Rab Xenair Alpine Flex Jacket & Cirrus Flex Insulated Hooded Jacket Reviews

Rab Xenair Alpine Flex Jacket $200 (accessible April 2025)

354g/12.5oz (dimension M)

Sizes S-XXL

Description:  The NEW Xenair Alpine Flex Jacket is a light-weight, packable lively insulated jacket that has fleece aspect panels for additional breathability and mobility. The Xenair Alpine Flex is an adaptable layer that may be worn alone as an outer layer or as a technical mid layer. It does a fantastic job regulating your physique temperature, be it excessive output working in chilly temps, simple jogs, snowshoeing, snowboarding  and  even has sufficient versatility and magnificence for informal each day use.

Particulars/Options:

20D Pertex® Quantum Air with fluorocarbon-free DWR 

Thermic™ stretch fleece aspect panels

20D recycled nylon

40gsm PrimaLoft® Gold Lively+ insulation (55% recycled content material) all through

Physique-mapped insulation with zoned areas of uninsulated panels to help thermoregulation

Light-weight YKK® VISLON® heart entrance zip with chin guard

Pre-curved and articulated sleeves for improved match and motion

2 YKK® zippered hand pockets, certainly one of which doubles as an built-in stuff sack with harness attachment loop

Light-weight single-sided rear hem adjustment with anti-snag tether

Outer: 100% Polyamide with Acrylic coating, Panels: 94% Polyester, 6% Elastane, Lining: 100% Polyamide (Recycled), Insulation 55% Polyester (Recycled), 45% Polyester

Match: Slim

Within the  pictures above and beneath, you’ll be able to see the Pertex/Primaloft important panels overlaying the entrance, again, shoulders/hood/prime of arms and the Thermic stretch fleece on the perimeters and underarms, which presents welcome breathability in addition to some stretch to help in mobility.

There’s a handy waist cinch to maintain the hem from driving up and to maintain out snow/drafts when wanted.

The left hand pocket doubles as an built-in storage pocket.

The jacket stuffs into the pocket very simply, making for a pleasant compact option to carry it on the go, prepared to make use of at anytime.  Some stuff pockets could be very tough as they’re too small and even not possible to zip, however this isn’t the case right here and the convenience/comfort encourages one to really make the most of this characteristic.

The wrist cuffs are easy, comfy and provides my wrists good protection, with none unfastened materials or extra.  They keep put and even match high-quality over massive GPS watches.

The hood doesn’t have an adjustable cinch wire, however has sufficient elasticity to comfortable as much as maintain it in place when it’s windy and I really feel comfortable with it up.

Measurement/Match:  Match is described as slim, which I’d agree with.  I put on a dimension medium nearly all the time (I’m 5’9”/145 lbs) and a medium right here is ideal.  Regardless of being slim match, it isn’t in any respect comfortable or constricting with no additional bulk that might be liable to bunching and has simply sufficient room beneath for an extended sleeve base layer.  When you really feel such as you may wish to layer beneath past a base layer, then think about sizing up.

Efficiency/Conclusions:  

The Xenair is very technical and tremendous versatile.  I’ve been sporting it for a variety of actions from path working, mountaineering, XC snowboarding, snowshoeing and in addition very often for informal put on.  

I’ve run, skied and snowshoed in temps down into the low 20’s with only a merino lengthy sleeve base layer, the place I discover it to be very effectively insulated with the Primaloft Gold+ insulation all through many of the jacket offering ample heat. 

 It has simply sufficient air flow/breathability using the Thermic stretch aspect panels that proceed alongside beneath the arms to forestall overheating when pushing laborious.  If the wind picks up in decrease temps, or is  mixed with heavy snow, I’ll add a shell to maintain out the wind and moisture, however in mild wind and lightweight snow, safety is ample.  

Even when going laborious, I don’t sweat as shortly as different hooded mid layers as a result of Thermic panels and it dries shortly.  

When damp with sweat, the Xenair does a fantastic job retaining warmth with out feeling clammy (supplied you’re nonetheless shifting and producing warmth).  

It’s considerably stripped down and no frills, with no hood cinch or Napoleon pocket  (however does have a waist cinch), so it is vitally light-weight, but offers a shocking heat to weight ratio and packs compactly and tidy into the stuff pocket.  

After a couple of months of rigorous testing, sturdiness appears to be superb with no indicators of damage. 

 I’d extremely suggest the Xenair to anybody in search of a flexible layering piece that may carry out in a variety of temperatures and situations, be it within the winter, spring, fall and even to pack alongside for summertime excessive mountain adventures.

By Jeff Valliere and Allison Valliere

Rab Cirrus Flex Insulated Hooded Jacket ($185, accessible now)

446g/15.7oz (dimension M)

Description:  Light-weight and packable, the Cirrus Flex Hoodie is a wonderful yr spherical artificial insulation choice, versatile sufficient to convey alongside for any mountain journey.  That includes excessive lofting PrimaLoft Silver Rise insulation, the Cirrus Flex strikes an excellent stability between a cumbersome puffer and a minimal mid layer, with loads of insulation for chilly days, but is breathable with Thermic stretch fleece aspect panels for breathability, much less bulk and mobility.  

Particulars/Options:

The Cirrus Flex options bigger baffles to permit the Primaloft Silver Rise to develop extra and thus retain extra warmth.  

The Pertex outer lining is skinny, however with a ripstop design appears sturdy and is pliable for a simple shifting really feel and freedom of motion.

The collar has a fleece lining that’s good and smooth, making the Cirrus Flex really feel additional cozy.

The hem has a cinch wire to maintain out snow and drafts.

There may be additionally an built-in stuff pocket.  Stuffing the jacket into the pocket is just not tremendous simple (would do it on the home or automobile, however most likely not mess with it within the discipline).

Additional enhancing the liberty of motion really feel, are the stretch Thermic fleece aspect panels that assist reduce the cumbersome feeling and permit for simply the correct quantity of breathability.

The hood doesn’t have a cinch, however has elastic stretch sides that comfortable up appropriately.  Even whether it is windy, there isn’t any flapping.

Measurement/Match:  

Jeff:  Match is described as slim, which I’d agree with.  I put on a dimension medium nearly all the time (I’m 5’9”/145 lbs) and a medium right here is ideal with the Cirrus Flex Hoodie.  

Regardless of being slim match, it isn’t in any respect comfortable or constricting, and has  no additional bulk that might be liable to bunching and has simply sufficient room beneath for an extended sleeve base layer.  When you really feel such as you may wish to layer beneath past a base layer, then think about sizing up.  The minimize of the Cirrus Flex has a flattering taper to it.

Allison:  I put on a dimension small jacket/prime nearly all the time (if not small, then XS) and the  dimension small within the Cirrus Flex suits me completely (5’6”/115lbs).  As Jeff describes, the match is slim, however is just not comfortable or constricting and I’ve ample room for an extended sleeve base layer and even an additional skinny zip up layer beneath with out feeling tight.  The hood is comfortable over my head and isn’t in any respect prone to flapping within the wind.  The arms are the right size and the size of the jacket is lengthy sufficient to offer a little bit of prolonged protection with no threat of driving up (the interior waist cinch helps with this as effectively).

Our daughter Isabelle modeling the jacket in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park

Efficiency/Conclusions:

Jeff:  I’ve used the Cirrus Flex Hoodie for path working in temps within the single digits and teenagers the place it supplied ample heat with none overheating, a lot partially as a result of Thermic fleece aspect panels that permit for good breathability. 

 I’ve additionally used it for mountaineering, snowshoeing, xc snowboarding and snowshoeing, the place it has carried out particularly effectively, with the Primaloft Silver Rise insulation offering wonderful heat, contributing enormously to the heat to weight ratio.  

I actually respect the match of this jacket, slim, however not comfortable, with a tapered form for a streamlined look, articulated arms and the stretch aspect panels provide an elevated stage of mobility.  It has all that I would like in a lighter weight, packable mid layer to maintain me comfy in all however essentially the most excessive winter situations.  It additionally doubles very effectively as a each day jacket for informal use, particularly given  the nice match and magnificence.  I’d extremely suggest the Cirrus Flex Hoodie for anybody in search of a heat, but breathable, versatile artificial fill midlayer for all seasons.

Allison:  I’ll say that I’m a bit a fan of Rab, having bought a wide range of their merchandise over the previous yr and was longing for the chance to assessment the Cirrus Flex Hoodie.  Rab is prime of the road and, in my view, the premier out of doors clothes firm by a large margin.  The standard, match, type and utility of their merchandise are second to none. You get what you pay for and actually, the costs are actually in keeping with their opponents.  

The Cirrus Flex Hoodie is not any exception and offers most efficiency and flexibility for a variety of mountain actions.  I respect the heat that it offers, whereas additionally having sufficient breathability to not overheat when working or mountaineering up steep climbs, at the least when the temperature is within the 30 or beneath, in any other case it will possibly really feel a little bit toasty when the temps climb into the 40’s.  The outer shell deflects mild to average snow effectively.  I like the hood, how effectively it suits over my head and is safe, regardless of not having a draw wire.  The smooth fleece lined collar can also be very cozy and provides to the consolation and general enchantment.  

Rab actually will get it proper right here, with the Cirrus Flex Hoodie being such a flexible staple in my out of doors gear quiver and I plan to make use of it in all seasons.  To not point out, the match and general type elicits many compliments!

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The Rab Cirrus Flex Jacket for males and womenis accessible now 

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some colours 40% off

The Xenair is coming April 2025

Tester Profiles

Allison Valliere is a fifth era Coloradan who’s passionate in regards to the outside and has been mountaineering, backpacking, snowboarding, snowshoeing and working within the mountains since she was younger.  She has accomplished all however 5 of the Colorado 14ers (a dozen or so in winter), has many tons of of yr spherical ascents of 14ers, 13ers and different peaks in Colorado and the West.  Allison has additionally traveled the world and trekked to over 18,000 toes within the Himalayas, to excessive altitudes in Ecuador and has labored for the Nationwide Park Service mapping vegetation within the Sierra Nevada mountains of California .  Her nearly each day routine entails runs/energy hikes within the foothills above Boulder, or 4-5 mile flatter runs at 8-10 minute mile tempo if schedule necessitates.  However what actually retains her on her toes is working as a nurse and caring for her 12 yr outdated twin daughters who’re additionally rising to share her love for the outside.