Hope that someone can help a bit. I have a Vapourise trail jacket and a latok, both RAB obviously. After 2 years of an easy life the trail main zip has given up the ghost and the jacket is finished, the latok has been back twice to RAB and replaced twice in the forst year (almost no use) because the main zip and then the pocket zip has broken. The elastics on the hems are stretched and not good and generally both jackets look dead/finished. I am a bit disheartened with RAB and they have not answered any of my emails about this situation.
I am now in a dilema, I am after a soft shell for spring/summer/autumn alpine mountaineering, mostly summer as I am turning into a fair weather and responsible father type at the great age of 40! I have 2 soft shells in mind, the Marmot Super Hero of the RAB-Baltoro Alpine. For obvios reasons I have major reservations about the RAB Baltoro but I really like the spec and write up that it gets and would have bought this without a second thought if I hadn't had the problems of the past.
If anyone has any comments or thoughts could they please reply.
Don't give more money to people that have screwed you. Specs and write-ups are usually all about new kit, rarely about how it lasts. There's posts all over this forum about RAB clobber not lasting very well, and their dismissive attitude to customers.
Rab stuff with zips here... that'll be the Q600, which uses YKK coils, which are as good as they get, so no argument with those. Don't know if the clothing uses the same as the bags though (never felt "dismissed" by their customer service, btw, they were rather helpful with Qs fielded before the Q600 was bought).
Arcteryx gamma mx hoody £160 or Mountain equipment Astron Hoody are worth a look,. I have both and they seem the best of the breed (powershield)- They are well thought out with a great design and after years of use are still going strong>
Had the Rab Baltoro Guide, but got rid, as too heavy and had design/quality issues. The Marmot has no hood/heavy and not so breathable?
I had to return a pair of vapour rise trousers a few months ago because they had split beneath the knee within days of receiving them. They were replaced by the shop, but I strongly believe that RAB standards have plummeted.
I've only owned one Rab jacket and I am having problems with the zips, I've only worn it a bunch of time around town and to walk the dog (maybe 30-40hrs worth of wear) and the zips are messing up. Not too much of a problem as I wear my montane instead!
Can't speak for the Rab, but I have a Super Hero and its brilliant. It does have a hood, which rolls in to the collar and is never shown on photos...but is definitely there. Its a decent hood at that with a reasonably stiff peak and decent adjustment.
In terms of breathability I've not had any issues either. Although it has no direct venting (i.e. pitzips), the underarm material is made from a thin wicking material, fairly similar to what you would get on a base layer, which seems to allow very good amounts of venting.
Main zip on my Rab Super Dru started opening under stress at the bottom after a year's use. 18 months later and the jacket's knackered. I think it's not a Rab issue specifically, simply a reflection on the flimsiness of current lightweight kit, so I intend replacing it soon with something tougher (and heavier). The previous Lowe jacket lasted 10 years and still had plenty of life in it (but weighed twice as much...).
