.JPG) Going to buy a sythetic filled jacket. Tried on a few last week. Rab Generator was the best fit - nice long sleeves. I am a medium generally - tried Montane Prism2.0 - even the large is a bit short for me in length and sleeves (didn't feel particularly warm either) I wear medium ok in Litespeed and FL Smock. So, anyone have any experience how robust is(n't) the pertex quantum fabric. Needle Sports claim you can't use it as an outer with a pack - is this true? I don't think it would fit well under my current montane windshirts due to the longer sleeves/body. I will be using the jacket mainly for rest stops, backpacking - campwear and sleeping in. Prefer a jacket to smock, as more versatile as a mini quilt.
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 I've got the smock and I must confess I've not tried it for robustness. As you know, it feels incredibly light and delicate, but it does appear to have a rip-stop construction? Not really much help, but I probably wouldn't wear mine as the outer layer under a pack. I think it if was cold enough to need it whilst walking I could happily put my Super Dru over the top.
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 I have a Generator vest which I wear under my outer layer (wether it be waterproof or windproof) when the temp drops
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 Most definately not designed for using as an OUTER with a heavy backpack.I purchased one for a fiver at the Rab factory shop last year.It had been worn as an outer with a heavy backpack and the material had all crunched up-Hence the bargain price.
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 Brilliant garment, currently sat at work with mine on, I keep mine in a dry bag and weekedays its in my work bag and weekends its in my rucksack, it comes out whenever its cold basically and days like today I wear it to and from work, had it a few years and its as it was the day I bought it. Not really to be used as a constant outer layer so have never done so as I don't spend £90 just to try and see if things can be pushed to there limits, but for what it is designed it can't be beaten! Get the jacket and not the smock, its way more versitile and comfy.
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 I've worn the Generator jacket under a daysack on a number of days - no problems with the Pertex Quantum lining. Great jacket
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Thanks everyone - reckon I'l be getting it later this week!
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I always carry the Generator smock as part of merino wool, 100 fleece, windproof / waterproof layering which seems to cover most trekking situations. The pertex quantum outer seems to be robust with no apparent wear, but I always wear the smock under the windproof top when carrying a sack. The smock is more comfortable than the jacket under an outer layer, I reckon
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I justed my Generator for the first time as an outer on a cold February day in the Lakes - a four hour walk up and around Cat Bells. I had a lightweight twenty litre pack on. Finished the walk and noticed abrasion damage on the right arm where the straps had been. The material bunches up and has kinda fused together - not happy! Rab say this material (Pertex Quantum) is not designed to be a regular outer. Pertex.com give this material 2 out of 5 for Durability.
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 have you had any problems wuith other garments mark like pilling, pulls etc. some rucksack straps are death to a lot of fabrics. and what you wear under your shell can also play havoc with the lining where it rubs e.g. pilling. it sounds like your pack is to blame rather than the fabric.
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 > some rucksack straps are death to a lot of fabrics Indeed; they're coarse and tend to snag the fibres of microfibre materials, causing the puckering Mark has noticed. Can sometimes be recovered somewhat by gripping either side of the damage and jiggling the fabric back and forth under tension, to pull the snagged fibres back into the thread bundles...
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 Hi folks, Heres my two pence worth I just had a peek at the pertex website and all the materials have a 2 star durability rating. I used a Rab VR Jacket for 3 years and the Equilibrium never got damaged by a pack, I sold it on and got a Montane Prism 2 which is a better all round soft shell and have had no issues yet with the Microlight Fabric. I also use a Geneartor vest which uses Quantum and that has held up well enough. I am very careful when using any of the above mentioned kit and the straps on my two OMM sacks I use aren't very abbrasive. I even tried Pertex shield in Rabs Slipstream but I sold it on after a few uses and got a Montane Quickfire instead beacuse of the slipstreams crap storm flap setup. I have been told by various outdoor stores and read online reviews that Pertex Endurance is the way to go. I am on hunt at the moment for a jacket to replace my Haglofs Barrier Hood, I have done a lot of research on the pertex fabrics, I am seriously thinking of buying the Rab Generartor alpine. Cheers, Stephen
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i never have any problems with my omm pack straps. they're very soft. other brands of pack aren't so forgiving. i've had a few rather nice tops effectively trashed by pack straps. it's very annoying. it's also something that is NEVER mentioned in pack reviews either. it can be the best pack in the world but not if it "shreds" yer clothes. belts, trouser loops and all sorts of under stuff are equally pertinent too - especially if you wear something like paramo and the liner is getting pilled. it's rarely poor quality fabric but rather poor quality pack straps/belts. i think i'll start another thread.
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Have used the Rab Generator jacket under Osprey packs - often in winter after donning the primaloft at a summit to descend. No problems so far
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