Rab's Newest Do-It-All Mountain Insulated Jacket | The Cirrus Ultra | Review

James takes us through the main features of Rab's newest insulated jacket, the Cirrus Ultra. The Cirrus range has been a staple in the outdoor community for years and is one of our best-sellers. This year ‪@RabEquipment‬ has really stepped it up by combining their new heat-reflective TILT lining with new insulation that lofts like down and performs in the wet like a synthetic jacket, the Cirrus Ultra really is ready for everything.
To learn more about this fantastic insulated jacket head to our website |
Men's | www.outside.co...
Women's | www.outside.co...
#climbing #iceclimbing #mountaineering #expedition #winterclimbing #ukwinter

[@border304]

I'd imagine pretty much all year round here in Scotland. Summer and winter aren't that different. At least in terms of how wet it gets.

[@OutsideHathersage]

@@border304 too right!

[@jonarific8504]

Really thorough review thanks. I have a patagonia nano for similr reasons you say about down in the damp UK. I assume this is much warmer? I find the nano has its limits and wonder about upgrading for winter but with versatility for staying warmer than down if wetted through.

[@OutsideHathersage]

@@jonarific8504 I would say noticeably warmer than a nano puff. Much thicker with out being much heavier. Also warm very quickly with the tilt liner.

[@wizzoneill]

Would be interested in comparison with the P Oreus from Mountain Equipment

[@OutsideHathersage]

coming up soon!

[@craigmorris6306]

Nice jacket

[@Nordictor78]

Perfect for Norwegian weather 😅

[@robbrigham5926]

Give it pit zips to help with the breathability and it would be much better

[@OutsideHathersage]

Very much a jacket built for maximum warmth for weight ratio. Pit zips at wright and cost and would lose some heat.

[@KiritSankarGupta]

How would you say this compares to the nebula pro? Also is the outer fabric durable ripstop, like it is on some other Rab puffers?

[@OutsideHathersage]

@@KiritSankarGupta the cirrus ultra feels warmer in testing than the Nebula. The tilt lining helps with this and also it means it feels warm quicker reflecting the heat you create. It also packs smaller than the nebula. The face fabric can stand up to abrasion quite well but could snag like all light jackets. Extra tough face fabric can add a lot of weight and take away the pack size, which is where the cirrus excels

[@lesallan4042]

Has any manufacturer tried sheep’s wool fluffed up as the insulation in these jackets? It would help the wool industry if it worked .

[@OutsideHathersage]

@@lesallan4042 they have, particularly Salewa. Seems to work better as a breathable warm jacket to leave on rather than a mega packable warm jacket for static use. Mainly as not as compressible as down.

[@louisc7]

How does it compare to Xenair Alpine Jacket? Thanks

[@OutsideHathersage]

Xenair alpine is more breathable and hence more for active use. The cirrus ultra will offer more warmth for the weight and pack size but not as breathable. So the cirrus is better for static use. Hope this helps

[@louisc7]

​@@OutsideHathersageThanks

[@hendrixinfinity3992]

Hydrophobic down negates almost all of the points against down in this video. I've faced torrential rain conditions and tarp failures this year and haven't needed to reproof my down sleeping bag since its still lofting. my jacket does need a go with some nikwax but I'll do that when my bag starts getting clumpy, or i get bored, whatever comes first. My Life Outdoors did a video on Downtek, worth a watch. Currently the only reason not to get down is price or functionality. If you want an insulated jacket that you can wear while being active in UK winters, at least below Hadrian's wall, synthetic is pretty much it.

[@Globetrotter-1]

I disagree and prefer down jackets for all conditions year round, winter ❄️ snow storms, severe cold weather, or heavy rains.

[@craigdavies1747]

Definitely prefer synthetic even if I need an extra few layers.

[@Globetrotter-1]

I'm completely opposite and will always prefer down clothing in all conditions.

[@ben2515]

But I do want this to be waterproof - then it genuinely does it all!

[@OutsideHathersage]

@@ben2515 think would increase cost and bulk. For technical hill use its usually better if they are all separate layers. That way if you over heat yet it's still wet out you can remove the insulation layer and leave the shell. And vice versa. However a warm , waterproof jacket like to the Rab Valiance is pretty useful as a general winter jacket!

[@hendrixinfinity3992]

Then get a parka. Good for walking the dog and watching the kids play football and that's about it. Some people around my way even walk around in Dry Robes.

[@garfieldissatan]

AMAZING VIDEO!

[@OutsideHathersage]

Thank you

[@Globetrotter-1]

Nothing beats duck and goose down. The waterproof breathable down jackets are perfect and beat synthetics in every condition.

[@rcole134]

To be specific, nothing beats down when it comes to it's warmth to weight ratio. Outside of that though, it's not so simple as it varies alot depending on what you are doing and where you are doing it.

[@Globetrotter-1]

@@rcole134 I use down clothing for everything, including my sleeping bags. My Rab Batura goose down expedition jacket, for example, is ultra-warm and totally waterproof during heavy storms of rain, sleet, snow or gales in the mountains or winter in the forests. During severe cold & storms I'll add Mountain Equipment Expedition goose down pants. It I'm mainly static for prolonged periods I'll change my Scarpa Manta boots for Rab Expedition Goose down boots, fitted inside Outdoor Research Brooks Rangers Gore-Tex overboots. For more active use while trekking or climbing, I'll pack a North Face Summit Guide Gore-Tex jacket and Mountain Equipment Senja down jacket. For winter sleeping, I use a Rab 1100 down -25C sleeping bag if in a car or tent/bivvy. If I'm sleeping on top of an exposed mountain in winter with no bivvy or tent, then I'll use a Mountain Hardwear Ghost SL -40C/-40f 800 goose down waterproof sleeping bag.

[@thrash123ful]

Hmmm that a first i've heard that down is water proof.I have both for for longevity and getting wet Synthetic is the way to go.

[@Globetrotter-1]

@@thrash123ful A synthetic is NOT waterproof 😂 (Unless it's a fully plastic Mac that is totally unbreathable and a sweat box). A synthetic material needs a waterproof membrane underneath the outer layer (such as Gore-Tex/sympatex etc) and then a DWR coating on the outer layer to make the water droplets 'bead'. Modern goose and duck down is also treated in a water repellent process to prevent it from absorbing water, and then the outer shell is given a waterproof & breathable membrane (such as Pertex Shield) plus an outer DWR coating. My goose down jacket 🧥 and goose down sleeping bag are both breathable and totally waterproof.

[@thrash123ful]

@@Globetrotter-1 All those DWR treatments are not water proof but water resistant and are temporary after a little time it wears off. Its not the down thats weather resistant its the DWR.If one was to get wet the Synthetic would dry much faster.Both have pluses and negatives depending on what you want.

[@TimothyHall-k1u]

Parker Ridge

[@JoeannIntrieri-b9p]

Heather Cape

[@comounrayo]

When people talks about the disadvantages of down, why nobody mentions the fact that animals have to die for it to be produced? Choose synthetic o admit you hate animals.

[@gregvanpaassen]

Almost anything is better than a down jacket. Get it wet, it's useless. It has to be babied constantly. In any environment with actual weather, or if you're going out for more than a couple of hours, leave your down at home. Polartec alphatech, a polyester fleece midlayer, and a good raincoat works best for me. Rab is frustrating. Most of their gear is almost good, but let down by one or two misfeatures. In this case, no armpit vents. And Rab is pricy.

[@penninewild5970]

Down jackets were never invented for wet UK climates they were invented for dry alpine activities. Down is superior in terms of warmth and longevity whereas synthetic wears out when it's been crumpled a few thousand times whereas down is still going strong. Every type of garment has its own strengths and weaknesses .

[@grahamjones2454]

Utter bollocks, I’m fed up of Rab marketing and price nonsense!! Much cheaper brands just as good!!! 😡

[@OutsideHathersage]

@@grahamjones2454 fair enough.

[@Neil-clare]

I’d put my rab expedition batura jacket against this jacket! Made in Sheffield with eider down properly made in the uk…not made in China like they are now.

[@coops1964]

03:55 "Its not fully waterproof". I live in England so its no good to me. Stopped watching.

[@RaP22]

Apart from a goretex shell, what the hell you want. This video is for warm jackets, go search KZbin for rain jackets...

[@cappaslangmurderer]

The orange hood liner doesn't look good with zipped down that wee bit