Rab Mythic G Jacket Review: A super lightweight down jacket that has surpassed the limits of "lightness and warmth"
Written by Yasushi Hisatomi
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Ultra-lightweight down jacket that delivers overwhelming warmth without sacrificing weight
When it comes to winter clothing to carry outdoors in the extreme cold, such as climbing snowy mountains or backcountry skiing, the first thing that comes to mind is down jackets that are still the old and now. Even now, even with this advanced technology, there is no material that can surpass the high insulation properties of waterfowl feathers that can shut out the harsh cold and compactness when compressed.
Among these down jackets for mountaineering, one of the most outstanding figures in the outdoor industry in terms of warmth per weight is the ISPO award-winning Rab Mythic G Jacket . Rab has been pridefully working on "Master of Insulation" since its founding, has been working on research and development for padded products such as down, and has achieved this model. This time we will be reviewing this ultra-lightweight technical down jacket.
table of contents
- Main features of Rab Mythic G Jacket
- Detailed review
- Insulation and weight: Achieve enough warmth with a light weight that is cut down to the limit of 1 gram
- Comfort and fit: The exquisite fit and ease of movement are stunning, making it almost impossible to feel stress during your activities.
- Durability and weather resistance: It is sufficient protection considering its lightness, but it is not yet durable enough
- Functionality and usability: Minimal functionality with no waste
- Summary: The best cell phone winter clothing that is condensed with the good points of down is the best, and once you wear it, you can't let it go in the mountains or in the city.
Main features of Rab Mythic G Jacket
The Rab Mythic G Jacket is an ultra-lightweight down jacket that delivers incredible high performance with insulation per weight. The highest quality environmentally friendly 1000FP RDS certified European goose down is sandwiched between the ultra-lightweight, PFC-free DWR-processed 7-denier Atmos™ nylon ripstop fabric and the proprietary TILT (Thermo Ion Lining Technology) lining to provide maximum heat retention with minimal weight. The meticulously calculated three-dimensional cutting creates a stylish silhouette, a comfortable fit, and ease of movement. In order to create the ideal winter clothing that is required for quick action in extremely cold environments, we thoroughly review all areas and cut them down to the limit, while maintaining the minimum functionality required, including the hem and cuffs that prevent winds from entering, a hood with excellent fit and heat retention, and a hand warmer pocket.
Favorite points
- Ultra-lightweight compact
- The highest level of insulation per weight with TILT (thermo-ion lining technology)
- Excellent three-dimensional cutting that combines the ease of movement, comfort and good silhouette that only Rab can do
- A highly designed concealed zippered hand pocket
Interesting points
- (If I had to say so) The delicate fabric and the small storage capacity of the fabric due to the slashing to the limit
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | Rab Mythic G Jacket |
|---|---|
| weight | 277g (Actual measurement of size M) |
| color | Black, Cloud, Orion Blue |
| size | S/M/L |
| Ladies model | ◯ |
| Outer material | 7D Atmos™ Nylon RipStop (23gsm) Fluorocarbon-Free DWR (Durable Water Repellent) |
| lining | 7D ripstop nylon (23gsm) using TILT (thermal ion lining technology) |
| Insulation | 1000FP RDS certified European goose down (127g size M) |
| Left and right hand pockets | |
| Other features | Storage stuff sack |
| Outdoor Gearzine Rating | |
| Comfort | ★★★★★ |
| Thermal insulation | ★★★★★ |
| It's not stuffy | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ease of movement | ★★★★★ |
| Multifunctional | ★★☆☆☆ |
| weight | ★★★★★ |
| Storageability | ★★★★★ |
| Practicality in the field | ★★★★☆ |
Detailed review
Rab Mythic G Jacket ? I've never had a simple question for myself, and I realized what it was like after using it in the field. For me, the appeal of this down jacket has been simply summed up into two parts: One is that it is overwhelmingly " light and warm ." it's extremely comfortable to wear when used on the field . Let's explain in order.
Insulation and weight: Achieve enough warmth with a light weight that is cut down to the limit of 1 gram
Why the Mythic G Jacket so much lighter and warmer than other down jackets? It is certain that there are many detailed ideas that are piled up there, but above all, there are two major points that you should never miss.
One of the things is the quality of the down stuffed inside. This jacket is packed with 127g of 1000FP (fill power) European goose down, which is currently the highest level of resilience (sized to the M size). Therefore, it goes without saying that this jacket is a rather high-performance down jacket that is fluffy and warm when worn, and extremely compact when folded.
The 1000FP down provides extremely high heat retention even with a small amount of cotton.
Of course, other manufacturers also have jackets that use 1000FP down as the filling. Typical examples include Montbell's "Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka." However, Mythic G Jacket still achieves a unique "lightness and insulation" that is outstanding even when compared to these is that it has another ingenuity: its unique "heat insulation explosion function." That's another major feature: the sparkly lining of TILT (thermal ion lining technology) that can be seen on the inside of this jacket (photo below).
TILT fabric is stretched all over the lining, except for the underarms
For more information on how it works, please refer to the video on this official channel of home country (the description of the fabric is about sleeping bags). To put it simply, by using special techniques, each fiber is coated with titanium, radiant heat can be reflected inside the clothing without compromising the breathability of the fabric. According to Rab, the effect is significantly reduced by up to 30% compared to when there is no radiant heat loss. By the way, it is similar but not like the aluminum vapor deposition used in cheap cold protection jackets (it's heavy and can get stuffy and stuffy, so to be honest, I don't want to use it on the mountains).
This technology improves insulation without affecting weight, volume, or even breathability, allowing maximum heat retention with minimal weight.
As soon as you actually wear it, you can feel the warmth inside the clothing to the point of suspecting that the jacket is emitting heat, and it occurs with just a light jacket that doesn't make you feel like you're wearing it, so that it's quite moving.
When I felt chilly on the ridgeline, I took it out of the compression bag and put it on, and it immediately showed excellent insulation.
What's more, personally, I find it a bit slender is that this TILT fabric is spread over most of the lining, including the hood, while deliberately removing the TILT only on the underarm part. Furthermore, by using a "stitch-through structure (sewing between the front and back)" for the down baffle, we have deliberately reduced thermal efficiency and made it possible to avoid slight heat from the seams. In other words, the basic concept is to pursue maximum lightness and heat retention, while also taking into consideration the use of heat in unnecessary areas such as underarms, so that it can be used comfortably as a "tool" for use in the field. These subtle adjustments are not something you will notice unless you actually test carefully in the field. It's the work of someone who completely "knows."
Comfort and fit: The exquisite fit and ease of movement are stunning, making it almost impossible to feel stress during your activities.
She was 176cm and 64kg wearing size M. The fit is just right, or there is some room. If you want to wear it just right on a lighter look, not over the shell, you'll probably want to wear it in size S.
While many down jackets have a cylindrical, loose silhouette, perhaps considering the design of streetwear, this jacket has a slim fit that follows the body lines and a slightly longer length. The hem is longer on the back than the front, providing wider coverage for the buttocks.
Of course, it's not cramped when it comes to slimming. The three-dimensional cutting that does not interfere with the movement of the upper body is still amazing, allowing you to move your arms freely, and the hem rarely flips up when you raise your hands (photo below).
The stunning three-dimensional cutting makes the hem rarely slip up even when you raise your arms high.
By the way, regarding the optimum size, when I was 176cm and 64kg, I paired the M size, so I couldn't just wear it over a base layer or mid layer, but I also had plenty of room to wear it over the shell. If you want to wear it perfectly without any gaps between your skin and the perfect size, you can also choose the S size.
The cuffs are made of elastic material in part, and the instep is slightly extended, providing a comfortable feel and sufficient tightening to prevent gaps in the air.
The cuff design is wonderful to keep out the cold air and provide a gentle touch.
It also seems to be a lightweight jacket, and the hood is extremely simple. Although it cannot be adjusted, moderately stretchy materials are placed on the left and right sides of the edge to improve the fit, and the top is made of a hard brim that can withstand wind. It doesn't seem to be designed to be worn over a helmet (you can wear it in case of an emergency), but it fits perfectly over a knit hat. The collar is high and the brushed chin guard on the inside is also nice.
A warm and fit hood with plenty of down.
Durability and weather resistance: It is sufficient protection considering its lightness, but it is not yet durable enough
The jacket's shell fabric is made of 7 denier ultra-thin ripstop nylon, both inside and outside, woven at a high density to prevent down from falling off. It is certainly a material that is extremely high level and is both ultra-lightweight and durable, but it is also true that it is never said that it is OK to use it with the same roughness as a typical heavy jacket. Although this has not been a problem in the past, it is something to be handled with caution so that it does not rub against rough rock surfaces or trees or catches on sharp objects.
This jacket also protects most of the wind against rain and wind, and with PFC-free DWR processing, it can also block light rain. Unfortunately, it is not water-repellent down so you should not be careless. Be careful of moisture and wetting.
The surface DWR processing will repel a certain amount of water (not waterproof).
Functionality and usability: Minimal functionality with no waste
The Rab development staff aimed to create an ultra-compact kit with the highest warmth (weight ratio) for people traveling at high speeds in extreme cold environments. Since anything that is not necessary for this purpose is stripped away as much as possible, to be honest, we cannot expect much functionality.
However, there are two large hand pockets with minimal zippers, a sturdy, freezing-resistant YKK vislon zipper, and drawcords that increase the adhesion of the hem, which are well thought out, although at a minimum, and you don't feel a particularly fatal lack of satisfaction.
Inconspicuous concealed zipper hand pocket.
However, personally I still want a chest pocket. The left and right pockets are uncomfortable to wear and interfere with the waist belt, so you don't generally need to put anything in it, and you will need a chest pocket to store anything. It may be a waste of time for extreme activities, but for those who are easygoing outdoor enthusiasts like yourself, I will hold back at just over a dozen grams, so please add a chest pocket.
Size when stored in a stuff sack. It's quite compact, but for me, I don't put it in a stuff sack so I store it in the gaps in my backpack because it's easy to pack.
Summary: The best cell phone winter clothing that is condensed with the good points of down is the best, and once you wear it, you can't let it go in the mountains or in the city.
The Mythic G Jacket has been polished to the point of bringing it to a new level, from the three essential advantages of down jackets, "lightness, warmth, and comfort," to the point of view. It is undoubtedly one of the top-class portable winter clothing for alpinists who take on harsh missions and minimalists who value cutting down on weight, to keep them in their backpacks in the winter mountains.
However, in terms of functionality and convenience (for the price), it is extremely simple, so it cannot be said to be suitable for everyone, and may not be cost-effective for those who want not only lightness, warmth, and comfort, but also even safety and convenience.
For me, Mountain Hardwear's Ghost Whisperer UL has been the ace of lightweight down jackets for a long time. It's certainly lighter on that side, but after I came across this jacket, I plan to shift to this one, which is significantly better in terms of insulation and comfort. In fact, it has a presence in the backpack as a winter wear in the mountains, but in the lower world, it has been worn every day as my favorite outing outerwear for the past month.
It is true that there are quirks, but if you understand that quirk and find it attractive as a purity, this one can be said to be a supreme piece that you can wear as a current player for at least 10 years.
