Rab

Rab Carrington’s journey began far from the boardroom, learning how to build better sleeping bags while stuck in Argentina on a delayed expedition. When he later settled in Sheffield, he put those skills to work, hand‑sewing down bags in the attic of his terraced house for friends in the local climbing community.​ Word spread quickly that these bags were warmer, tougher and more thoughtfully designed than what was already on the market. Demand soon outgrew the attic, and production moved into a small Sheffield factory, where the focus shifted from a handful of orders for friends to kitting out serious expeditions and long mountain trips.

As the range expanded from sleeping bags into insulated clothing and shell layers, Rab kept a clear focus: making equipment for climbers, mountaineers and committed hillwalkers, not for passing trends. That “The Mountain People” ethos is still obvious on the racks at Cotswold Outdoor. The 1990s and 2000s saw Rab introduce expedition‑grade bags and down clothing that became trusted on alpine and Himalayan routes, combining light weight with impressive durability. More recently, the brand has paired that technical progress with climate goals, becoming Climate Neutral certified and publishing detailed Material Facts so customers can see the impact behind each product.​

That practical mindset still guides the range today, from helmet‑compatible hoods and two‑way zips to baffle layouts that keep heat where it’s needed when you are hanging at a belay. It is why so many Rab pieces feel immediately “right” on the hill: they are designed to disappear into the background while you focus on the route, rather than just looking outdoorsy on the high street.​

Rab’s home in Sheffield, on the edge of the Peak District, meant new ideas could be tested quickly on cold, wet gritstone and in spindrift‑filled gullies. Early customers were often climbing partners, whose blunt feedback shaped a design language built around reliability, efficient warmth and details that actually work with ropes, harnesses and gloves.​

• Early 1980s – Attic beginnings: Rab Carrington makes his first hand‑stitched down sleeping bags in a Sheffield attic and formally establishes the Rab brand in 1981.​

• Late 1980s–1990s – Factory and expeditions: Production moves into a Sheffield factory, and Rab launches specialised expedition sleeping bags and insulated jackets, rapidly becoming a go‑to name for UK climbers and alpinists.​

• 2000s – Global reach: Rab clothing and sleeping bags spread beyond the UK, equipping international expeditions and everyday mountain users while maintaining a focus on functional, “no fuss” design.​

• 2010s – Technical shells and systems: The brand widens into full head‑to‑toe systems: waterproof GORE‑TEX and Pertex shells, advanced mid‑layers, and refined sleeping bag ranges such as Ascent and Mythic.​

• 2019–2020s – Climate Neutral and Material Facts: Rab achieves Climate Neutral certification and publishes Material Facts tables to give transparent data on recycled content, emissions and materials, aligning product innovation with ambitious sustainability targets.​

Rab emphasises “no‑nonsense, hard‑wearing gear”, designing products to be repaired and used for many seasons rather than replaced quickly. That philosophy is backed up by long‑lasting fabrics, robust construction, and repair services that extend product life and reduce waste.​

Sustainability runs through Rab’s decision‑making, from increased use of recycled fabrics and down to PFAS‑free durable water repellents and responsible down standards. The brand aims to cut emissions per product, boost renewable or recycled content, and work with manufacturing partners who are also actively reducing their environmental footprint.

Rab’s reputation is built on combining high‑performance insulation with equally advanced outer fabrics, creating jackets and sleeping bags that stay warm, light, and protective in genuinely harsh conditions. Many of the flagship pieces you’ll see at Cotswold Outdoor – from Microlight and Neutrino to Valiance and Ascent – use high fill‑power goose or duck down that is responsibly sourced and given a fluorocarbon‑free hydrophobic treatment. This process helps the down resist moisture and dry faster, so it keeps its loft and insulating power in the kind of damp, changeable weather that normally defeats standard down.

On the outside, Rab makes its shells with fabrics such as Pertex Quantum, Pertex Shield, and GORE‑TEX to balance low weight with serious durability. Pertex Quantum is prized for its excellent strength‑to‑weight ratio and windproof performance, making it ideal for lightweight insulated jackets that still need to stand up to pack straps and rock. Pertex Shield and GORE‑TEX introduce fully waterproof, breathable protection for shells and waterproof down pieces, helping to keep you dry from both rain and internal moisture build‑up. Across these fabrics, Rab increasingly relies on fluorocarbon‑free durable water repellent (DWR) finishes, which encourage water to bead and run off without compromising long‑term performance or environmental goals.

This material mix comes to life in Rab’s waterproof shells. Best‑selling jackets like Kangri GTX, Downpour, and Valiance use multi‑layer membranes, protective hoods, and fully taped seams to keep out persistent rain, sleet, and wet snow. These shells are cut and ventilated for movement, so they can keep up with high‑output use—long mountain days, steep ascents, or fast hikes—without feeling like a plastic mac.

Rab applies the same design thinking to its sleeping bags. Advanced models such as the Mythic Ultra series use ultra‑high‑fill down (around 900FP), ultra‑light yet strong recycled outer fabrics, and clever construction details like body‑mapped baffles and mat‑integrated lower sections. This approach reduces cold spots, cuts unnecessary fabric and fill, and allows the whole system to pack down remarkably small. For expedition camps, alpine bivvies, and lightweight trekking, it means you can carry less weight without sacrificing warmth or reliability when the temperature drops overnight.

The Microlight range uses lightweight, wind‑resistant face fabrics (typically Pertex Quantum) and responsibly sourced down to create packable insulated layers that work almost year‑round. In this collection, you’ll see hooded jackets, non‑hooded jackets and vests, including the Microlight Jacket, Microlight Alpine and longline women’s variations.​ Microlight pieces are ideal for walkers, climbers and everyday users who want a single insulating layer that goes from hill days to the commute without feeling bulky. Models like the Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket are the core “do‑everything” options for most UK adventures.

The Rab Downpour collection centres on lightweight, packable waterproofs made with 2.5‑layer Pertex Shield fabric, which uses a protective face fabric, a waterproof-breathable membrane and a print or coating on the inside to keep weight down while still blocking wind and rain. Jackets in this range, such as the men’s and women’s Downpour and Downpour Light, typically feature adjustable hoods, pit zips, storm flaps and a stuff‑sack style pocket so you can throw them in a pack and forget about them until the clouds roll in. This makes Downpour a strong choice for hillwalkers, commuters and travellers who want dependable wet‑weather protection without the cost or bulk of a full expedition shell.

The Rab Cirrus range replaces traditional down with a recycled synthetic “down‑like” fill that clusters to create loft but keeps working when damp, making it well-suited to drizzly, stop‑start days. Cirrus jackets, gilets and hybrids (like Cirrus Alpine and Cirrus Flex) use lightweight, wind‑resistant outer fabrics, often with stretch panels in high‑movement areas to improve comfort when you’re on the go. Because they dry quickly, shrug off showers and need minimal care, Cirrus pieces are ideal for regular UK use—commuting, walking, travel and low Alpine trips—where you want reliable warmth that doesn’t demand perfect conditions.

The Neutrino family is built around high‑fill‑power down, using carefully made baffles and tougher outer fabrics to maximise warmth and durability for serious cold. Jackets like the Neutrino Pro and Neutrino Alpine combine ethically sourced goose down with wind‑ and weather‑resistant shells, helmet‑compatible hoods, two‑way front zips and big, glove‑friendly pockets that work at belays or on ledges. The same design principles extend into Neutrino down sleeping bags, which use 800‑fill‑power hydrophobic goose down, tapered mummy shapes and box‑wall baffles to deliver excellent warmth‑to‑weight for alpine bivvies and high camps. This range is aimed squarely at winter climbers, alpinists and expedition users heading for sustained sub‑zero temperatures, where a mid‑weight down jacket simply is not enough and you need a complete clothing and sleeping system you can trust on long, exposed routes and cold nights.

Rab Nexus is the brand’s core fleece and midlayer line, using soft, stretchy knit fabrics that strike a balance between warmth, breathability and packability. The collection includes full‑zip Nexus Jackets, cosy Nexus Hoodies and simple Nexus Pull‑Ons in men’s and women’s cuts, all slim enough to sit comfortably under shells or insulated jackets without bunching. These pieces shine as everyday midlayers for everything from casual walks and office commutes to technical climbing and mountaineering, giving you a dependable “grab‑and‑go” layer you’ll reach for across seasons.

The Rab Kangri GTX collection uses robust 3‑layer GORE‑TEX to create mountain shells that can handle constant abrasion, heavy rain and strong winds for years. Men’s and women’s Kangri GTX jackets usually feature wired hood peaks, deep hand and chest pockets, water‑resistant zips and pit vents, plus a slightly longer cut for better protection when the weather really turns.  In a full outfit, the Kangri is often worn over a Nexus rab fleece or a mid‑weight rab puffer jacket, giving a flexible system that covers everything from wet autumn hikes to full winter days in the Scottish Highlands. This is the shell you choose if you’re out in Scottish winters, tackling long ridge days or guiding in reliably wet climates, and want one “buy‑once” waterproof that can cover almost all your hiking and mountaineering needs.

The Rab Tecton Pull-On Fleece is a versatile and eco-friendly midlayer designed for demanding mountain use but equally suited to everyday wear. Made from fully recycled, ultra-soft Thermic fleece fabric, it provides an impressive warmth-to-weight ratio while remaining lightweight, highly breathable, and quick-wicking—features that keep you dry and comfortable during active alpine pursuits.​ The Tecton Pull-On features a deep half-zip for fast ventilation, a close-fitting collar for added warmth, and an elasticated cuff for hassle-free integration with shells and gloves. Lightweight and easily packable, it stows neatly in a rucksack, making it a perfect choice for layering on everything from rugged hikes and high mountain ascents to evenings by the campfire.​

The Rab Xenair collection is all about breathable active insulation, using body‑mapped synthetic fill weights and air‑permeable outer fabrics so you can keep one layer on through changes in effort and weather. Jackets such as the Xenair, Xenair Alpine and Xenair Alpine Light place more insulation where you lose heat and less where you tend to overheat, while still blocking wind and light precipitation. This makes them excellent for ski touring, winter climbing and high‑tempo hiking, where you’re constantly ramping up and down in intensity and want to avoid the faff of repeated layer changes.

The Rab Electron series blends generous down fill with a focus on movement, using zoned baffles and durable Pertex Quantum Pro fabrics to balance warmth, bulk and toughness. The Electron and Electron Pro down jackets offer big belay‑level warmth but remain relatively compact and supple, so you can climb or scramble without feeling like you’re wrapped in a duvet. They suit all‑mountain users who need a serious winter Rab jacket that will sit happily over multiple layers, stand up to pack straps and rock contact, and still stuff into a pack when it is time to move fast between objectives.

Rab Momentum pieces are lightweight, stretchy legwear designed to move with you on long, energetic days in the hills. Pants and shorts in this line use quick‑drying, breathable fabrics with a bit of elastane, often paired with articulated knees and a slim but accommodating cut that works with harnesses or gaiters. They’re a great option for enthusiasts who do a bit of everything—hiking, fast‑packing, scrambling and travel—because they’re comfortable enough for big mileage but tough enough to shrug off occasional scrapes and brush.

The Rab Valiance range sits at the intersection of down jacket and full waterproof shell, using a fully taped, waterproof outer fabric wrapped around high‑quality hydrophobic down. Classic men’s and women’s Valiance jackets are cut a little longer for extra coverage, with protective hoods, weather‑resistant zips and carefully designed baffles that keep the down lofting even in foul conditions. They are aimed at people who face cold, wet winters—think sleet, wet snow, heavy rain—and want one do‑it‑all coat that removes the need to juggle separate insulated and shell layers in everyday life and on the hill.

The Torque collection is Rab’s best softshell legwear line, built from stretchy but highly durable double‑weave fabrics with reinforcements on the knees and seat. Torque Mountain pants and shorts are cut with climbers and scramblers in mind, so you get an excellent range of motion, low‑profile waistbands that sit neatly under harnesses, and cuffs that work with mountaineering or approach boots. They are ideal for technical routes, summer alpine objectives and rugged hill days where you’re constantly in contact with rock, heather and scree.

The Rab Ascent sleeping bag range features high-quality duck down and tough, weather-resistant outer fabrics, paired with slightly roomier mummy cuts, allowing you to sleep in layers or move more naturally at night. Models range from the lighter Rab Ascent 300 and 500, which suit cool, three-season trips, through to the Ascent 700, 900, and 1100, which are built for colder alpine bivvies and full winter camping. These Rab sleeping bags are perfect for backpackers, DofE and trekking users, and mountaineers who want one bag they can rely on across a wide range of trips, trading a tiny bit of weight for extra comfort and versatility.