab’s dedicated Repairs Service Centre.
Microlight Alpine
Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket
Price: £220
Weight: 375g (women’s alpine, UK size 10), 428g (men’s alpine, medium)
New/ updated: Updated
Best for: Hillwalking, hiking, climbing, backpacking, everyday use
Variations available: Hooded, non-hooded, vest
The redesigned Microlight Alpine Hoody remains the core all-rounder within the range, with updated materials and a fresh look for 2026. Combining 700FP 100% recycled hydrophobic down with lightweight Pertex® Quantum featuring NetPlus® yarns made from 100% recycled fishing nets, you get incredibly packable warmth here, all with a low environmental impact.
Expect body-mapped down baffles, with smaller nano baffles under your arms for mobility, and larger micro baffles on your back, shoulders and front for optimised warmth where you need it most. Other mountain-ready features include: an adjustable hood with a malleable, wired peak, one chest pocket, two zippered hand pockets, articulated sleeves, elasticated cuffs, a drawcord adjustable hem, and an insulated YKK zip baffle at the centre-front. The jacket packs down into one of the hand pockets with a loop for clipping to a backpack or climbing harness.
Read our full review of the last Rab Microlight Alpine Hoody.
Microlight Shield
Rab Microlight Shield Jacket
Price: £300
Weight: 626g (women’s UK size 10), 698g (men’s medium)
New/ updated: New
Best for: Cold and wet conditions
Variations available: One version
A newcomer to the collection, the first waterproof version of the Microlight down jacket combines a 2-layer Pertex® Shield waterproof outer (HH rating: 20,000mm) with 100% recycled 700FP down insulation, delivering both warmth and weather protection in a single garment. It’s essentially both a waterproof and a down jacket and is targeted towards use in cold and wet winter conditions.
Other useful features across the jacket include: zoned nano and micro baffling, an adjustable hood with an integrated peak, articulated sleeves, two hand pockets, a zippered chest pocket, elasticated cuffs, a drawcord adjustable hem and a YKK® VISLON® AquaGuard® front zip with an insulated zip baffle.
The Microlighter
Rab Microlighter Down Jacket
Price: £180 for hoodless, £200 for pullover hoody
Weight: 275g (women’s hooded, UK size 10), 303g (men’s hooded, medium)
New/ updated: New
Best for: Fastpacking, climbing, high-output outdoor activities
Variations available: Non-hooded and a hooded, pullover option
Rather than conventional loose down, the new Microlighter uses TXdown® sheet insulation made with recycled down and synthetic fibres. This continuous sheet insulation sits flatter against your body, offering easier layering and compression while preventing the down from moving around too much. This, in turn, helps eliminate cold spots inside your jacket. This construction is also highly breathable and works best an active insulation layer for activities such as fastpacking and climbing.
Finished with Pertex® Quantum with NetPlus®, the Microlighter is also highly wind-resistant without being bulky. Elsewhere across the jacket you’ll find a close-fitting hood with stretch binding, an insulated zip baffle, articulated sleeves, two hand pockets, and a drawcord adjustable hem. The jacket packs down into one of the hand pockets with a loop for clipping to a backpack or climbing harness.
Microlight X
Rab Microlight X Down Jacket
Price: £320
Weight: 390g (men’s medium), 341g (women’s UK size 10)
New/ updated: New and limited edition
Best for: Alpinism, climbing, technical and specialist pursuits
Designed for climbers and alpinists, the limited-edition Microlight X combines lightweight ripstop fabric with premium 800FP down, creating the most technically advanced Microlight yet for fast-moving and weight-conscious mountain objectives. It offers much of the same features and versatility as the Alpine jacket but in a warmer and more technically-suited package.
