Mike Hardaker Rocking the Rab Mythic Alpine Light Jacket in the Teton Backcountry | Photo Connor Burkesmith Mountain Weekly News
The Rab Mythic Alpine Light Down Jacket is a great layering piece or standalone insulated jacket that works well for ski touring, splitboarding and mountaineering.
Insulation
Starting with the insulation, Rab teamed up with PrimaLoft to add a healthy dose of warmth to this packable jacket. A total of 900FP down combined with PrimaLoft® Gold and you get an extremely warm jacket for it’s size. Upon first look the Rab Mythic Alpine Down Jacket looks just like any other thin down jacket. But once you get your hands on it the real magic starts.
Pertex Fabric
For durability the Rab Mythic Down Jacket is built around 100% recycled 10D outershell. More importantly the outer fabric is that of Pertex Quantum. Unless your familiar with UK outerwear brands and a select few European brands you might be wondering what all the fuss is about Pertex?
Pertex is silky soft and smooth to the touch. And when combined in a layering piece really allows an outershell to easily slide over whatever insulator you opt for. In our case it was the Rab Mythic Down Jacket which I used while hunting this fall, splitboarding and even a night our camping thanks to the small packable size.
Who’s This Jacket For?
One word – athletes. Rab has always made slim fitting athletic gear that works well for those in good shape. If your packing a few extra lbs. this might not be the best gear for you. But for the light and fast crowd, Rab and their athletic cuts really stand out. You get all the warmth you need without all the bulk that traditional insulators feature.
Plus the articulated sleeves are meant for moving, so anyone planning to dig a pit and needing to warm up or do other snow safety stuff will really enjoy this warmth to bulk ratio.
Weight
The size medium I tested weights literally nothing coming in at 8.8oz which when tossed inside your backpack is 100% unnoticeable until you need the added warmth. For touring the jacket is pretty warm and doesnt offer a ton of breathability but that’s not what this is for. The Rab Mythic Jacket works best for wearing when you get to the top or bottom of the run and plan to chill for a bit, need a little added warmth that’s quick and easy to get on.
Rab Men’s Mythic Alpine Light Down Jacket Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Extremely warm for its size
- Pertex Quantum fabric for layering ease
- Lightweight and packable for outdoor activities
Cons:
- Fits snugly for athletic builds
- Minimal breathability for active pursuits
Overall Impression
If Rab was based in the United States vs UK you would hear a lot more about this brand. Or maybe you already are in the know. Either way, the Rab Men’s Mythic Alpine Light Down Jacket ($330.00) is a piece of outerwear that seems to follow me on all my outdoor adventures and will surely become one of your best pieces of gear too.
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