Softshell Jackets

Rab Kinetic Plus Jacket | Review

The Kinetic Plus jacket from Rab is the perfect in-between layer for spring and summer

Summer in the mountains can be difficult to predict, especially when it comes to choosing what to wear. Will it be cold and rainy or scorching hot sunshine without a breath of wind? Inevitably you will have to pack for all eventualities, which is when travelling light can get tricky. Unless that is, you have something as versatile as the Rab Kinetic plus jacket in your bag.

British brand Rab have been producing high quality gear for climbers and mountaineers for nearly forty years. Based in Sheffield, founder Rab Carrington started making long-lasting, no nonsense gear in 1980, designed to withstand winter climbing in the mountains, whether it was scaling crags in Scotland or tackling 8,000m peaks in the Himalayas.

Rab have retained their founder’s ethos over the years. Today they create some of the best mountain clothing in the world, especially when it comes to technical gear for women. The women’s Kinetic Plus jacket is no exception.

“It’s the exceptional breathability that makes the Kinetic Plus jacket stand out from the rest.”

It’s a super lightweight breathable softshell jacket, designed for long days on the mountain in challenging, changeable weather conditions. Rab used their innovative Proflex fabric in this jacket which makes it extraordinarily flexible and stretchy, ideal for climbing or scrambling. You can reach for the next hold without worrying the armpit will tear.

Alongside being incredible stretchy, the Kinetic Plus is also highly waterproof. Hidden inside the jacket is a high performance membrane with a waterproof rating of 10,000mm, equal to some ski jackets. Watch the rain bead beautifully off the surface of this jacket while staying bone-dry inside.

However, it’s the exceptional breathability that makes the Kinetic Plus jacket stand out from the rest. You can build up a sweat and know that the inner lining will wick moisture away from your skin, reducing that post-sweat chill.

Today Rab create some of the best mountain clothing in the world, especially when it comes to technical gear for women. Photo: Chris Johnson.

The Kinetic Plus jacket packs down to a tiny size. Photo: Chris Johnson.

The Rab Kinetic Plus Jacket is a super lightweight breathable softshell jacket, designed for challenging, changeable weather condition. Photo: Chris Johnson.

Some of the best features include the full-length YKK Aquaguard Vislon zips on the front and the pockets, which are designed to keep the water out. The hood is close-fitted and stretches to hug your head with a stiffened peak, so it will stay put even when the wind starts to pick up.

The Kinetic Plus jacket is the perfect in-between layer for spring and summer – when it’s not quite cold enough for an insulated jacket, but you need a layer that protects you from the wind and rain. So even when the weather forecast is playing havoc with your plans, you can rest easy knowing you are well-prepared for anything Mother Nature throws at you.