Hi, My Old Rab Photon is getting pretty tatty these days and at some point I'm going to have to replace it. Rab don't make them anymore: the new one's much thicker with Primaloft sport (no use when it gets wet) and the belay jacket is way too bulky. Does anyone else make anything like the old Rab Photon? Before anyone suggests it I've looked at the ME Fitzroy, and that's totally different, and their citadel would be close if it had far less Primaloft - not looking for a down replacement. It's odd that no-one seems to have filled the gap left by the Rab jacket. Has anyone else found a suitable replacement? Cheers.
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 I had the old Photon hoody, till my son pinched it. I replaced it with the Generator Alpine Hoody. P1 and Pertex Endurance.
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Yes, I was just doing a comparison on the web and realised that that jacket is pretty close to the old style Photon, bit heavier is all.
Was a bit put of by the shininess of it when I saw one in a shop a last year, and thought it wouldn't stuff so well into the bottom of my day sack, but I'll give it another look when the stores get them in again. Was possibly wrong about the stuffability of it. Its odd how no-one else makes anything similar though.
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| Edited: 14/09/11 19:51 |
Its odd how no-one else makes anything similar though.
I think the manufacturers know that most folk just see 'Primaloft', and don't realise the various kinds. P1 is definately the top of the pile imo.
The Endurance shell probably accounts for the slight weight increase.
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Its not just that, there seem to be quite a few jackets that have too little Primaloft or too much. 100g of P1 in the body seems about right for an all year round UK jacket, not too heavy not too light, quantum lining so it's comfortable next to the skin, and a hood. Yet Rab is the only company that seems to do that. Odd. You'd have thiought they'd have had more competition.
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.JPG) berghaus do one very similar. as do others. i.e. 100g pl body 60g arms n hood. cannot link as on phone. ps thought sport just as water tolerant. just less compressible slightly heavier for it's insulating value (or vice versa -slightly less insulating for the wirght compared to PL1!). sposed to hold its loft better long term than pl1 so swings n roundabouts? my old photon definitely lost lots loft within a years use., edit here you go Berghaus Ignite Hoody Review
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| Edited: 14/09/11 21:06 |
ps thought sport just as water tolerant. just less compressible slightly heavier for it's insulating value (or vice versa -slightly less insulating for the wirght compared to PL1!). sposed to hold its loft better long term than pl1 so swings n roundabouts? Berghaus Ignite Hoody Review
Thanks for the link. I've read in a few places on the web that sport is not as warm or compressible or as water resistant as 1, hence cheaper and probably why the new photon is so thick, they had to increase the sport insulation to make it as warm as before. Using sport on a jacket as pricey as a photon is pretty cheap of them. The new one, eco, is apparently even less warm than sport, and the new P1 is supposed to be warmer than last years P1. There are stats on the net for relative warmth. Actually that Berhaus looks just the job. Definately give that one a look. Thanks.
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| Edited: 14/09/11 21:22 |
 I did an online comparison of insulated jackets, I'm waiting to pass through some shops to try to fit before I buy something, but I'd call out that the PHD Kappa has 133g of PL1 in the core and a bettr-than-average waterproof outer. I was a concerned a little tooo warm, as said 100g is more generally useful and augment with baselayer selections.
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Yes, the Kappa looks too warm and heavy for all year use, graded to -5C so I'd say that makes it more of a competitor to down than a year round jacket. Pretty heavy too at 640g.
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 Montane Flux is 100/60, not a superlightweight thing. Uses Primaloft Eco rather than PL1, mind you. Finisterre do some nice looking bits of gear also using Primaloft Eco, though they're out of stock of their hoodies. Is Primaloft Sport really no use when it is wet? That sound a bit surprising.
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no use? not really -over egging it a bit to say 'no use' - it's not as good as PL1 but not that bad. (keep clicking diagrams and more details for .....more details!)
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The solution is of course to 'not get it wet'. I've managed that okay so far with my down gear  Mostly accomplished by avoiding cold, wet conditions, admittedly.
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Arcteryx Atom SV hoody, 100g Coreloft (think it may even be rebranded Primaloft), and 475g total weight.
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Arcteryx Atom SV hoody, 100g Coreloft (think it may even be rebranded Primaloft), and 475g total weight. Too pricey at £200, and woven elasticated wrists not good for warmer weather Nope, Rab Generator Alpine Hoody and Berghaus Ignite Hoody seem the only two, with the Berghaus being the closest I think to the original classic Photon.
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A late second thumbs up for the Arcteryx Atom SV hoody!
I've had a couple of the synthetic Rabs which I loved, but this Atom blows them away! The material, the cut, the weight, the hood adjustability, the warmth...it even looks like a "real coat" i.e. you can wear it to town and nobody thinks the Martians have landed! And did I mention the warmth? If it's cold enough to need a 100g synthetic-fill jacket then you need it to be warm so, while I had my doubts about the cuffs, they do keep everything snug with no draughts and they feel great. Mind you I'm writing this from Canada,where this thing was designed and where adjustable cuffs are somewhat redundant. If I was back in Sussex I suppose I might feel differently, but then my Rab Generator had elastic cuffs and that was fine. It's not as if you are going to want a 100-fill jacket for active use anyway - for that, even the fabulous 60g-fill Rab Xenon is sometimes too much!
Back to the Atom SV: if you see one on sale or on a trip to Canada or the USA where the prices are better, then I'd strongly recommend checking this jacket out. Arcteryx design and quality is more than worth the premium price tag...OK, I'll confess: I'm smitten!
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| Edited: 21/11/11 04:32 |
Hi Im looking to replace an old style fleece with a synthetic insulating layer...have been looking at the Rab Xenon and the Arc'teryx Atom SV hoody....the RAB looks a bit short and less fitting than the Arcteryx...have Arcteryx stuff already which love....just not sure on whether to go for the RAB or the Arcteryx...can anyone make any recommendations please?
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FYI RAB put the body length in their descriptions
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 I would have a look at Finisterre, the Sastruga is 166gm in the body and 525grams apparently. I've got a Xenon, great piece of kit and probably my most used last year, would be wary of using it as an active layer under a rucksack though, I dont think the Pertex Quantum GL would stand up to much heavy abrasion
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