Rab Vapour-Rise Alpine Light £140

+ Light, versatile, good warmth for weight - Not the toughest, no stretch

The Vapour-Rise (VR) system has been a mainstay of the Rab range since the 1990s.

It is essentially a 2-layer design consisting of a lightweight, wind and water-resistant Pertex outer combined with a fast-wicking liner. Today, Rab’s VR line-up consists of three jackets, but for us the Alpine Light is the pick of the bunch, being the most versatile option for hill and mountain use. When worn over a light base layer, you can basically leave your fleece and windproof at home, since this does the job of both. The fit is relatively roomy, though there’s a hem drawcord to cinch it in, plus a simple but fairly effective elastic-bound hood with a stiffened peak and rear Velcro adjustment. There are also twin mesh-lined chest pockets. Impressively, this soft shell weighs just 312g in a men’s medium. That’s down to the lightweight fabrics used, including that Pertex Quantum Air nylon shell. In conjunction with the wicking liner, it means this jacket feels superlight and airy, yet staves off windchill effectively. Good airflow and breathability keep you cool, dry and comfortable across a broad temperature range. It’s also finished with a DWR to deal with on-off drizzle. The only disadvantage is that it lacks the stretch of other soft shells and feels fairly delicate, so this isn’t a jacket built to take too much punishment.

■ Weight 312g (men’s M) ■ Men’s sizes S-XXL ■ Women’s sizes 8-16 ■ Fabric Pertex Quantum Air shell (100% nylon) with DWR. VR Wicking liner (100% polyester lining), with VR Airflow mesh (100% polyester)

Verdict

A proven ‘put it on, leave it on’ layer that fends off the wind and provides a little insulation. We can see why it has its devotees.