Why complicate your kit list? Warm at the peak and comfortable during intense activity, Rab`s softshell VR Summit Jacket is the ideal all-in-one, multi-sport mountain system.
As the warmest piece in the new Vapour-Rise™ collection, the VR Summit Jacket is perfect for a range of winter activities, from skiing and ice climbing to cold-weather mountaineering. It features Rab`s latest Vapour-Rise™ technology, which uses a fast-wicking brushed polyester lining inside a highly breathable Pertex® Quantum Air shell to keep you dry and comfortable between periods of exertion and moments of rest. To help maximise its breadth of mountain applications, it also features a weatherproof DWR coating and an adjustable helmet-compatible hood with stiffened peak. The adjustable hem and cuffs help tailor the fit, the secure handwarmer pockets are elevated to stay clear of a climbing harness, and the full-length YKK VISLON® double-ended front zip makes belaying a breeze.
With its advanced Vapour-Rise™ system, our VR Summit winter softshell jacket does the work of several separate garments, providing outstanding all-weather comfort for cold mountain activities.
Buyers Guide - How to choose a layer and use it effectivelyWhen you’re out and about enjoying the hills, you are the one in control of how hot or cold you feel. It is up to you to wear the right amount, and type of clothing for the weather and activity you are enjoying. It is up to you to ensure you have eaten and drunk enough (this plays a very important part in temperature regulation). It is up to you to add or remove clothing to regulate your temperature. It is up to you to move faster, or in some cases slower, to control your level of exertion.
Grabbing a jacket and heading out for a couple of hours is great if you know you are going to be returning from the great outdoors to a hot shower and dry clothes but if you are backpacking, climbing our venturing further afield then getting your layering wrong can be a real issue.
The basic rule is to carry all your layers if you are heading out to enjoy the hills because if the weather turns; you cannot put on layers you did not bring along.
- Jargon Busting - what do "layering", "wicking", "moisture vapour" etc mean?- Why is wicking so important?- So, if I buy technical wicking clothing will I sweat less?
- What should I look for in a base layer?
- I just need one mid-layer, right?
- Why is a windproof a good thing to buy?
- Surely, I don’t need to carry a hat and gloves in the summer?
- But I’ve spent all this money on performance clothing and I still feel cold. Why?
- What about the environment?
Top tips to make the right choice:The good news is that there is no shortage of choice, fit or colours when it comes to base and mid-layers.
Once again; fit, is absolutely the most important factor when choosing your clothing. It is critical to function and will make a difference to how a garment performs.
If you are starting out, then make a base layer your first purchase as this is the foundation and possible THE most important part of your clothing system. After all, if it does not absorb your sweat efficiently then it won’t be able to transport it out and away from your body.
Product reviews are great for getting an idea of what you might want but as we have mentioned above everyone is unique and what works well for one person may not be ideal for your personal body shape or metabolism.
Finally, if you don’t own any “performance clothing” don’t despair! People have been climbing mountains for hundreds of years in silk and wool garments – the difference is that they lived in a time when they understood the consequences of getting wet and cold so avoided it. Simply enjoy your adventures in the good weather by adapting your day around a forecast.
Modern outdoor fabrics allow us to remain comfortable in bad weather so long as we understand and use them correctly. Their ability to wick moisture away from our bodies and out through our waterproofs allows us to venture out for great outdoor adventures whatever the weather, spreading our sweaty happiness for all to enjoy!