Rab Xenair Alpine Review

The Rab Xenair Alpine is a breathable insulated layer designed for a wide variety of activities. Whether you decide on climbing, skiing, or walking the dog, the Xenair keeps you warm without getting sweaty. The jacket is filled with 133 grams per square meter of Primaloft Gold Insulation Active+, a 20D Pertex Quantum Air with a fluorocarbon-free DWR exterior, and a 20D recycled nylon lining. It offers an adjustable hem and hood and plenty of storage with two zippered chest pockets and two zippered hand pockets.

Performance Comparison

Warmth

The Xenair Alpine is an active insulated jacket that proved to be quite warm even when the temps really dropped. Offering Primaloft insulation in the front, back, sides, arms, and hood, helps you retain your body heat even when standing still. The hem is long enough to cover your rear with two bungee adjustments to cinch down against the wind. The sleeves are long enough to keep you protected when stretching and have soft elastic cuffs and Velcro closure to tighten down more.

The Xenair zips up nice and high and easily protects your neck and lower face from the wind. The adjustable hood with semi-elasticated face opening and stiffened peak easily covers a winter hat and is large enough to accommodate most helmets. The lower pockets have insulation on both sides to keep your hands protected from the elements, and all four pockets zip closed to keep the wind out. The jacket sits close to the body and may have a slight athletic fit, but it doesn't impede movement when active. The soft and flexible fabric allows it to cover a fleece or easily fit under a shell when things get frigid.

Comfort

The Xenair may be one of the most comfortable insulated jackets we have tested. The slight puff of the insulation combined with the flexible and silky soft fabric make it seem like you're wrapped in a thin, soft sleeping bag. The hood is insulated with soft fabric on the inside and bungee adjustment to cinch when needed. The hem has dual adjustment, allowing it to protect your backside when needed or raise up the waist if you need mobility or less warmth. The dual zipper is also a nice addition if you want to keep your upper torso protected, but access a harness or belt.

The cuffs feature a soft elasticated gusset on the inside of the wrist and a Velcro closure on the outside if you are using gloves. The shoulders offer plenty of room for movement, and the sleeves are articulated for mobility. The seams on the jacket are not noticeable during use, and the lightweight feel of the jacket, combined with breathability, makes it enjoyable to wear all day long.

Weather Resistance

The 20D Pertex of the Xenair did a fabulous job blocking the wind when things picked up, and we didn't notice any flow through the zippers. The pockets all have an overhang to protect from the wind and water, and the cinch at the wrist, hem, and hood added extra protection. The hood has a stiffened peak that also offers some protection for your eyes from the elements and the sun.

When things get a little wet, the flexible fabric offers a DWR coating and does not have weak points like baffle seams to allow water to seep through. We found that the outer layer will bead light precipitation well enough, but if things get heavier then it does soak into the insulation. Luckily, the water never made it into the inside layer, and the synthetic Primaloft insulation will still keep you warm even when wet. The Xenair Alpine is great for those cold and windy days when the forecast may include snow and not heavy rain.

Portability

The medium Xenair Alpine jacket we tested weighs in at 18.30 ounces. The Rab is one of the heavier jackets on our list but it does offer a lot of nice features for its weight and is quite warm.

The Xenair is one of the jackets that doesn't stuff into its own pocket or include a stuff sack for storage. The flexible fabric and synthetic insulation mean you could compress it into a smaller package if you needed to squirrel it away for later use though. However, you might not spend the time compressing it into a small package if you need to use it again quickly. This jacket is light enough to carry in your hand, hang from a harness, or stuff into a backpack.

Breathability

The Xenair Alpine was one of the higher-scoring insulated jackets when it came to breathability. We felt it was one of the few jackets where we could exert ourselves and not have to remove it after warming up. When the weather turns cold and you must work hard, you can leave this jacket on without ending up sweaty, shivering, and miserable.

The dual front zipper allows you to open the top or bottom for some extra ventilation, and the cuffs have enough stretch to slide up to the elbows. As mentioned before, the hem can also be slid up and cinched so it doesn't cover as much surface area. If you decide to unzip the jacket completely, it is light enough that the hood and overall weight don't pull it off your shoulders when moving. We liked how well this jacket kept us warm and blocked the wind but allowed for good breathability.

Should You Buy the Rab Xenair Alpine?

The Xenair Alpine is a cozy insulated jacket that can fit a lot of uses. We really liked it as a stand-alone layer for cold temps, and it worked great as a mid-layer when things got frigid. If you are looking for an insulated jacket that's waterproof, this one doesn't quite fit the bill, though it wicks water reasonably well. The Xenair does have a lot of nice features like soft lining, multiple pockets, wind resistance, flexibility, and adjustability, which make this a versatile jacket for many outdoor activities where warmth and breathability are a must.

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