The Kinetic Alpine is a radical re-approach to the world of waterproof jackets. It’s a stretchy, highly breathable shell that bridges the gap between hardshell and softshell.
Rab built this hybrid softshell/hardshell for hikers, climbers, and mountaineers who want a multi-purpose shell that will keep them dry in changing weather conditions. The jacket is made from Rab’s Proflex fabric, a blend of recycled stretch knit and woven fabrics with a breathable waterproof membrane and a fast-wicking backer.
Durability
Rab has developed a very clever way of combining the soft, stretchy nature of a softshell with the durability and water-resistant qualities of a hard shell. The Kinetic Alpine is made from the company’s Proflex fabric, and it’s also got a brutal nylon face with some ceramic overlays applied to high-wear areas, increasing durability without hindering movement.
The lining is also made from high-gauge wicking material. The Proflex fabric is highly breathable, with a moisture vapor transmission rate of 35,000 grams per square meter per day (gm/m2/24hrs).
The Kinetic Alpine is designed to help you pare back your kit on remote multi-day expeditions, and it’s built with climbers in mind, so features such as reinforced ceramic print overlays in the hips, sleeves, and hood ensure durable wear resistance while maintaining high functionality for climbing. It’s light and packs down nicely, making it ideal for long mountain days.
Breathability
The Rab Kinetic Alpine Women’s Waterproof Jacket is ideal for those seeking a fully waterproof yet highly breathable shell that will be their main go-to mountaineering jacket. The Proflex stretch-knit fabric is contoured to your body shape and wicks sweat away, keeping you cool and dry.
The jacket also has a generously sized, helmet-compatible hood that easily accommodates climbing and ski helmets but cinches down well around a bare head. Its thin fabrics and functional yet streamlined feature set keep weight down, making it easy to carry on long hikes with variable weather conditions.
The Kinetic Alpine is rated to 10,000mm of hydrostatic head, measuring how much pressure water can exert against a fabric before it seeps through. This seems like a high number, but it’s a good indicator of how well a waterproof jacket will work in high-pressure, heavy rain conditions. We’ve only ever tested a few truly waterproof jackets with that many hydrostatic head ratings. Still, we can safely say that the Kinetic Alpine will protect you from any sloppy showers along your route.
Weight
Rab has kept the weight of this jacket very low with a minimalist design, avoiding bells and whistles like pit zips. This keeps the coat streamlined and thin (20D) while maintaining good packability.
The Kinetic Alpine is a soft hardshell with many premium features, making it an excellent choice for alpinists and hikers. It’s also breathable, with taped seams and a 10,000mm hydrostatic head waterproof rating.
The fabric is a super stretchy and comfortable version of Rab’s Proflex material, blurring the lines between softshell and hardshell. This combines a soft, breathable, and highly waterproof (10,000mm) face fabric with a durable nylon face and ceramic print to up abrasion resistance around the hood and sleeves.
Design
The Kinetic Alpine is an excellent choice for weight-conscious alpine climbers who want a lightweight hybrid shell with decent water protection. Rather than relying on a heavy-duty hardshell fabric, Rab has paired a stretchy soft-shell membrane with a durable nylon face (Proflex) and ceramic overlays in high-wear areas.
The Proflex membrane is rated at a 10K hydrostatic head, about the same as a dedicated hardshell like Rab’s Muztag or Outdoor Research Microgravity.
It’s also breathable, thanks to a 35,000-gram per square meter per day (gm/m2/24hrs) moisture vapor transmission rate that’s more than adequate for this kind of weather.
The slim fit makes this an easy jacket, and the hood cinches down neatly around a helmet or bare head. Other features include well-designed Velcro cuff adjustments and Napoleon-style harness-compatible pockets.
