RAB NEBULA PRO JACKET REVIEW

If you would like your own WINTER ADVENTURE, we provide an array of winter courses.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

• Weight: 586g/20.7oz
• Pertex® Quantum Pro windproof and water-resistant outer fabric
• Hyperlite™ 100% Nylon rip-stop lining
• Cirrus™ powered by 3M featherless insulation (274g/9.7oz in size L)
• Stitch-through midi-baffles
• Helmet compatible hood with flexible polymer peak
• 2-way opening YKK® VISLON® front zip with insulated baffle
• 2 YKK® zipped handwarmer pockets, left side doubles as integrated stuff sack
• 1 YKK® zipped internal security pocket
• Part elasticated cuffs with anti-snag hook and loop adjustment
• Hem drawcord
• Fit: Regular

You can feel the quality of the Rab Nebula Pro jacket as soon as you put it on.  The fabric is soft to the touch, and immediately gives you the feeling of comfort. Like a warm cup of tea, in front of the open fire, on a cold winter’s evening.  Rab® claims the Nebula Pro jacket to “maintain insulation when wet”. And, in Scotland it does not take long to put this to the test.  We felt that whether wearing the Nebula Pro jacket under or over our hardshells, in the harsh weathers Scotland has to offer, its insulating performance maintained high, and did not notice any difference.

Another feature that stands out, is that Rab® have made the pockets on the Nebula Pro jacket very big.  I can fit 2 pairs of gloves in them, and still have space for my snack bars, torch, map and compass.  Very useful on those long climbs, where you keep changing from warm gloves to climbing gloves.  Its like a handy “fanny pack” (American terminology) or “bum bag” (as it is known in the UK), where you have all the essentials nearby, without the embarrassment of actually carrying one.

A clever design within the jacket, is that it has its own packable bag, built in within the left pocket.  It also has a loop, which means this can be clipped to your harness or belay, without the potential of dropping it.  The only downside once packed, is that it is on the bulky side.

The Rab Nebula Pro jacket uses Pertex Quantum Pro technology. This makes the jacket water resistant, and adds to wind resistance, helping keep the weather out in extreme conditions.

Another important feature of the Nebula Pro jacket is that whether you put this over or under your hardshell, whilst having gloves on, the cuffs are tight, but stretch over even the biggest gloves, keeping a tight fit. Not having to make further adjustments, keeping out the snow and weather.

PROS

• Quality crafted jacket
• High insulating properties in all weathers
• Lightweight
• Nice fit, with allowances made so it can be combined with other layers
• Very big pockets
• Built in packable bag within the left pocket
• Has a loop, so jacket once packed can be clipped onto harness or anchor
• Helmet compatible
• Easy to adjust draw cords

CONS

• Once packed, it is quite bulky

Personally, I would like to see Rab® use a mix of colours on these jackets (i.e. using complimentary colours, e.g. Celestial or Blue jacket, with orange zips and Rab® logo).  Again this is no issue, but a personal preference.

CONCLUSION

Having put the Rab Nebula Pro jacket through its paces, it has kept me warm and snug in some of the worst Scotland can throw at it in winter.  A good looking, warm, well-thought-out designed, high performing and easy to pack insulating jacket.