table of contents
No gaps in ultra-high-performance rainwear produced by the most demanding users
Rab is a top alpinist founder Rab Carrington, a British outdoor wear manufacturer that strives to create products that are "the most practical and excellent for mountaineers who use them in the harshest places in the world." In other words, the creators themselves are the "most strict users", and in a sense, their greedy attitude towards new technologies and their "outrageous seriousness" in their sometimes-except high-performance gear that ignores prices is worthy of respect.
Now, this Flashpoint Jacket is ultra-lightweight rainwear that has high waterproof and breathable performance, yet is incredibly light. With its high performance, when I found out about this guy, I even thought that the world of GORE-TEX, which had long reigned as the king of moisture-proof and water-permeable materials, would soon be in danger. Let's start a review right away.
We also recommend this article about rainwear.
- Comparison test: We compared ultra-lightweight rainwear that is great for mountain climbing and running
- Check out the types of rainwear and how to choose them before purchasing
- 2017 Rainwear for Mountaineering that You Can't Miss This Season [For Hiking and Trekking]
- Ultra-lightweight rainwear you won't miss this season 2017 [Recommended for trail running and fast packing]
Detailed review
Item name (price)
Rab Flashpoint Jacket
Front and rear (photo is 2015 model)
Front
Back
Main Specifications and ratings
| evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Waterproof (20 points) |
17 |
| Breathability (20 points) |
16 |
| Comfort (10 points) |
7 |
| Mobility (10 points) |
7 |
| Weight (15 pieces) |
13 |
| Storage capacity (15 points) |
13 |
| Durability (5 points) |
3 |
| Usability (5 items) |
3 |
| Overall score | 79 |
| Specs | |
| material | Pertex ShieldⓇ + 3-layer fabric |
| Layer | 3 layers |
| Color variations | Zinc Koi |
| weight | 195g(S) |
| 1 (Breast) | |
| Pit zip | none |
| Food | Helmet compatible |
| Storage method | Staff sack |
This is amazing!
Amazing lightness and storage capacity
First of all, no one is surprised by the weight of this 195g. The lightweight and thin feel of the Pertex Shield+, a three-layer waterproof and breathable membrane, is sandwiched between the extremely fine front and back fabrics, so you'll even forget the feeling of wearing it once you reach this point. . Perhaps to ensure sufficient moisture permeability and to ensure lightweight design, parts such as pit zips (underarm ventilation) have also been cut to the extreme. I personally thought that the standard for "lightweight rainwear" that I had up until 2015 was 300g or less, but thanks to this, I think it's normal to have a situation where it's normal to go below 200g as early as possible.
the effect of making this also reduces the capacity (photo below).
Even this bag has a little room to it, and it feels like it's the same amount as just one apple.
Excellent waterproof and moisture permeable performance
In fact, there's no waterproof jacket of around 100g, but what really surprises me is that despite its lightness, it has excellent waterproof and breathable performance The published specs include water resistance of 20,000mm (sufficient for regular rainwear), and the moisture permeability is not disclosed, but I don't think there's much difference compared to the previous model, which had a 45,000g/m2/24hrs. In fact, throughout this summer's test, I was able to continue to feel comfortable and not lose its smooth feel even in the rain .
I tried repeatedly exposed it in the rain, but I was particularly surprised at how water repellent it lasted (photo is the 2015 model).
What's more, we must not forget that this is a 3-layer fabric with good membrane protection in the lining and a smooth texture. I'm even impressed by the fact that there is no sloppy even if it's just this big.
Foods and pockets are also arranged in a variety of places
There are no sloppy clues to the minimum required parts for rainwear. The only pocket is large enough, and the hood is not too tight even when worn over a helmet. Adjustment drawcords are firmly attached to the left and right sides and back of the head.
There is plenty of room to store the map in the pocket.
The hood has ample space in the jaw area, making it easy to adjust and provides good protection from the rain.
The lightweight waterproof zipper has a flap inside, a drawcord at the hem and Velcro at the cuffs , providing good care to prevent rainwater from entering.
The drawstring at the hem is placed on the left side.
Velcro sleeves are designed to be lightweight.
This is not good
price
As I have written about performance repeatedly, to be honest, there are no gaps at all, which is shocking. It can be said that a pit zipper would be even more comfortable, but this fabric is so amazing that I'm not too disappointed with its breathability. It would be a shame if this minimalist thing was lost. So, if you're going to be forced, it's going to be a price that's hard to get into. However, I think this is also worth the performance.
Summary: What kind of people do they recommend?
With unparalleled breathability and lightweight, this waterproof outerwear could not fit any better on alpine climbing where you want to reduce weight, mountain races, fast trekking, where you want to spend as little time as possible in harsher situations Of course, there's no way it won't be a great option for regular hiking or trekking. One thing to note is that since it is made so thin and light, it is best to assume that you cannot expect any cold protection aspects like thick rainwear.
As an aside, WL Gore & Associates, which develops GORE-TEX, recently announced that it will invest more than 2 billion yen in the next five years in developing new waterproof and breathable materials (as of September 2015). The era of GORE-TEX, which was the world of GORE-TEX, is now in the past. The competition to develop next-generation waterproof and breathable membranes is expected to intensify further in the future, and we cannot take our eyes off this field.
We also recommend this article about rainwear.
- Check out the types of rainwear and how to choose them before purchasing
- Rainwear for mountaineering that you can't miss this season [for hiking and trekking]
- Ultra-lightweight rainwear that you won't miss this season [for trail running and fast packing]
- Comparison review: Which rainwear you should have if you're going to climb? ?
- Comparison review: We compared ultra-lightweight rainwear that is great for mountain climbing and running [2016SS]