This Rab Mantra Jacket review focuses on the features and advantages of this lightweight down jacket. It features the same technology as its sister jackets but with minor differences. The black exterior and pink interior are more of a design feature than a functional one, but the bright pink lining in the interior will make you forget that it’s even there. There’s also a zippered interior lapel pocket that can hold most smartphones. The branding is minimal: the only branding is the Black Brand logo and the BB initials on the shoulder straps.
Rab’s Microlight Alpine Down Jacket
If you’re looking for a down jacket that is lightweight, packable, and highly insulating, look no further than Rab’s Microlight Alpine Down Jacket. This jacket is a classic lightweight down jacket that’s been given a new, modern design aesthetic and recycled construction. As a result, the Microlight Alpine Jacket is the go-to system for rapid warmth when temperatures drop. It is also extremely comfortable and warm.
The microlight version of the Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket is an ideal lightweight down jacket for any season or activity. This jacket uses down responsibly sourced from EU manufacturers and has the Responsible Down Standard. It is also water- and odor-resistant and is made from 30-denier Pertex shell material. The Rab Microlight Alpine is an excellent choice for cold weather pursuits, whether they are in the mountains or on the city streets.
Another advantage of the Microlight is that it is made with P.U.R.E down, which is sustainable and renewable. This down has a CUIN value of 700, which is almost the highest level possible for recycled down. The downside is that manufacturers cannot tell where the down comes from. Some down is sourced from foie gras, life-plucked, or force-fed animals. Recycling down makes it easier to use less and avoid landfilling.
The Rab Microlight Alpine is the lightest packable down jacket I’ve worn and is one of the warmest. While it isn’t super light, it’s incredibly warm and also remarkably lightweight, making it a versatile option for different outdoor adventures. It packs up easily into its stuff sack and is compact enough to fit in a small backpack or road trip duffel.
This jacket is made with Pertex Quantum, a lightweight, windproof fabric. It’s also made with recycled 20D nylon, which keeps out the elements while keeping it breathable. The micro-stitched-down baffles in the Microlight Alpine Down Jacket allow the down to keep its loft without clumping. The fabric is also PFC-free. If you’re concerned about the down leaking, this jacket isn’t for you.
Patagonia’s Down Sweater
You’ll love Patagonia’s Down Sweater if you’re a lover of down-filled clothing. Made with 800-fill-power traceable down, it’s windproof and lightweight, making it perfect for chilly winter days in the mountains. And it’s even water-resistant. Plus, you’ll stay warm and dry even if the weather turns sour.
The Down Sweater features a ripstop polyester shell that is treated with a Durable Water Repellent coating to keep it dry. This means that it won’t get wet but shed a small amount of water, making it perfect for light rain or mists. It’s designed to be layered and will provide ample warmth and coverage. It is also windproof so that you won’t need a waterproof shell underneath it.
The Down Sweater weighs just under 13 ounces in size medium, which puts it right in the middle of the down sweater category. It’s a little bulkier than the ultralight jackets made by REI and Cotopaxi but still feels quite cozy. Patagonia’s down sweater is extremely warm and comfortable, so it’s easy to layer it with a fleece or hoodie.
The Patagonia Down Sweater is ideal for cooler climates and rough outdoor activities. It won’t be as warm as a Nano Puff, but it will keep you comfortable even in the coldest climates. It’s also windproof and works as an outer shell, making it the perfect resort skiing mid-layer. Many features make the Patagonia Down Sweater a versatile option.
This lightweight down jacket is warmer than its Nano Puff cousin. It is made of 800-fill Traceable Down goose feathers, making it a better choice in colder temperatures. It also has a more athletic fit, perfect for a day on the mountain or chilly desert night. Patagonia’s Down Sweater is great for any season. Just be sure to check the weather before deciding which jacket to buy!
Black Brand’s Platinum Series
The Black Brand Mantra is a lightweight mountaineering jacket with a stretchable nylon exterior for added comfort. Its water-repellent fabric and zippered rear panel allow for a customized fit, but the front pockets are limited in capacity. This jacket is made of sheepskin, which is much more abrasion resistant than bovine leather. Its two YKK AquaGuard Vislon zipped A-Line chest pockets, and a zip pocket on the inside of the jacket allow for all-day comfort.
The Black Brand Mantra jacket is made from top-grain sheepskin and is decorated with intricate embroidery. It also features leather-tabbed YKK zippers, shoulder straps, and a range of metal studs. Despite its high price tag, Black Brand’s research shows that many female riders purchase expensive fashion leather jackets, so the Mantra is made to provide style and protection.
It features soft fleece on the interior to prevent chafing, and elastic in the cuffs keep out drafts. It has a gigantic chest pocket, and zippered handwarmer pockets remain accessible even with the harness. One thing I would improve is a two-way zipper in the hem. Overall, the Black Brand Platinum Series Rab Mantra Jacket is a great choice for any mountaineer’s wardrobe.
Rab’s Neutrino Pro
A favorite of mountaineers and other hikers for over 20 years, the Women’s Neutrino Pro Jacket is back in 2019 with new updates, including recycled materials and a more aerodynamic design. The down filling is certified 800-FP RDS goose down, making it extremely insulating in freezing temperatures. It’s the perfect jacket for cold weather excursions. In this review, we’ll explore some of the features of this jacket, including its price.
The Neutrino Pro features 800-fill goose down and Pertex Quantum Pro shell fabric. But it’s lightweight and packable. That means you won’t have to sacrifice warmth or useful features for its lightweight, small size. The Neutrino Pro is also suitable for the coldest weather, including snow. However, it does lack in durability. The jacket’s price tag is a little high compared to its competitors.
The weight of the Rab Neutrino Pro is not the lightest down jacket on the market, which will appeal to cutting-edge alpinists. The two lightest jackets by Rab use the same amount of down but are much thinner and packable. The Infinity G is also quilted and is more lightweight, so you may find it easier to pack away. Rab’s Neutrino Pro jacket review will help you decide whether or not this is the right jacket for you.
The lightweight Pertex Quantum Pro fabric used in the Neutrino Pro is highly breathable. It also protects against light rain and windblown snow. However, this jacket isn’t waterproof, so you should wear a shell under it when the weather gets bad. In addition, the jacket’s zippers feel burly and occasionally catch in the teeth. The velcro wrist straps wear out after repeated use, but the overall durability is decent.
For backcountry adventures, the lightweight Rab Neutrino Pro is an excellent choice. At $259, the REI Co-op Stormhenge Down Hybrid is a good value, but it’s slightly heavier than the Neutrino Pro. This jacket also packs in a decent size, making it perfect for backpacking and day packing. The RH Neutrino Pro jacket review is the most thorough and useful of Rab’s Down Jacket reviews.
