Rab Kangri Jacket | Gore-Tex | Tiso Review
Supported by Tiso ambassador, Nigel Williams, has owned a fair few Gore-Tex jackets in his time. He has worn and tested them in some of the most extreme conditions on earth! We therefore knew he would be perfect for testing our new season RAB Kangri Gore-Tex jacket.
This season sees British outdoor pioneers Rab partner with waterproofing experts GORE-TEX to make a new range of waterproof jackets.
The Kangri features a full GORE-TEX construction bonded to 70 denier face fabric which is at the super-durable end of the spectrum. It is designed for long days in the hills and for bagging munros year after year.
Nigel put this jacket through its paces in the very wet Cairngorms National Park, here is his review....
The Review
I like this Gore-Tex jacket, it is a good quality waterproof with lots of excellent practical features. It has clearly been designed by people who enjoy the outdoors in all weathers and expect to easily access the tools of navigation and other such things from their pockets. It is a solid design and of medium weight so it is a good all year round waterproof for general mountain use that should last.
The Jacket has 2 large chest pockets which are placed carefully to avoid being compromised by rucsac straps. They comfortably take a standard sized map and the zips are long enough to allow access with a large gloved hand. In the upper part of the left hand pocket is a clip to attach a compass cord. The tops of the zips have little garages to prevent water running down and seeping into the top of the pocket. In this position the zip can be done up with the compass in hand.
Inside the jacket on the right hand side is a pocket for valuables or a mobile phone perhaps, keeping it warm and dry against your chest.
The jacket has a number of features to help manage the fit and regulate temperature. There are 4 elastic draw cords, one to manage the hood volume, one for around the collar and hood both manageable with one hand, a waist draw cord on the inside and one at the bottom hem. In addition there are good length pit zips with double zippers so you can always find one and open the vent at either end to help minimise water ingress. There is a lightly wired and stiffened peak on the hood to help shape it.
The pocket and pit zips are all water resistant. The main front zip is a smooth running heavy duty zip with a good sized pull tag on it for cold wet hands or gloves. There is a backing flap to stop moisture seeping through to under garments and a popper stud at the bottom to help keep it in place. At the collar end of the zip is a soft chin guard.
The Verdict
I tested a medium size, now I am 6ft and of average build. Usually a medium is slightly snug and the sleeves are too short so I go for a large which usually ends up on the baggy side. However the medium Rab Kangri seems an excellent fit, the sleeves are a prefect long length, the body part is generous to go over several layers, at first it felt snug across the shoulders but I didn’t notice this once I was active.
In summary a great practical waterproof jacket, a suitable weight to cope with all seasons and with attention to detail and user friendly features. It even has a proper loop for hanging the jacket instead of relying on the hood and ending up on the floor half the time - indicates to me that they take pride in the product.
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