Rab Borealis Hoody Review

Overview

The Rab Borealis Hoody is a slim, stretchy softshell that weighs 272 g (9.6 oz) and is aimed at people who generate more heat than they can shed: climbers, runners, ski tourers and fast alpine hikers. It sits in the gap between a wind shirt and a fleece, with more comfort against the skin than the first and more wind resistance than the second. The trade is blunt. It breathes far better than it blocks weather, so it is a layer to wear all day, not one to shelter in.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	272 g (9.6 oz), men’s
Fabric	Matrix single-weave softshell, 88% nylon (100% recycled), 12% elastane
Water repellency	Fluorocarbon-free DWR
Fit	Slim
Center back length	28.1 in (medium)
Hood	Low-profile, close-fitting, helmet-compatible
Pockets	Two zippered, mesh-lined
Sun protection	UPF 50+
Best use	Running, skiing, climbing

Performance

Breathability and mobility. These are the Borealis’s calling cards. Outdoor Gear Lab’s testers gave the women’s version a 10 out of 10 for breathability and 9.5 for mobility, against 5.5 for weather protection. That lopsided scorecard describes the jacket accurately. Switchback Travel wore the men’s and women’s versions on the Haute Route through France and Switzerland and kept them on for roughly 90 percent of the trek. The testers praised the soft next-to-skin feel, and they said it moves more freely than most softshells they have tried.

Wind and weather. The single-weave Matrix fabric cuts wind well enough for exposed ridgelines and cold mornings. Section Hiker layered it over a warm base layer, with or without a fleece, as a breathable windproof shell for winter hiking. Water is a different matter. The fluorocarbon-free DWR handles mist and light drizzle, and REI buyers say plainly that it is no substitute for a hardshell, though it dries quickly. Live For The Outdoors reached the same conclusion: it works well as a standalone outer layer in fair weather and shoulder season, but it is not built for bad weather. It also offers little warmth by itself. Switchback Travel lists poor performance in cold temperatures as its main complaint.

Hood and features. The hood is cut close and low so it sits under a climbing helmet. It is also stretchy enough to pull over one when more wind protection is wanted, according to Outdoor Gear Lab. A close fit also keeps the fabric from flapping beside your ears in a gale, a point Section Hiker noted. The cost is adjustability, since the hood and cuffs have no cinches. The hem does have drawcords, which testers found easy to use. The two zippered pockets are mesh-lined, so they double as vents when the climb gets steep. This is a minimalist feature set by design.

Fit and durability. The cut is trim and climbing-oriented, and the 28.1 in center back length on a medium is on the shorter side. Reviewers who like a roomier layer, or who want to wear a puffy underneath, should size with care. Outdoor Gear Lab called the fabric highly durable. One retailer reviewer flagged some sloppy stitching on their jacket, and Switchback Travel found it less rugged than some pricier softshells in its roundup. For a garment this light, that is about what the weight would predict.

Value. Switchback Travel lists it at $120 and named it the best budget pick in its softshell round-up. REI reviewers, who rate the men’s version 4.8 out of 5 across nine reviews, call it one of the better values in outdoor apparel.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Very high breathability. Testers describe it as a put-it-on-and-leave-it-on layer
• Stretchy fabric moves well, with soft next-to-skin comfort
• 272 g with a low-profile hood that fits under a helmet
• Recycled nylon, PFC-free DWR and UPF 50+ protection
• Priced below many technical softshells

Cons

• Water resistance is limited to light drizzle, so a hardshell still has to come along
• Minimal warmth on its own
• No hood or cuff adjustment
• Slim, shortish cut will not suit everyone
• Stitching quality drew a complaint from at least one buyer

Who Should Buy This

Anyone who runs hot and moves fast will get the most from it. That means climbers, alpine scramblers, ski tourers, trail runners and backpackers in dry or mixed shoulder-season conditions. It can serve as a daytime layer that rarely comes off, with a light rain shell for the days that need one. Hikers who want one jacket to handle sustained rain or cold camp evenings should look elsewhere, as should anyone who needs a roomy fit or a fully adjustable hood. Those hikers are better served by a hardshell or an insulated layer.

Verdict

The Borealis does one job, keeping wind off a body that is working hard, and does it more comfortably than most softshells at any price. Its limits are weather protection and warmth, and they are the ones its design predicts. For active use in fair to moderate conditions it is easy to recommend.