Long gone are the days when technical outdoor clothing was made primarily for men. Those times when us women had to make do with oversized men’s waterproofs or dad’s old down jacket, duct taped at the elbows. Rab is one of the major British outdoor brands making some of the best gear for women. They ensure that every item is both technical and high-quality for adventurous mountain use.

Rab’s Alpha Direct women’s jacket is a favourite among many female climbers, hikers and cyclists. It’s a lightweight jacket covered with a windproof and water-resistant coating, so you can wear it as a mid-layer or outer-layer.

Versatility is key when it comes to buying an outdoor jacket that you’ll keep for years. You can wear the Alpha Direct while belaying on a mizzly day in April, camping in August or even just cycling to work. Externally, the Alpha Direct is made with a Pertex Microlight fabric, designed to be durable and protect you from the wind and rain.

“A lightweight jacket covered with a windproof and water-resistant coating, you can wear this as a mid-layer or outer-layer.”

Inside, you will find the jacket lined with soft Polartec Alpha fleece. It is designed to be worn next to the skin, so you can wear a light thermal or vest underneath. The Polartec Alpha insulation also allows moisture vapour to pass through easily, making it breathable and quick-drying. So if this jacket gets wet, you won’t feel like you are wearing a soggy sponge. It is highly compressible, so it packs down small and is easy to stuff into a bag when you’re not wearing it.

There are a number of well-thought out features that make the Alpha Direct Jacket stand out. The hand pockets are roomy and the chest pocket is perfectly sized to fit your smartphone. The thumb loops are great for cold days and the hood sits nicely under a helmet, so you can keep your head warm and dry on the move. This jacket is slim fit, ideal when you don’t want an outer layer that’s too big and bulky.