OUTDOORSmagic
 Home » Product Reviews > Softshell jackets > Rab Vapour-Rise Trail Smock ReviewsFriday 5 September 2008 | Help  
Free weekly newsletter!
Join OUTDOORSmagic now
Members can use the forum and gallery, receive a weekly newsletter and are eligible to win great prizes!
why join?  
Latest Reviews
6891 Total Reviews
Osprey Atmos 50
by Posty Pete
Primus Gravity PZ
by Peter Clinch
Pub Edale, Rambler
by steven smith 3
Silva Voyager 8010 Compass
by Prismatix
Silva Voyager 9020
by Prismatix
» Loads More Reviews
Sell your stuff!
Got gear to BUY or SELL?

Check out the OM classifieds and post an ad or see what's on offer.

Can't find what you want? There's always the wanteds section.

Travel Partners
Travel Partners
Exodus
Explore!
Inghams
 Rab Vapour-Rise Trail Smock
Bookmark this
Rab Vapour-Rise Trail Smock
More about Rab
Average Rating: 4 out of 5
No. of Reviews: 5
Weight: 477 grammes
RRP: £100
Year: from 2005

Description: Pertex Equilibrium outer with micro wicking inner. Shield water-resistant treatment, two venting mesh-lined chest pockets, drawcord hem and venting Velcro cuffs, two-way chest zip, wired peak hood which zips into collar. Women's VR jacket also available, but no smock version.
OM short review: Great balance between protection, breathability, wicking and venting - simple, but very effective with a close-fitting cut, so try before buying.

 REVIEWS
 
1 to 5 of 5 reviews, to post a review you need to be a member - Join now. 
Phil Walker 2 
Posted: 03/01/08
'NOT BEST QUALITY'
Strengths:
Breathable and windproof, quite light, great hood.
Weaknesses:
Fit is indeed tight and its too warm for all year round use, better for cooler months, loses a lot of water repellency after 1st wash
Overall:
I have the 07 jacket. 1st jacket I had, fabric pilled badly near pockets, I sent it back to Rab, not happy with that after paying £90 for it.

Replacement better, but the innner peice of fabric that holds the drawstring in place came away after a couple of months, and I now have to send it back to them for repair, in the winter when I need it most.

Superbly water repellent until after first wash with Grangers, then not so good,

Not too impressed with the quality, and its a bit of a slur on Rabs otherwise superb name.

 
Performance
 
80%
Reliability
 
60%
Value
 
60%
Overall Rating
 
67%
 
Tim Oliver 4 
Posted: 03/01/08
'BEST SOFT SHELL'
Strengths:
Great next to the skin - you don't need a base layer
Just the perfect balance of insulation, wicking and windproof
Deserves the Climber mag accolade of best soft shell
Water resistance will shrug off most showers
Hood good under a helmet - bit tight to go over one effectively.
Dries super fast
Lightweight
Good venting - works well over a range of temperatures
Weaknesses:
Fit is a bit tight - you may need to go up a size
Can be a bit of a faff to get on, but once on, it stays on.
Hood size needs to be larger to stick over a helmet, rather than under
Overall:
Brilliant. I use this year round - it's my base and mid layer for the winter under a Paramo shell, and works well over a range of temperatures. Great for most things active - climbing, mountain biking, walking etc. etc. Buy one. Or better - buy me another!
 
Performance
 
100%
Reliability
 
100%
Value
 
80%
Overall Rating
 
93%
 
Smeg 
Posted: 29/07/07
'TOP NOTCH JCKET'
Strengths:
I actually have the 06 Jacket versions with full zip.
Highly water resistant, it really does need to be nasty to need a hard-shell on top
Wicks brilliantly
Very comfy
Good pocket venting
Excellent hood that zips away tidy
Great cuffs that hold the sleeve where you want it, whether loose on wrist, covering your pulse point using the strap a thumb loop, or up to your elbows.
Looks great in red
Weaknesses:
No weak points really, it could only be improved by using water resistant zips, and having the hood adjusters internal as in a very strong wind I think it could whip your face. It really is great though
Overall:
When I first got it I ran it under a tap just out of curiosity, and fund it to be completely water resistant, very impressed, took if for a quick blast up Snowdon later first wearing a merino layer under, got fairly hot though, so took the base layer off, the jacket is so nice on your skin, very soft. Anyway got going and did sweat as usual, so undid the zip a little and opened the venting pockets, this worked a treat and I was well on my way. Nearing the top it started to lash it down, I honestly think this jacket could have taken it no problem but seeing as I had a brand new hard-shell to test too I flung that over the top (Rab Super Dru). Under this I was still very comfy, I did get a little moist but to be honest not much at all. After the worst of the weather passed off came the hard-shell and within 15-20 mins I was bone dry, warm comfy in just this top. I really am very impressed with it. I can see this getting a LOT of use, my hard-shell will only come out in the very worst of rains, and for snow and cold conditions the VR jacket will be perfect too.
 
Performance
 
100%
Reliability
 
100%
Value
 
100%
Overall Rating
 
100%
 
Mr Ed 
Posted: 28/05/07
'2007 MODEL- MIXED BAG'
Strengths:
The cut is excellent, the liner gives a surprising amount of warmth, the kangaroo pocket is great and the hood is fantastic- easily the best part of the jacket.
Weaknesses:
I ended up taking mine back for a full refund after a large amount of stitching came away on the inner fabric- i'm not saying that this would happen with every one but on my jacket the quality was pretty low. The outer fabric had also started to pill after less than 2 months use.
Overall:
Awesome design, cut, performance, but in my jacket the quality of construction just wasn't there.
 
Performance
 
80%
Reliability
 
40%
Value
 
60%
Overall Rating
 
60%
 
Steve Jones 6 
Posted: 28/02/07
'BRILLIANT!!!'
Strengths:
Wind and rain resistance, dries faily quickly, warm when wet, hood, pack size, soft and comfortable, good venting when you warm up.
Weaknesses:
The fit is quite tight and its not the easiest to get on which is partly because of the inner fabric but once on it feels great and you don't need to take it on and off. Works well under a waterproof shell
Overall:
Its great to find a top that feels good on, looks good and works well. Although getting it on is a bit of a struggle once on you don't want to take it off. Its probably worth the RRP but even better if you can find it on offer.
I got very wet wearing this in Wales and it still kept me warm, took a bit of time to dry out though.
 
Performance
 
80%
Reliability
 
100%
Value
 
80%
Overall Rating
 
87%
 
 MY REVIEW
 
You need to be a member to post a review. You can join here free.
Members Logon
Email:
Password:
forgot your
password?
Support our partners

Forum Hot Threads
534957 Total Messages
What is it all coming to?
by Tim Arnold
Which ultralight tent
by Tim Stakenb
Rain Rain go away
by Simon Chaplin
Still not sure as yet I'm exactly sold on the true value of these things!
by Trevor D Gamble
Over trousers
by Lostsheep...Red tents for goal posts...
» Loads More Threads

 Send to friend | Join Now ^ Top of Page
About OUTDOORSmagic
- About Us
- Privacy Policy
- Terms and Conditions

Subscribe to OUTDOORSMAGIC RSS news feed.
Contact Us
- Support
- Advertise with us
- FAQ
- Retailers: free site review
Affiliates
- Take our news for free
- RSS Feed
Magicalia Digital Publishing
Cycling
- BIKEmagic
- RoadCyclingUK
- SheCycles
- LondonCycleSport
- Visordown
- ProTourNews
Outdoors
- OUTDOORSmagic
- FISHINGmagic
- GOLFmagic
- TheMainSail
Lifestyle
- ThinkBaby
- Gardening.co.uk
- AVReview
- ThinkCamera
Hobbies
- ModelFlying
- MilitaryModelling
- ModelBoats
- GetWoodWorking

- Full Portfolio
© 1999-2008 Magicalia Ltd.