REASONS TO BUY
Breathable relative to its warmth
Cozy feel
Decent insulation in the hood
Excellent value
REASONS TO AVOID
A bit heavier
Hood can’t be adjusted
Rab Cirrus Flex Hooded Review
A great buy if you like the look and feel of a traditional down jacket but want synthetic insulation
Credit: Zach Lovell
By Zach Lovell ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ November 4, 2026
RELATED: The Best Insulated Jackets for Men
Our Verdict
Classic puffy jackets have historically used goose down. The drawback? If it gets wet, you're hosed (literally and figuratively), down loses all of its lofty warmth if it gets wet. But jackets like the Rab Cirrus Flex Hooded offer the construction and looks of your favorite puffer with synthetic insulation that is more reliable in wet climates. As the temperatures got chillier through our testing period, we slid into the Cirrus first thing in the morning, and some of our testers kept it on all day, thankful for the great range of motion and skin comfort. This layer isn't the lightest out there, but it has a decent balance between breathability and warmth, with lighter stretch fabrics under the arms and neck.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Rab Cirrus Flex Hooded | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best for Breathable Comfort |  Warmest Jacket on a Budget | |||
| Price | $200 List Check Price at Backcountry | $245 List Check Price at REI | $119 List Check Price at REI | $179 List Check REI (on sale!) | $53 List Check Price at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A solid choice if you want a classic down jacket that’ll keep its loft when wet | Put this on your finals list if you need a lightweight layer and put breathability over warmth | Cold weather layers like this prove you don’t have to drain your bank account to stay warm next winter | A simple jacket best for REI fans seeking a midweight insulating layer | An uninspiring insulated jacket at a great low price |
| Rating Categories | Rab Cirrus Flex Hooded | Cotopaxi Pacaya 2.0... | REI Co-op Trailmade... | REI Co-op Microtrek... | Amazon Essentials Li... |
| Warmth (25%) | |||||
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Weather Resistance (20%) | |||||
| Breathability (15%) | |||||
| Everyday Versatility (15%) | |||||
| Specifications | Rab Cirrus Flex Hooded | Cotopaxi Pacaya 2.0... | REI Co-op Trailmade... | REI Co-op Microtrek... | Amazon Essentials Li... |
| Best Use | Hiking, backpacking, high-output aerobic | Casual/everyday, hiking, backpacking, high-output aerobic | Casual/everyday, hiking | Casual/everyday, hiking, backpacking | Casual/everyday |
| Built-In Stow Pocket | Yes: drop-in | Yes: chest | No | Yes: hand | No; included stuff sack |
| Insulation | 100% recycled PrimaLoft Silver RISE | Imbotex Millefiori 40% recycled wool, 60% recycled low-melting polyester | 100g polyester (98% recycled) | 60g PrimaLoft 100% recycled polyester | 100% polyester |
| Outer Fabric | 20D Recycled Pertex Quantum with PFAS-free DWR | 100% recycled nylon with C0 DWR 70/20 finish | 100% polyester with PFAS-free DWR | 100% recycled ripstop polyester with PFAS-free DWR | 100% nylon |
| Measured Weight (size S/M) | 15.7 oz | 11.6 oz | 19.3 oz | 15.7 oz | 14.85 oz |
| Lining | 20D Recycled Pertex Quantum with PFAS-free DWR | 100% recycled nylon | 100% polyester | Polyester | 100% polyester |
| Number of Pockets | 2 zippered hand, 1 internal drop-in, 1 internal zippered chest | 2 zippered hand, 1 internal zippered chest | 2 zippered hand, 2 internal drop in | 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest, 2 internal drop-in | 2 zippered hand 2 internal drop in |
| Fit | Regular, slightly baggier | Regular | Baggier fit | Regular | Regular |
| Hem Type | Adjustable | Adjustable | Adjustable | Adjustable | elastic |
| Cuff Construction | Elastic | Elastic | Elastic | Elastic | Elastic |
Our Analysis and Test Results
This layer is relatively breathable when considering its amount of insulation, and is comfy to wear all day long. Credit: Zach Lovell
Likes
We were very impressed with the skin feel of the Rab Cirrus Flex Hooded, which has fleece-like fabric running up the inside of the sleeve, from the wrist up to the armpit and back down the torso to the hip. The neck also has the same cozy fabric, and we appreciate the softness on this exposed area of the body.
The Rab Cirrus Flex Hooded also has a phenomenally mobile construction, blending stretch fabrics and a relaxed cut. We climbed, belayed, biked, skied, and backpacked in this layer throughout our testing seasons, and always felt mobile in the Cirrus. This baffled layer also offers a decent level of warmth, and we were able to wear it by itself in cooler temperatures than much of the competition.
The Rab Cirrus Flex Hooded has a relaxed fit and some stretchy fabric used under the arms and around the neck, making for a relatively mobile jacket. Credit: Zach Lovell
Dislikes
In a men's medium, this is about a pound, which is on the heavier side for the group of jackets tested. It still works well for backpacking or other weight-conscious adventures, especially considering how warm it is, but it slightly inhibits its versatility.
While a more nitpicky detail, the hood of the Rab Cirrus Flex Hooded can't be cinched down with a drawstring, which is a fairly standard feature. Instead, Rab opted to use a slimmer hood profile. This made it relatively easy to fit over a hat, but in high winds the cold air crept in around our face.
The slim hood of the Cirrus is well shaped, but without a drawstring, it can't be tightened down in high winds. Credit: Zach Lovell
Should You Buy the Rab Cirrus Flex Hooded?
If you want the looks of a traditional down puffy but live in a damp climate, the Cirrus should be tossed in your shopping cart. It isn't the lightest layer out there, but it's cozy and comfy for long days in the cold. It's best for adventurers who don't consider weight or top-scoring breathability a priority. It's also substantially cheaper than the top-shelf competition.
The underarm fleece fabric helped make this warm layer more breathable and comfy. Credit: Zach Lovell
What Other Insulated Jackets Should You Consider?
If you want a warmer layer for winter camping, shoveling in the middle of a snowstorm, or getting around town in January, look no further than the Rab Nebitron Pro. This is essentially the bigger brother to the Cirrus and trades more insulation for reduced ventilation. If you'd like a more versatile layer that can even be worn indoors, the Cotopaxi Pacaya 2.0 Hooded is a lightweight jacket that layers well with other pieces and breathes very well.
—Zach Lovell
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