Rab Xenon X Jacket – Performance

We’ve still got one of the original – even lighter – Rab Xenon jacket’s going strong and it’s become our standard ‘just in case’ UK insulation stand-by used for everything from lunchtime walking stops through to winter mountain biking emergency overlayering.

The good news is that the Xexon X is very much a chip off the old block. It packs down into the inside pocket to form a neat, medium-sized bundle and while it’s not as warm as an equivalent weight down jacket, it makes up for it in general indifference to dampness and knock-about resilience.

‘Just Warm Enough’

Think ‘just warm enough’ and you won’t go far wrong. Just warm enough for winter stops, for sat in the caff post-outing coffee and cake, for evenings in a chilly tent or bunkhouse when you’re man-hauling your own kit. Or, when things get properly, sub-zero cold, just warm enough to use on the move. Bear in mind that it’s windproof too, which adds warmth.

For context, it’s nowhere near as effective for active use as Rab’s own Alpha Direct Jacket, but we’d say it’s slightly more comfortable for sub-zero hammer than its predecessors thanks to that more air-permeable liner.

Otherwise its business as usual. Two hand-warmer pockets, an adjustable hem, a fit that’s neither too loose or too tight – we wore it over a technical soft shell several times without problems – and a handy, close-fitting hood which sits neatly under a climbing helmet.

Our one slight quibble is that our test jacket was slightly tight under the arm-pits. Admittedly we’re wide in the shoulder, but we’ve asked Rab to check whether our sample was a pre-production jacket and, in the mean time, we’d suggest you try before buying.

Rab Xenon X Jacket – Verdict

A classic UK-friendly, soft and silky, stash and forget insulated top that’s light and packable enough not to be a burden, but deceptively protective when you do need it. We’ve used the Xenon X and its predecessors for everything from walking to winter mountain biking and it’s a stand-by in our winter pack.

Where the new version scores bonus points is by being a little more comfortable if you do decide to wear it on the go, but it’s still not ideal if you run remotely warm. Overall though, a deceptively warm, weather-resistant, damp-friendly, synthetic insulation option.

More Information

See rab.equipment