Why Is the Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket Popular Among Hikers?

For years I was behind the trend of warm-down jackets, until I met the Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket which flipped my opinion. While North Face has made big puffy Down Jackets fashionable, what I needed for mountain adventures and trekking was a warm, lightweight and comfortable Down Jacket for cold weather challenges. My research led me to the popular Rab and now I understand why it has gained such popularity among hikers, climbers and backpackers. This Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket Review will explain the top strengths and any considerations before buying this amazing Jacket.

Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket: Introduction

Rab’s Bestseller

There are many types of Down Jackets on the market with the first thing to understand is the fill. Synthetic down is cheaper and not as warm whereas natural down (i.e feathers) is warmer but pricier. Then the scale of down called the Down Fill Power measures the loftiness of the insulation. Typically the Down Fill ranges from 400 to 900, with higher numbers indicating better quality and insulation. The 700-fill in the Microlight offers a great balance of weight to warmth ratio and being affordable for a fully featured mountain down jacket.

The Rab Microlight Alpine is an all-rounder that is versatile for all-mountain activities. The Microlight Alpine is a low-profile jacket that is easy to layer or store thanks to the micro baffles used. The body and shoulders have Micro baffles for better insulation and Nano baffles under the arm improve breathability. The Recycled 700FP Fill Down with a Nikwax Hydrophobic finish insulation combined with the DWR coated Pertex Quatum outer protects against the weather excellently. Overall, the Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket has high warmth-to-weigth ratio and packability making it an excellent choice for outdoor enthusiasts wanting reliable performance.

Jacket Construction

• Outer: Pertex® Quantum is a soft, lightweight, windproof fabric designed for full loft and packability
• Insulation: Recycled 700FP Down with Nikwax Hydrophobic Finish
• Internally elasticated cuffs and drawcord adjustable hem for a customisable fit
• Stuff pack and high compressible design for maximum packability
• Down-filled hood for added warmth and cosiness
• 2 side zips and a chest zip for accessible storage and hand warming lining

My Testing

I brought the Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket before travelling to Nepal to tackle the Annapurna Circuit. Now it is 4 years old and joined me on mountain adventures in the Himalayas, Alps, Canada and Patagonia. And I can safely say, that it has reliably kept me warm and comfortable down to -25-degree conditions. The small stuff sack is very compressible to maximise packing space when trekking. Rab offers a range of colours to fit your taste and I love my Beluga Blue version. This jacket has withstood the cold mountain weather thrown at it. For sustainability, the Rab Microlight Alpine uses 91% recycled content with all the fabrics and down fill being 100% recycled for the environmentally conscious.

The hood is adjustable and is compatible with a helmet which is ideal for climbers or Alpinists. I found very useful in Patagonia when zip-lining across a valley. The versatility to layer this jacket is what makes it such a great all-rounder. I can easily put my Arc’Teryx Proton LT Hoody underneath for extra warmth without feeling too constricted. Or if the rain starts, then I have no issues layers my Arc’teryx Beta AR Waterproof Jacket over the Rab. The soft fleece lined chin protector feels luxurious when hiking on the trail. And the hood has a small lip to protect your face from snow or precipitation. The lining of the Microlight has a soft texture against the skin and very comfortable for all day use. The Jacket being reviewed is size small and despite Rab’s Regular sizing, I feel it’s more slim fit.

Tip: Rab offers repair services which helped fix a tear and loss of filling on a Baffle

Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket:
Selling Points

Warmth

• Despite being lightweight, the 700FP Fill insulates very effectively and is a warm Down Jacket. The price means you’re getting premium insulation that is very reliable in freezing cold winter conditions. The thermal performance is maximised by using Micro-baffles on the core chest and arm areas and then Nano baffles where breathability is required.
• Plus with the added Nikiwax hydrophic finish and DWR coating, it will perform better than most down jackets in the wet! The Pertex Quantum outer is designed for high windproofing which adds to the overall warmth.

Style

• One of my favourite points is the overall look of the Microlight Alpine. The fit is an alpine tapered cut in my opinion despite Rab saying its a regular fit. And the Jacket has a regular length body and arms as well. The Micro-baffles are slimming compared to bigger thicker baffles. I use the jacket for casual wearing around town or to work as well as on mountain adventures.

Lightweight

• The warmth-to-weight ratio of this jacket is one of its strongest assets. While there are lighter and more compact jackets available, they lack warm insulation. And the heavier bulkier jackets aren’t as suitable for backpacking, trekking or hiking due to it’s size and restricted movement. The Rab balances this better than the rest with the choice of 700FP insulation.

Comfort

• My favourite feature is the all-day comfort of the Jacket. It has a tapered alpine fit which gives me the confidence to wear it up mountains or around town. It has great flexibility and range of motion for basic climbing or scrambling and will keep you toasty when stationary such as belaying. The inner lining feels soft next to bare skin and does not stick when slightly sweaty.

Weather Resistance

• The recycled 700-fill Down has a Nikwax hydrophobic finish to help keep you dry and insulated. And combined with a Pertex Quantum outer shell and with a robust DWR treatment, this Jacket is impressive against the wet and doesn’t lose it’s loft even when damp. From experience, other cheaper down jackets (such as my Trespass) lose their warmth when the rain starts.

Durability

• The outer shell is made of 30D nylon Pertex Quatum ripstop will help with snags and tears. I have torn mine and lost some down-fill which has made it lighter but lost some loftiness. The Rab warranty meant I could get it repaired cheaply by their experts in a few weeks.

Value

• £210 is inexpensive for a hydrophobic-down jacket that has awesome weather resistance and comfort. In comparison to the Patagonia Men’s Down Sweater™ (£280), Arc’teryx Cerium (£350) and North Face Breithorn Down Jacket (£310), the Rab is value for money. It is affordable for a brand such as Rab and given the amount of features present.

Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket:
Worth Knowing

Packability

• The 700FP Down as mentioned has a great balance of weight, warmth and cost however if packing size is a priority then an 800FP Jacket will compress even smaller. This becomes important when trekking or mountaineering and every gram counts but it will impact your wallet for better insulation. The packed-down version (see the yellow stuff sack in the image above) is 150 x 220 mm and can mould further around other equipment in a backpack.

Wet Weather vs Synthetic

• The Microlight is designed to perform well in light precipitation thanks to its innovative finishes. The hydrophobic down is better than regular down, it underperforms compared to synthetic nylon insulation over longer periods. But these synthetic jackets are less packable.

Slim Fit

• from my research, the slim fit alpine cut is not for everyone especially people with broader shoulders. And this will also limit the layering options so it’s best to try the jacket on before purchasing and consider buying a size up to layer well.

Internal Pockets

• One feature that would be useful is an internal zip pocket.

Kit Rankings

Best For

• Cold-weather hiking, backpacking, trekking and mountaineering
• Alpine climbing or belaying in cool conditions
• Travelers looking for a packable, warm jacket for winter months

Final Thoughts

The Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket excels in providing lightweight warmth and comfort for serious outdoor enthusiasts. While it’s not the best for prolonged wet conditions, its performance in cold and dry settings makes it a reliable choice for mountain adventures and beyond. The Microlight Alpine offers great weather protection, high warmth to weight ratio and incredible comfort at an attractive price-tag. Along with plenty of other features which makes this Down Jacket versatile for all types of mountain adventures. This jacket excells in alpine conditions when on the trail or whether casually around town, it truly is an affordable all-rounder that won’t let you down!

What Down Jacket would you recommend trying? Please share this post with outdoor lovers who are looking for a warm and affordable Down Jacket and stay tuned for more kit reviews coming up!