Rab Slipstream review

Review time!

I was lucky enough to pick this jacket up last year at a Rab factory sale, and, along with my Rab Drillium, they have been my staple jackets right through autumn and winter last year.

The Slipstream is designed as a lightweight multi-sport jacket, aimed in particular at lightweight backpackers, trail runners and cyclists. I have used it for all three in the last  months, hence I decided to give it a proper review.




Firstly, the all important weight - 340g claimed on the Rab website, and mine, a medium, weighs a tad under on the scales. Its made from Pertex Shield, a fabric with a face of Pertex bonded to a PU membrane to keep the rain out so think lightweight windproof on steroids!! Its designed to be pretty breathable of course, and compared to other fabrics I have used,like that in Berghaus RG1 jacket, it does pretty well, but once you crank up the spinning revs on the bike, it starts to get pretty warm inside, and on a cold day you'll soon be doing a pretty good impression of a mobile rain forest! In winter this isnt such a bad thing, but on those showery summer days where you are going light but still need rain protection, you can get very warm very quickly, and I found myself having to stop and vent through the main zip to prevent overheating. It has a waterproof DWR coating that keeps the water beading well provided you wash and reproof regularly, but on at least one occasion I got caught in an almighty downpour on the road bike and the jacket wet out and was damp inside, but maybe it was due a reproof to be fair. It is also very windproof as you'd expect, and I have found that when worn on cold winter mornings on the bike,  it keeps the wind out well when your tearing up the trail.

Rabs Slipstream - lightweight waterproofing

Rab have used the fabric to good effect and constructed a lightweight jacket with an "athletic" cut, some folk dont like this sort of close fit, but from a bikers and runners point of view its perfect - no flappage. A simple hood with a wired peak, face and volume adjustment keeps the head dry, but is a little lacking when the rain is whipping in from the side - very noticeable on the bike. It doesnt have any way to secure it if you roll it down to a collar either, which is a shame. Also a bit of a let down in the bike department is the lack of a long drop tail to keep your backside dry on wet roads or trails, and also helps to keep your bits warm in winter. However the shorter length of the jacket is great on the bike, since it doesnt bunch up around your waist into uncomfortable and flappy mounds.

 The zip is a full length affair which is slightly recessed and has a storm flap behind it - helps to keep the wind out bit in practice probably wont stop the rain. Its a normal zip, and not the "waterproof" type, and I prefer this - my experience with waterproof zips is that they are usually anything but! It has two large side pockets which are mesh lined - open these up and they work well as vents. Talking of venting, the cuffs are tightened with a velcroed tab (no big rubber cuff adjusters here, this is a lightweight jacket remember!!) and are big enough to roll up your sleeves for a bit of extra cooling. The whole jacket packs down into a small bag which has an elastic waist band and buckle,great for warm, showery days when you aren't carrying a pack. This also stuffs nicely into a corner or outside pocket of a backpacking or hydration pack very nicely, and you wont know you are carrying it

Improvements? Maybe a slightly better hood with a flap to secure it when rolled down, and an extra zipped pocket on the back would be nice for bikers and runners, but these little details all add up to extra weight, and its all about balance, something the Slipstream acheives pretty well. One thing that would be great, though, is more reflective details - there are a few reflective dots and logos, but a jacket for use on a bike and for running ought to have more.

All in all a great addition to your lightweight or bike kit for right through the year, and for around the £80 mark, represents pretty good value.