Xenair Alpine Light Insulated Jacket Synthetic Jackets

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The Rab Xenair Alpine Light jacket is a lightweight, insulated jacket with strategically mapped insulation for activities like hiking and climbing. It’s warm, breathable, and packable, making it ideal as a mid-layer or outer layer in mild weather.

Rab says: 

When conditions are mixed and activity levels fluctuate, this lightweight synthetic insulated jacket delivers the ultimate balance of warmth and breathability to keep you comfortable whatever your day throws at you. Filled with dual weight PrimaLoft® Gold Active+ insulation which is lighter in hot spots to help regulate your temperature, it’s a versatile jacket which can be used as a technical outer on fast summer hikes or a warm, hardworking midlayer in cooler conditions. Now featuring a new, even more breathable lining, the Xenair Alpine Light expertly deals with changes in energy and temperature without you needing to remove layers.

The jacket is equipped for moving upwards, with sleeve articulation refined for climbs and scrambles, and a close-fitting hood which fits seamlessly under your helmet. Three zipped pockets provide stash space for your map or snacks, with one inner chest pocket doubling up as a stuff sack with a harness attachment loop. The elasticated cuffs pair easily with gloves, while the single-sided rear hem adjustment eliminates draughts on chillier missions.

Featuring an innovative lining designed to keep you comfortable for longer, the Xenair Alpine Light Jacket offers body-mapped insulation for your most action-packed pursuits

Our Verdict

The Rab Xenair Alpine Light is a highly technical and versatile synthetic insulated jacket optimised for active mountain pursuits. This jacket excels at regulating temperature during stop-and-go activities and is filled with PrimaLoft Gold Active+ insulation strategically mapped with different weights for enhanced breathability.

The body-mapped insulation is lighter under the arms and around the core to allow venting while providing more warmth on the sleeves, collar, and other areas. This differential insulation prevents overheating during high-output moments.

Key features include an articulated athletic fit with mobility in the arms, an insulated under-helmet hood, three zippered pockets, and a stuff sack. The durable Pertex Quantum Air shell cuts wind well.

While not a full-weight winter belay jacket, the Xenair Alpine Light strikes an impressive balance of warmth, breathability and minimal weight/bulk, making it ideal as an insulating mid-layer or active outer layer in excellent, dry conditions. It’s warm enough for chilly belays and ventilated sufficiently to stretch the limits during heated summit pushes.

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• Body mapped insulation to maintain warmth and aid thermoregulation
• Under helmet hood with a semi-elasticated opening and elasticated rear gathering for a snug fit
• Lightweight YKK(R) VISLON(R) centre front zip with chin guard#2 YKK(R) concealed zipped hand pockets
• YKK(R) zipped inner packaway chest pocket with harness attachment loop
• Elasticated gusset at the cuff for optimum fit and comfort
• Articulated sleeves for mobility
• Lightweight single sided rear hem adjustment with anti snag tether
• 60gsm PrimaLoft(R) Gold Active+ insulation (55% recycled content) through front, back, top of sleeves and collar

Specifications

• Small weighs: 313g
• Medium weighs: 324g
• Large weighs: 347g
• XLarge weighs: 358g
• Fit: Regular
• Centre back length (Size M): 71.5cm / 28.1inch

Material & Construction

• 20D Pertex(R) Quantum Air with fluorocarbon-free DWR (47gsm [2cfm])
• 40gsm PrimaLoft(R) Gold Active+ insulation (55% recycled content) through sides, underarms, spine and top of hood
• 20D recycled nylon (40gsm [10cfm])
• Main: 100% Polyamide (with Acrylic coating). Lining: 100% recycled Polyamide

Help & advice:

• Rab PrimaLoft Technology Explained
• About Rab
• Time-Saver Guide to Choosing a Synthetic Jacket
• What is PERTEX Quantum Air?
• Recycled Content in Outdoor Gear
• Rab Xenair Range
• Synthetic Insulation Explained