The Rab Arc Jacket is a versatile and environmentally friendly 3-layer shell that protects hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts from rain, keep them comfortable, and pack down compactly. It’s the brand’s first to utilize recycled Pertex Shield Revolve, which consists of a single polymer that can be easily recycled at the end of its life.
Features
Rab’s Arc Jacket is a sustainable choice for hiking and climbing that uses fully post-consumer recycled Pertex Shield Revolve waterproof polyester fabric. This three-layer mono polymer reduces the impact of production, improves the chances of closing the loop on polyester’s life cycle, and helps keep this jacket lighter and more straightforward than its competitors.
It has a 10-K hydrostatic head rating, lower than the Arc’teryx Beta AR hardshell’s 28K and BD’s Dawn Patrol Hybrid 20K, but higher than a softshell like the Rab Gamma LT Hoody (11K). Wet-weather protection is a spectrum, though.
It’s also a lightweight design with a trim fit and a short hem. It’s no competition for a dedicated hardshell in terms of wet-weather protection, but it offers more warmth and mobility than a softshell or wind shell. It packs down into its pocket and can be clipped to your harness.
Design
The Rab Arc Jacket is a multi-purpose waterproof shell for hikers, hillwalkers, and climbers. Its pared-down features and thin fabrics keep weight low, while its stretch fabric lets you move freely on technical terrain.
The jacket is built for walking and climbing in all seasons, with a helmet-compatible wired peak hood and harness-compatible chest pockets. Its Pertex Shield(r)+ 3-layer waterproof fabric allows for stretch, offering good weather protection without compromising breathability and mobility.
Rab is a big believer in sustainability and aims to reduce its carbon footprint through various projects, from changing how they use plastics in packaging to developing high-performance materials that have a lower environmental impact. They’re also introducing more recycled fabrics into their products.
Fabric
Rab has taken a radical approach to sustainability with their Arc Eco jacket. It is the first of their waterproof breathable jackets to use Pertex Shield Revolve, a revolutionary fabric made from post-consumer recycled polyester.
Its face fabric, membrane, and backer are all made from one polymer, making it much easier to recycle at the end of its life while reducing the environmental impact of production.
A fluorocarbon-free DWR finish further boosts waterproof performance, and this hard-wearing, sustainable jacket is ideal for any outdoor activity or mountain adventure. It features an adjustable mountain hood with a laminated peak, a fleece-lined chin guard for comfort, a drawcord hem, anti-snag hook-and-loop elastic cuffs, and YKK AquaGuard zips throughout.
Weight
The Rab Arc Jacket is a versatile jacket for various outdoor activities. It’s light enough to wear on long walks and backpacking trips but robust enough for a multi-day ski trip or backcountry ski tour.
The jacket features a three-layer waterproof-breathable fabric with recycled Pertex Shield Revolve that provides high protection against rain. It has a good amount of features and offers excellent value.
The jacket is slightly heavier than others in this test but is warm, lightweight, and offers good weather protection. Unfortunately, it uses 750-fill power down, which isn’t the highest loft available, and it would be much lighter and warmer if it used 800 or 900-fill power hydrophobic down.
Overall
The Rab Arc Jacket is a durable and versatile 3-layer shell made with recycled Pertex(r) Shield Revolve fabric that’s ideal for rambling adventures and anytime you need to stay dry. With an adjustable hood, fleece-lined cuffs and two chest pockets that swallow up gloves or a map, this insulated jacket is an excellent option for hikers and climbers.
Rab makes a wide variety of insulated jackets that can be confusing, but they’re all high-quality and built to last. Their fabrics are tough enough to take a beating without ripping or losing shape, and they also offer excellent in-house repair service.
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