The winds have been whipping excessive on the ridge, and cumulonimbus clouds have been constructing — the proper indicators to throw on a layer. As I bought knocked round by gusts deep within the Kofa Wilderness of Arizona, I tossed on my Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 Jacket and remained hyper-focused on not stumbling into one of many leaping cholla cacti that consumed the realm, a battle I’d ultimately lose … a number of instances.
On one among these events, the uber-stretchable Kinetic Alpine 2.0 took the hit. The woven Proflex cloth was sturdy sufficient to maintain me from being impaled. And, after I bought again to the automotive, I used to be impressed not to have the ability to find the place these two dozen cholla spines had entered the jacket. To not point out, I barely even broke a sweat whereas mountaineering uphill, because of its top-notch breathability.
Rain jackets are available an enormous spectrum of higher for this and higher for that specialties, and for the instances you want unimpeded mobility over all else — equivalent to on my scrambling mission — the softshell-like Kinetic Alpine 2.0 from Rab is honed for the job. Over my month of testing in a stormy spring within the American Southwest, the Kinetic Alpine 2.0 proved itself to be a reliable companion.
In brief: The Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 is a first-class rain jacket in the case of consolation and efficiency. Its capability to be a water-resistant layer with the texture and breathability of a stretchy softshell means it excels for high-output actions equivalent to mountaineering, peak bagging, scrambling, and climbing when chilly winds or stormy climate might be a menace.
To see how the Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 Jacket compares to essentially the most protecting jackets available on the market, take a look at GearJunkie’s Purchaser’s Information to the Greatest Rain Jackets.
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Waterproof membrane
Proprietary Proflex 3L -
Waterproof ranking
10,000 mm/24 hours -
Breathability ranking
35,000 g/m² -
Pit zips
No -
Match
Common -
Weight
14.9 oz.
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Impressively stretchy -
Comfy match -
Sturdy face cloth -
Made with climbers and mountaineers in thoughts
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No pit zips -
Low waterproof ranking -
On the heavier facet
Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 Jacket: Overview
First Impressions
I used to be stunned at simply how gentle the material felt after I first pulled the Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 out of the field. Is that this actually a rain jacket? I believed, and later, I would really get pleasure from sporting this. Usually, I discover myself rocking ultralight thru-hiker model waterproof layers; they’re gentle and can maintain you dry, however boy, do they really feel such as you’re sporting a trash bag.
Boasting better-than-average breathability (and stretch-for-days flexibility), you gained’t rush to take off the Kinetic Alpine as quickly because the storm ends — this can be a layer that I discovered you possibly can rock for a number of hours.
This is a crucial consideration for many who may discover themselves in the course of climbing a multipitch route or partaking in a time-sensitive mountaineering goal. Or, merely a consideration for many who get pleasure from being comfy on the path like myself.
Within the Area: Greater Lungs
Rab nailed the breathability side with its proprietary Proflex three-layer cloth, clocking in at a powerful 35,000 g/m2 ranking (most jackets are available at round 15-20K rankings). Over quite a few outings within the Sedona space, I spent appreciable time mountaineering uphill to scrambling targets and located myself to solely be calmly sweating. This can be a far cry from what you’d sometimes anticipate with GORE-TEX hardshells just like the Norrøna Falketind Paclite with its stuffier 15,000 g/m2 breathability rankings.
I’m at all times dismayed to seek out pit zips lacking in a water-resistant shell. It’s actually the one factor lacking from the Kinetic Alpine 2.0. Nonetheless, the breathability of the Proflex cloth actually helps to quell this concern. The 2-way entrance zipper additionally acts as a type of entrance vent, permitting you to open up the entrance of the jacket and transfer some moisture.
Stretch Like a Softshell
Consolation is definitely not missing on the Kinetic Alpine 2.0, which sports activities spectacular mobility, very good stretch, and a cloth that feels and acts like a softshell. I typically discover myself reluctant to tug out my rain jacket as a consequence of its crinkly and clammy really feel, which isn’t essentially the most enjoyable to maneuver in, however the Kinetic Alpine 2.0 by no means gave me a second thought on this division.
The very good stretch and mobility have been true wins throughout my scrambling targets just lately, as I by no means discovered myself struggling to achieve an important maintain even with the Kinetic’s trim athletic match in comparison with extra conventional, baggier rain jackets. In the case of adventures the place you’re spending vital time shifting your arms laterally and overhead, the stretchy polyurethane membrane of the Proflex cloth is a big plus.
(Sufficient) Waterproofing
Regardless of the Kinetic Alpine 2.0’s spectacular breathability and luxury, you’ve bought to pay the piper someplace, and the jacket’s waterproof ranking gained’t be turning any heads. Sadly, 10,000 mm/24 hours is on the decrease finish of the waterproof spectrum, that means I wouldn’t suggest it when the forecast requires multi-hour downpours or heavy snow.
The Kinetic Alpine 2.0 will nonetheless excel in environments with the potential for gentle snow or afternoon monsoon showers within the alpine, making it an distinctive alternative for summer season targets in much less humid climates like Colorado, or for windy targets the place you want a bit extra safety from the biting chilly than a conventional wind jacket.
Weight, Packability, and Sturdiness
Whereas the Kinetic Alpine 2.0 excels in breathability, consolation, and sturdiness, the tradeoff is a bulkier and heavier package deal. Weighing in at 14.9 ounces for a males’s massive, the Kinetic Alpine 2.0 is likely one of the heavier rain jackets available on the market. So, it may not be the only option for the ultralight-conscious thru-hiker just like the sub-8-ounce Zpacks Vertice or Montbell Versalite jackets can be.
Regardless of this, I used to be nonetheless capable of match the Kinetic into the rear zip pouch of an 8L working vest. When you make the Kinetic Alpine 2.0 your 2-in-1 wind and rain safety, you possibly can definitely mitigate the load by forsaking a complete jacket.
By way of sturdiness, effectively, I nonetheless can’t discover the place these cholla needles entered the material. I’ve little doubt the Kinetic would give me a few years of high quality use. Stretch materials like this are rather more amenable to being worn and beat on and definitely trump the uber-thin packable rain jackets for puncture resistance.
Nonetheless, it’s necessary to do not forget that stretch rain jackets typically will want a extra frequent reapplication of DWR end. The mechanical movement of the face cloth shifting wears out this coating quicker, so sustain in your refreshes, and the jacket will keep regular when beading.
Finer Particulars: Zippers, Pocket, Hood
The YKK Aquaguard zippers on the Kinetic Alpine 2.0 are top-notch. The middle entrance zip is an opposing two-way zipper, permitting for compatibility with a climbing harness and a few mechanical air flow when desired.
Two exterior pockets enable for fast and straightforward snack storage or hand-warming functionality, and a left chest inside zip pocket has sufficient room to suit bigger telephones, keys, or your ski cross for these nicer days on the resort. I genuinely appreciated the sizing of those pockets — not too huge or too small.
I additionally had an exquisite expertise with the adjustable hood that comes with a stiffened and versatile polymer peak that works effectively with each the majority of a climbing helmet and the minimalism of a baseball cap with out flopping over into your line of sight.
Moreover, I used to be completely satisfied to seek out the chin guard to be on the good top, permitting some wind safety for the neck and decrease a part of the face with out gathering condensation and obstructing respiratory.
Nonetheless Room for Enchancment
No rain jacket can nail the proper the whole lot, and the Kinetic Alpine 2.0 isn’t immune. As a shell that leans far into the stretch and breathability columns, it accomplishes its objectives, however it’s going to depart these wanting a stretchy motion piece that’s additionally deluge-proof wanting extra.
The 2 changes I’d make with the Kinetic Alpine 2.0 can be including pit zips (and bump that breathability even greater), making the Proflex cloth a contact extra waterproof. With the added mechanical air flow, Rab may maintain its wonderful 35,000 g/m2 breathability ranking whereas growing the hydrostatic ranking of the material to the 15,000mm/24-hour vary.
Though, this may tip the worth towards $350+ and make the jacket even heavier. As is custom, balancing the opposing forces of breathability and waterproofness is at all times a battle within the rain jacket enviornment.
Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 Jacket: Conclusion
From rock scrambles in Arizona to snowy hikes within the 4 Corners area of Colorado, the Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 did a wonderful job of maintaining me dry, appropriately heat, and cozy.
Its very good stretch served me effectively when making some uncovered strikes on an oft-climbed summit as rain started to fall, and its sturdiness shined when squeezing into and out of a chimney in Sedona that featured abrasive rock that might make most materials wince.
The tradeoff is in general weatherproofing — that is no storm bunker, nevertheless it’s solely no slouch, both. Frozen precip, passing showers, or heat however moist circumstances? The Kinetic Alpine has bought you coated, and all with out short-sheeting you within the mobility division.
Total, the Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 is a wonderful alternative for the hiker, mountaineer, or climber in search of a 2-in-1 waterproof layer that feels and acts like a softshell. At $310 and virtually a pound in weight, it isn’t essentially the most inexpensive or lightest possibility available on the market, however for those who’re in search of distinctive consolation and stretch mixed with sturdiness, this jacket will maintain you cheerful and singing its praises for years to come back.
