Rab Men's Valiance Jacket Warm Waterproof Durable Winter Protection Jacket Down Filled

Product Information

What was once the Arc’teryx Cerium LT is now the Cerium Hoody. There are a couple of updates, with new colour ways, different ingredient fabrics and perhaps most notably a new liner that’s derived from natural materials (castor bean oil).

The cuffs are similarly excellent, using a hook and loop (i.e. Velcro) system to allow adjustment to a user-preference tightness.The inner depths of the Valiance is where things get interesting. Rab have used a bonded narrow box-wall design for the Valiance, filled with 800 fill-power goose down insulation. These are just about the best down feathers that Rab supply (in terms of volume or ‘loft’), and they are from ethically reared geese. The outer Pertex Shield layer is reasonably thin too. I have been slightly worried about catching the material on thorns and hedgerows in case it gets ripped. The fabric has rip-stop properties however and so perhaps I am being unjustly cautious. Something to bear in mind in any case. The shell material and inner lining in the new series are both made of 100% recycled nylon, and the face fabric is also finished with a PFC-free water repellent treatment. This ensures added resistance to moisture without the need to resort to environmentally harmful chemical compounds. There’s a clever baffle construction too including stitched-through baffles on the arms where more articulation and dynamic movement is required and box wall baffles on the body where maximum loft and warmth is wanted. It’s clever stuff and it works excellently. What’s more, the box wall baffles are all offset, further reducing the chance of any cold spots.

Bluesign approved fabrics / Responsible Down Standard approved / PFC-free DWR treatment / premium 800 Fill Power goose down / Mimic Platinum insulation / 3-layer zoned waterproof-breathable face fabrics / hydrostatic head: 15,000mm / moisture vapour transmission rate: 10,000g/m2/24hrs / front panel straps / helmet-compatible hood. Men’s XS-XXL, women’s XS-XL / 850 FP goose down and CoreLoft synthetic insulation / Arato 15 nylon shell / articulated construction / insulated StormHood Insulation:800FP European Goose Down with Nikwax Fluorocarbon-Free Hydrophobic Finish (170g / 6oz, Size L)

Material Facts

The hood is a highlight for me, as stated above it is filled with Stratus synthetic and when cinched down feels incredibly comfortable and warm, it is adjusted with a drawcord around the crown, and has a stiffened peak to keep rain and snowdrift out of your eyes. During our tests, we found that this had quite a boxy shape to it, but it felt very warm and comfortable. The outer shell fabric is a little on the thin side, though it still held up to our test period. It’s a shame that Klattermusen don’t make a version of this with a hood too. Full Specifications It’s mainly stuffed with 850 fill power responsibly sourced down but there’s also synthetic fill strategically placed in areas that are more prone to moisture, including the cuffs, shoulders and armpits.

RDS: This means Responsible Down Sourcing. It’s a certification that down has been procured through methods that prioritise the welfare of the animals and the environment. It could only be improved if they made the hood a little bit more insulated and made the main zip two-way. Full Specifications Unisex XXS-XXL / 800 FP RDS-certified, bluesign approved goose down / 20 denier 100% recycled polyamide with shoulder reinforcementOuter Fabric:Fabric Outer - Pertex® Shield:,10,000 HH,DWR 80/20,75g/m²,30d/30d,100% nylon 6 with Pertex® Shield coating Main Fabric: 30D Pertex® Shield 2L coated fabric (75gsm) with fluorocarbon-free DWR. HH: 10,000mm/MVTR: 10,000 g/m2/24hrs

One particular safety feature stands out and is worth a mention. The Rab Infinity features a two-way front zip, allowing easy access to your harness and lines. This means that it can zip down from the top, or zip up from the bottom. You can therefore stay warm and climb safely. When purchasing clothing online, especially protective gear for the outdoors, it is important to consider the following tips. Insulation: 170gof 800FP R.D.S Certified European Goose down. Pyrotec™ synthetic insulated hood and cuffs. It’s certainly not the cheapest option on the market, but we found that the 900 fill power polish goose down performed exceptionally well whilst maintaining a slim profile. It has a classy, snug fit which extends over the hips. Fill power: This refers to the thermal efficiency of the down fill. The lower the number the lower the efficiency. Anything upwards of 700 tends to indicate good thermal efficiency.Step four: If using Nikwax Down Wash Direct, place 100ml in either the tray or directly into the washing machine inside a small pot/ball. If you choose to use another washing product, place the appropriate amount in the machine in the same way. The bonded box-wall design means that none of the main panels of the coat have any stitching or seam taping within the panel and so are remarkably waterproof. During our tests, this felt luxuriously warm and incredibly lofty. It’s like wearing a big down sleeping bag. The material felt a little on the brittle side, but it still held up throughout a testing period.