Facts & Figures:
Weight: 160g
Fabrics: Hyperlite
Features: Twin pockets and internal pocket, elasticated hood with rear draw cord adjustment, full zip, elasticated draw cord hem and cuffs
Durability: The fabric is thin but tough and has endured the last couple of years without a mark
Acquired: Early Spring 2019
Fit
At 183cm and 75kg the medium is a nice fit on me, with space for layering a fleece or thin insulation piece underneath. The fit is regular as opposed to tight. Like most Rab gear, the arms are very generous and the half-elasticated cuffs work pretty well to keep them snug onto the wrist, even at full overhead extension. The hem is a decent length and has a slight dropped tail so it keeps your back a little warmer and protects you when you bend over.
The full zip naturally allows for decent ventilation, and there is a snap-button closure to stop the jacket flapping around too much while it is open (though I rarely use this as my pack sternum and hip straps normally hold everything in place.
The two regular pockets are spacious and can be accessed at the top even while wearing a hip belt which is great. The small internal pocket is not that practical, but the whole jacket folds down into it as an integrated stuffsack which is handy.
As the material is so thin and light you don't really want to put anything too heavy in the pockets - anything heavier than a phone can cause that part of the jacket to bounce around irritatingly.
In Use
Having gotten so much use out of my Rab Boreas (review here) I was looking forward to seeing where the Vital would fit into my layering system.
It runs warmer than the Boreas, as it is less breathable and lets less wind through. I thought this would mean I'd pack it less, but in reality although I wear it less while hiking in the heat of summer, I still carried it for rest stops and warming up on summits / after swims etc.
During the shoulder seasons I found that the full zip venting meant that I could wear it pretty much all day long (despite the fact that I run very hot all of the time).
Conclusions
Simply - this has become my most packed layer. For adding a bit of warmth all year round, to keeping off a shower or two (as a "just in case" waterproof), layering under or over insulation to keep the wind off and trap that bit of extra body heat. It's incredibly versatile and fits well with of my other layering systems for all seasons.
TL, DR:
Pros:
- Extremely Light and very packable
- Adds a decent amount of warmth for it's weight, just by keeping the wind off
- Hood is well designed and with good adjustment (for the weight)
- Draw cord hem good (for the weight)
- Partially elasticated cuffs good (for the weight)
- Will hold off a light to medium shower, DWR seems moderately durable so far
- Very good price, can be found for around £40 with a bit of shopping around
- Comes in a nice range of colours
Cons:
- Breathability is not great (though it is adequate)
- Not the lightest wind shell, but at 160g with all it's features it's still a great weight
- Cuffs could have used that awesome material like in the Arcteryx jackets, but that would mean paying Arcteryx prices (and this is really splitting hairs, the cuffs on the Vital Windshell are fine)
- Nothing else really, it's great!
Recommended Kit?
Windshells are fantastically useful, and the Rab Vital Windshell Hoody is the best compromise of price/weight and features that I've used so far (less than half the price of the Patagonia Houdini Hoody or Arc'teryx Squamish Hoody). I would absolutely recommend that anyone on the shelf gives it a shot.
Notes:
Weight: 160g
Fabrics: Hyperlite
Features: Twin pockets and internal pocket, elasticated hood with rear draw cord adjustment, full zip, elasticated draw cord hem and cuffs
Durability: The fabric is thin but tough and has endured the last couple of years without a mark
Acquired: Early Spring 2019
 |
| (Warming up, post-swimming in Dorset) |
I've been using the RAB Vital Windshell Hoody since spring this year (2019) and am really appreciating it so far. It has not actually replaced my Boreas hoody as it gets used differently, but it gets does end up in my pack more often than almost any other bit of clothing.
At 183cm and 75kg the medium is a nice fit on me, with space for layering a fleece or thin insulation piece underneath. The fit is regular as opposed to tight. Like most Rab gear, the arms are very generous and the half-elasticated cuffs work pretty well to keep them snug onto the wrist, even at full overhead extension. The hem is a decent length and has a slight dropped tail so it keeps your back a little warmer and protects you when you bend over.
The full zip naturally allows for decent ventilation, and there is a snap-button closure to stop the jacket flapping around too much while it is open (though I rarely use this as my pack sternum and hip straps normally hold everything in place.
 |
| (From Rab's Site - Chest snap button closure for venting) |
As the material is so thin and light you don't really want to put anything too heavy in the pockets - anything heavier than a phone can cause that part of the jacket to bounce around irritatingly.
In Use
Having gotten so much use out of my Rab Boreas (review here) I was looking forward to seeing where the Vital would fit into my layering system.
It runs warmer than the Boreas, as it is less breathable and lets less wind through. I thought this would mean I'd pack it less, but in reality although I wear it less while hiking in the heat of summer, I still carried it for rest stops and warming up on summits / after swims etc.
During the shoulder seasons I found that the full zip venting meant that I could wear it pretty much all day long (despite the fact that I run very hot all of the time).
It's a fair chunk lighter than the Boreas (at 160g for the medium) and packs down well so I have no qualms about chucking it in my bag every time I leave the house.
 |
| (From Rab's site - Hood with secondary elasticated section under the brim ) |
It's proven to be pretty shower resistant so far, and though I don't expect the DWR to last a particularly long time (as it gets a lot of time rolling around getting abraded in my pack, or ground against my shoulders and backpack) I haven't noticed any significant degradation in the last few months of use.
The hood is an interesting design that might not appeal to some as some find that the secondary elasticated section underneath the wired peak can look a little goofy, but I personally appreciate the snug fit and the way it keeps the wind off my forehead (as i only ever use the hood when it is chilly).
The brim is small and not enough to keep the rain off your face or glasses by itself, so you'll still need a baseball cap or visor for properrain protection (getting rain on my glasses drives me crazy!), but it's better than nothing.
Simply - this has become my most packed layer. For adding a bit of warmth all year round, to keeping off a shower or two (as a "just in case" waterproof), layering under or over insulation to keep the wind off and trap that bit of extra body heat. It's incredibly versatile and fits well with of my other layering systems for all seasons.
TL, DR:
Pros:
- Extremely Light and very packable
- Adds a decent amount of warmth for it's weight, just by keeping the wind off
- Hood is well designed and with good adjustment (for the weight)
- Draw cord hem good (for the weight)
- Partially elasticated cuffs good (for the weight)
- Will hold off a light to medium shower, DWR seems moderately durable so far
- Very good price, can be found for around £40 with a bit of shopping around
- Comes in a nice range of colours
Cons:
- Breathability is not great (though it is adequate)
- Not the lightest wind shell, but at 160g with all it's features it's still a great weight
- Cuffs could have used that awesome material like in the Arcteryx jackets, but that would mean paying Arcteryx prices (and this is really splitting hairs, the cuffs on the Vital Windshell are fine)
- Nothing else really, it's great!
Recommended Kit?
Windshells are fantastically useful, and the Rab Vital Windshell Hoody is the best compromise of price/weight and features that I've used so far (less than half the price of the Patagonia Houdini Hoody or Arc'teryx Squamish Hoody). I would absolutely recommend that anyone on the shelf gives it a shot.
Notes:
 |
| (Cuff details showing the half-elasticated cuff on the underside and the regular cuff on the top) |
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