Rab's Lightweight Drillium Jacket
Rab is a relative newcomer to the U.S. market, but the company has been producing award-winning apparel in the U.K. for over two decades. The brands name comes from the company’s founder, Rab Carrington, one of the best climbers and alpinists in Europe.
Rab’s outerwear and insulation pieces are subtle. There are no fancy piped seams or swervy zippers or funky patterns. Their jackets simply work, and they work hard.
The Drillium is probably the most versatile Jacket in my closet right now. I’ve worn it cycling in the rain, climbing in all kinds of conditions and hiking in temperatures ranging from 90 degrees down to 20 degrees. I even tried golfing in it once. In every situation it did what it needed to do – kept me dry.
The Drillium is light, compact and very breathable. It takes up about 1/2 of the space in my pack compared to most waterproof breathable jackets I own. The hood also has some great features – especially the moldable wire brim you can adjust depending on the direction of the rain and wind.
However, most of Rab’s pieces have a very Euro cut to them, and the ultralight Drillium fits even tighter than most. While the jacket is well designed and moves with you, I still needed to size up. The feel of the fabric is also not as supple as some of my other waterproof breathables.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Compressable
- Very Breathable
- Great Hood
- Versatile
Cons:
- Sized Smaller than Most
- Stiff, Crinkly Fabric
Price: $220-$275
