The first thing I noticed about the Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 waterproof jacket was how soft and comfortable the fabric feels, both on the inside and outside. It’s also extremely stretchy, which leads to superb freedom of movement for activities such as running, climbing, or scrambling. Stretchy knitted fabric is combined with panels of stretchy woven fabric in high-wear areas (hip, arm, shoulders, hood). Both types include a wicking inner face fabric and a waterproof/breathable membrane.
Alex Roddie Recommends
Overall, this is a great jacket for lightweight mountaineering in all but the harshest conditions – but long-term durability could be a concern.- Very comfortable
- Excellent fit
- Good hood
- Very breathable
- Durability
- not as waterproof or lightweight as other jackets tested
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: £260 Weight: 409g (M) Materials: recycled polyester knit face 3L with PU membrane and polyester backer, stretch polyamide woven Proflex Hood: helmet-compatible, stiffened peak, rear and side adjustments Front Closure: water-resistant zip with internal storm flap Underarm/Side Zips: none Pockets: 2x external, 1x internal Hem: adjustable drawcord Cuffs: Velcro Sizes: men S-2XL, women 8-16 Women’s/Men’s version: men’s (women’s direct equivalent available) rab.equipment |
One downside to the Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 is that durability in the knitted panels is not as good, and I’ve already noticed light pilling near the chest, where my camera strap rubs against it. Another downside is that, while highly breathable, waterproofness is not as high as the likes of Gore-Tex Active. It works fine in modest rain, but in a prolonged downpour you’ll notice it begin to wet out.
Partly thanks to the high-stretch fabric, fit is spot on – trim, but with room for a midlayer. The hood is highly protective, and the pockets are both massive and hipbelt-friendly.
The Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 is made from 29% recycled material, and there’s lots of info available from Rab thanks to their Material Facts programme. Overall, this is a great jacket for lightweight mountaineering in all but the harshest conditions – but long-term durability could be a concern.
Tested and reviewed by Alex Roddie
Alex tested this jackets on a series of day hikes and overnight backpacking trips in the Cairngorms and West Highlands. All weights are as measured on Alex’s digital scale (men’s Medium).
