This jacket packs down to nearly nothing

What is the Rab Downpour Light Waterproof Jacket?

Here in Britain, we brace for rain all year round. If that sounds depressing, I like to remember the old adage I find increasingly true: there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.

This nifty little waterproof jacket from Rab is anything but bad. Weighing in at an astonishingly light 202g, it’ll keep you dry and you’ll barely even notice it’s on. While it’s not cheap, it’s comfortably mid-range, offering decent specifications for the price tag.

Plus, it’s comfy. The 2.5 layer design with textured backer isn’t plasticky to wear, and it’s packed out with thoughtful design, touches including Velcro adjustable wrists, a close-fitting hood and pack-compatible zipped hand pockets.

If you’re sick of black and grey colourways (hear hear!) you’re in luck. This jacket is no bore, coming in a range of charming, mood-boosting hues, from Watermelon to Red Grapefruit.

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Waterproofness is our most important credential. If it can’t pass that test, we’re not interested in the rest. We were looking for jackets that will keep us dry during unpredictable climes and downpours, which meant wearing them out in all weather – even testing them in the shower.

Next up, the jacket has to be comfortable to wear, otherwise you just won’t reach for it. We were on the hunt for styles that fit nicely over a base layer and could handle a bit of movement. We wanted the hood to fit well, without limiting peripheral vision, and were looking for cuffs, collars and chin guards that don’t dig in.

There’s nothing worse than ending a hike clammy from built up sweat that can’t escape, so breathability was our next concern. To test any claims, we walked briskly uphill and kept an eye on condensation and sweat build up.

Weight and packability were also key. We wanted a jacket that wouldn’t feel like a burden to wear and could pack down to nothing, so it can be worn and packed on a hike (without dominating rucksack real estate).

Finally, we wanted to know how well the jacket stands up to real world conditions over time. We paid attention to build quality, zip issues and how it handled a bit of rucksack wear or challenging terrain with light scrub.

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Score: 8/10