Rab Cirrus Flex Hooded - Women's Review

The Rab Cirrus Flex Hooded jacket combines lofty synthetic insulated panels around the core, with stretchy fleece under the arms. The result is a jacket with excellent breathability and freedom of movement, but effective warmth where you need it. This strategic construction maintains heat without bulk, and was our top choice for outdoor cardio in cold temperatures. The stretch fleece panels essentially mold to your body, eliminating the need for adjustment tabs. It's easy to layer beneath a shell too, making it a versatile option for everything from hiking and climbing to around-town wear.

Warmth

The Rab Cirrus Flex provides a good amount of warmth for its relatively lightweight construction, and feels sufficiently warm for most chilly fall and winter days. Synthetic insulation throughout the torso and outer arms helps trap body heat without adding much bulk. We particularly like it for activities where we're moving fast, since it provides enough insulation to keep us comfortable without feeling overly hot. “This jacket is great for cold weather hiking, and extra cold cross country skiing,” said our lead tester. Fitted cuffs help prevent cold air from sneaking up the sleeves, and the stretchy fleece panels ensure no air can get in through gaps in the hem.

The wide fleece panels running along the sides and underarms are both a benefit and a drawback when it comes to warmth. They allow excess heat to escape, which is great when you're hiking uphill or working up a sweat to regulate heat and keep moisture from building up inside the jacket, but they let much more cold air through than the insulated portions of the jacket. On windy days, we noticed that the Cirrus doesn't hold onto heat as well as jackets with a continuous shell, and gusts can sneak through the fleece areas. It's warm enough to wear on its own in milder weather, but we'd go for a heavier jacket or an additional shell for blustery, blizzard conditions.

Comfort

The Rab Cirrus Flex lives up to the “flex” part of its name, with the stretchy fleece side panels. Thanks to this extra stretch, this jacket is super easy to move in and allows for full range of motion, compared to some jackets with continuous outer shells without stretch that feel tight around the shoulders. The fleece panels help the jacket feel less bulky and less stiff. Our testers found the fleece panels to be especially great when carrying a backpack or layering over top of the Cirrus, since it doesn't have as much bulk and bunching. Since the stretch eliminates the need for adjustment tabs, the Cirrus has less adjustability than other jackets, relying on the stretch to keep the hem and hood in place. “I love the fleece backer when you zip the jacket all the way up, giving it an extra cozy feel when you're hiding from storms,” said our lead tester.

The Cirrus runs a bit slimmer than other jackets in our lineup and can be challenging to pull on over chunky or extra-thick sweaters, and can catch on other fabric. While the stretchy panels help accommodate movement, there isn't a ton of extra room for bulky layers underneath, and the fleece material can snag on heavy knits. If you prefer a roomier fit or plan to wear thick layers underneath often, consider sizing up — although if you go too large, you won't be able to adjust the hem.

Weather Resistance

The Cirrus offers decent protection against wind and light precipitation, although its hybrid, breathable construction means it isn't the most weather-resistant jacket. The insulated portions of the jacket have a protective outer fabric that helps shed light rain and snow, and the synthetic, warm-when-wet insulation is a nice advantage in damp conditions. For passing showers, light snowfall, and chilly days with a bit of wind, it provides a useful amount of protection. “I wouldn't rely on it as our only outer layer when the forecast calls for prolonged rain or heavy storms,” noted our lead tester.

While the fleece panels are one of our favorite features for comfort and breathability, they're the biggest weak point when it comes to weather protection. Wind and water can pass through these areas more easily, and the knit fabric isn't nearly as effective at shedding moisture as the rest of the jacket. The Cirrus is much better suited to cold, relatively dry weather than truly sub-zero temperatures or heavy, wet precipitation. For a jacket designed with active use in mind, we think the weather protection is reasonable, but there are better options for bitterly cold storm days.

Everyday Versatility

The Rab Cirrus Flex is a great option for anyone looking for a jacket that can transition easily between outdoor activities and everyday life. Its lightweight construction and comfortable fit make it easy to throw in your pack for hiking, climbing, traveling, or running errands around town. We especially appreciate the relatively slim profile, which looks nice with casual clothes without having the bulky appearance of a traditional puffy jacket. It's also a useful weight for spring and fall, when temperatures can change throughout the day and you don't necessarily want to carry a heavy jacket.

The Rab Cirrus is fairly easy to incorporate into your layering system, which adds quite a bit to its overall versatility. It's warm enough to wear on its own during cool weather, but thin enough to slide underneath a shell when the weather turns. The stretchy side panels make it a great option for activities that require lots of movement, and the temperature regulation gives it a wider range of comfort than many other jackets. That said, it isn't as warm as others for cold, windy winter conditions. “The slim fit limited how much I could wear underneath,” said our lead tester. We wouldn't choose it for situations where we expect to spend long periods standing around in the cold. It also has a less effective and challenging-to-use stuff pocket design, compared to other jackets in the review.

Breathability

Thanks to the generously-sized fleece side panels, the Rab Cirrus is one of the more breathable insulated jackets in our lineup. These stretchy panels allow heat and moisture to escape much more easily than a fully insulated shell, making the jacket particularly comfortable when you're on the move. “This was one of my favorite jackets of the review for cold weather hiking, but it's more comfortable with a very thin base layer underneath,” noted one of our reviewers.

The Cirrus still has enough insulation that it can feel too warm during strenuous activity like running, particularly when temperatures are mild. The insulated front, back, and sleeves obviously don't release heat as easily as the fleece panels. “On days any warmer than 40, or if I picked up the pace, I still had to take the Cirrus off,” said a tester. It still isn't necessarily the most breathable jacket we tested, though it does have specific features to perform well here. Its best use is for more moderate activity in cold temperatures.

Should You Buy the Rab Cirrus Flex?

The Rab Cirrus Flex is a great choice for anyone who wants a comfortable, breathable insulated jacket that can handle a wide variety of activities, all for a decent price. We especially like the stretchy fleece panels, which make it easy to move around and help keep you from overheating when you're working hard. It's relatively lightweight and packable, and has a flattering fit that works just as well around town as it does on the trail. While it isn't the warmest or most weather-resistant jacket we've tested, we think those are reasonable trade-offs for the extra breathability and comfort. If you're looking for a versatile jacket for hiking, camping, travel, and everyday wear, the Cirrus is well worth considering.

What Other Women's Insulated Jackets Should You Consider?

If you like the breathable construction of the Rab Cirrus Flex, the Arc'teryx Atom is even more versatile and comfortable, with a more relaxed fit. For something warmer with better protection against wind and precipitation, check out the Patagonia DAS Light Hoody. It's loftier and more protective, making it a better choice for cold weather adventures, although it doesn't breathe as well as the Cirrus. The DAS Light also has much more room underneath for bulky layers. If you're primarily looking for an affordable jacket for everyday winter use, the Columbia Heavenly Hoody offers plenty of warmth and comfort for less money, but it's heavier and less suited to active pursuits.