Women Rab Womens Xenair Alpine Flex Insulated Jacket

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A solid choice for mixed conditions where regulating temperature matters, a put-on and leave-on layer. 

Rab says: 

Eliminate the need to stop and change layers as you close in on the summit, with this highly breathable and adaptable synthetic insulated jacket. It combines PrimaLoft® Gold Active+ insulation, which breathes and insulates through peaks and troughs of activity, with low-bulk Thermic™ stretch fleece side panels that offer superb mobility and make the jacket easy to layer. The breathable yet wind-resistant Pertex® Quantum Air fabric deflects windchill while responding to your output, keeping you comfortable on tough ascents in mixed conditions. The result is lightweight, packable active insulation you can wear as a warm layer or technical outer, from the dawn start to the summit push.

Our Verdict

Warm when you need it and breathable when you don’t, the Xenair Alpine Flex is built to withstand fast-moving mountain days.

At  315g (UK12), the Rab Xenair Alpine Flex is a carefully engineered piece of active insulation. It uses body-mapped PrimaLoft Gold Active+ in the core for warmth, with stretch fleece panels under the arms and sides to vent excess heat and facilitate movement. The result is a jacket that stays comfortable across a wide range of effort levels without constantly needing to layer up or down.

The fit is trim, ideal over a light base layer, though it might feel snug if you prefer thicker layers underneath. The outer Pertex Quantum Air strike a decent balance between breathability and wind protection, and the overall feel is supple and quiet. Two hand pockets are well placed, and one acts as a stuff sack with a harness loop.

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• Body mapped insulation with zoned areas of uninsulated panels to aid thermoregulation
• Lightweight YKK® VISLON® centre front zip with chin guard
• Precurved and articulated sleeves for improved fit and movement
• 2 YKK® concealed zipped hand pockets, one of which doubles as an integrated stuff sack with harness attachment loop
• Lightweight single sided rear hem adjustment with anti snag tether

Specifications

• UK 8 weighs: 259g
• UK 10 weighs: 270g
• UK 12 weighs: 291g
• UK 14 weighs: 301g
• UK 16 weighs: 313g
• Centre back length (Size 10): 64.5cm / 25.4in
• Fit: Slim

Material & Construction

• 20D Pertex® Quantum Air with fluorocarbon-free DWR (47gsm [2cfm])
• Thermic™ stretch fleece (215gsm) side panels
• 20D recycled nylon (40gsm [10cfm])
• 40gsm PrimaLoft® Gold Active+ insulation (55% recycled content) throughout
• Thermic™ stretch fleece (215gsm) side panels
• Outer: 100% Polyamide with Acrylic coating, Panels: 94% Polyester, 6% Elastane, Lining: 100% Polyamide (Recycled), Insulation 55% Polyester (Recycled), 45% Polyester

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