The best Rab waterproof jacket for most hikers is the Rab Downpour: a 2.5-layer Pertex Shield shell rated at 20,000 mm waterproof and 20,000 g/m² breathable, with pit zips, at around $100 to $140. If you count grams, the Downpour Light delivers the same ratings at roughly 219 g; if you climb or scramble and value stretch and breathability over storm-proofing, the Kinetic Alpine 2.0 is the specialist pick, with the caveat that its 10,000 mm rating is lower than the Downpour family’s.
Rab’s rain jacket range is split into clear families. The Downpour line covers everyday and trail rain protection, while the Kinetic line uses stretchy Proflex fabric that behaves more like a softshell. Knowing which family suits you matters more than chasing the newest model name.
Our top picks
Rab Men's Downpour Waterproof Jacket- Bring on the Downpour | Reliable rain jacket…
- Extremely Waterproof, Breathable | Pertex Shield fabric offers…
- Regular Fit | Easily layerable design ensures easy…
Rab Men's Downpour Mountain Jacket- Mountain Shell Made For Downpours | Rain jacket…
- Pertex Shield 2.5L | Waterproof, breathability ratings bonded…
- Fully Articulated, Regular Fit | Easily layerable design…
Rab Women's Downpour Waterproof Jacket- Bring on the Downpour | Light, packable rain…
- Extremely Waterproof, Breathable | Pertex Shield fabric offers…
- Regular Fit | Easily layerable design ensures easy…
| Product | Key specs | |
|---|---|---|
| Rab Men's Downpour Waterproof Jacket | Bring on the Downpour | Reliable rain jacket… Extremely Waterproof, Breathable | Pertex Shield fabric offers… Regular Fit | Easily layerable design ensures easy… | Check price |
| Rab Men's Downpour Mountain Jacket | Mountain Shell Made For Downpours | Rain jacket… Pertex Shield 2.5L | Waterproof, breathability ratings bonded… Fully Articulated, Regular Fit | Easily layerable design… | Check price |
| Rab Women's Downpour Waterproof Jacket | Bring on the Downpour | Light, packable rain… Extremely Waterproof, Breathable | Pertex Shield fabric offers… Regular Fit | Easily layerable design ensures easy… | Check price |
 Rab Men's Kinetic 2.0 Waterproof Jacket | Protection for Fast-Paced Adventures | With the stretch… Adjustable Hood | The under-helmet hood features a… Waterproof Zippers | Rab used YKK AquaGuard zippers… | Check price |
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Rab rain jacket comparison
| Jacket | Fabric | Waterproof (HH) | Breathability (MVTR) | Weight (men’s) | Pit zips | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rab Downpour | 2.5L Pertex Shield | 20,000 mm | 20,000 g/m²/24h | 377 g (13.3 oz), size M | Yes | $100–$140 |
| Rab Downpour Light | 2.5L Proflex, 20D stretch | 20,000 mm | 20,000 g/m²/24h | 219 g (7.7 oz) | No | $115–$165 |
| Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 | 3L Proflex stretch | 10,000 mm | 35,000 g/m²/24h | about 409–423 g | No | $230–$325 |
| Rab Downpour Eco (previous model) | 2.5L Pertex Shield Revolve, 50D | 20,000 mm | 20,000 g/m²/24h | about 320–360 g | Yes | Clearance only |
Rab Downpour: best all-rounder
The Rab Downpour is the jacket most people should start with. It replaced the long-running Downpour Eco and keeps the formula that made it popular: a 20,000 mm hydrostatic head, which is enough for long, heavy rain, matched with 20,000 g/m² breathability and pit zips to dump heat on climbs. Compared with the Eco, the fabric moves from recycled Pertex Shield Revolve to Pertex Shield while the waterproof and breathability ratings stay the same, so the jacket keeps its reputation as one of the strongest protection-for-money options in the category.
Choose it if: you want one rain jacket for hiking, backpacking, commuting and travel, and you value ventilation.
Limitations: as a 2.5-layer shell, the printed inner layer wears faster than a 3-layer lining under heavy pack straps, and at about 377 g it is not ultralight.
Rab Downpour Light: best for saving weight
The Downpour Light trims weight to about 219 g for men and around 202 g for women by switching to a 20-denier, 2.5-layer Proflex fabric with some stretch. Remarkably, it keeps the same 20,000 mm and 20,000 g/m² ratings as the standard Downpour. The cost of that weight saving is durability and ventilation: thin 20D fabric is more vulnerable to abrasion, and there are no pit zips.
Choose it if: you are a fast hiker, trail runner or traveller who carries a rain jacket “just in case” and wants it to take minimal pack space.
Limitations: not built for extended storms with a heavy pack, and it runs warmer on climbs without vents.
Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0: best for climbing and scrambling
The Kinetic Alpine 2.0 is a different kind of jacket. Its 3-layer Proflex fabric stretches and breathes like a softshell, with breathability rated at 35,000 g/m², well above the Downpour family. That makes it comfortable during sustained effort such as alpine approaches, scrambles and winter climbs, where you would otherwise sweat through a stiff shell. The trade-off is waterproofing: at 10,000 mm, it handles showers and moderate rain well, but in prolonged downpours the face fabric can wet out. It also lacks pit zips, relying on breathability instead.
Choose it if: you move fast in mountains, face mixed showers more than all-day storms, and want quiet, stretchy fabric that moves with you.
Limitations: highest price in the range and the lowest waterproof rating; not the pick for wet, multi-day backpacking.
A note on the Rab Kinetic name
Rab has used the Kinetic name across several generations of stretch waterproof jackets. The Kinetic Alpine 2.0 is the current alpine-focused model. If you see older Kinetic models on clearance, check the stated hydrostatic head and fabric before buying, because Proflex stretch jackets generally trade some waterproofing for comfort.
Which Rab jacket fits your use?
| Use | Best Rab choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Wet-climate backpacking | Downpour | 20,000 mm plus pit zips for long days |
| Ultralight hiking and trail running | Downpour Light | 219 g with the same ratings |
| Alpine climbing and scrambling | Kinetic Alpine 2.0 | Stretch and 35,000 g/m² breathability |
| Travel and city use | Downpour Light | Packs smallest, quiet fabric |
| Budget | Downpour (or clearance Downpour Eco) | Lowest price per mm of protection |
Understanding Rab’s fabrics
- Pertex Shield is a waterproof-breathable laminate used on the Downpour. It is a solid, crinkly-feeling fabric with good durability for the price.
- Proflex is Rab’s own stretch waterproof membrane, used on the Downpour Light and Kinetic models. It is quieter and softer, at some cost in robustness.
- 2.5-layer vs 3-layer: 2.5-layer jackets use a printed protective layer inside instead of a full lining, which saves weight but wears faster. The 3-layer Kinetic Alpine 2.0 has a bonded inner fabric that resists abrasion better.
Care tips for Rab jackets
- Wash with a technical cleaner on a gentle synthetic cycle; avoid fabric softener and powder detergents.
- Tumble dry on low to refresh the water repellent finish; modern PFC-free DWR treatments generally need refreshing more often than older finishes.
- Reproof with a wash-in or spray-on treatment when water stops beading on the shoulders and forearms.
- For the Downpour Light, avoid heavy pack loads and rough rock to protect the thin 20D face.
Bottom line
For most buyers, the Downpour is the best Rab waterproof jacket, offering 20,000 mm protection, ventilation and a fair price. The Downpour Light is the choice when every gram matters, and the Kinetic Alpine 2.0 is a specialist tool for active mountain days where comfort and stretch outweigh maximum storm protection.
