What is the Ladakh Jacket?
The updated and revised Ladakh is quite possibly the perfect UK hill and mountain walking jacket. Despite it suiting walking extremely well, it's versatile enough to be used for a climbing and mountaineering in less severe conditions. Featuring a mixture of Gore C-Knit and Gore-Tex Pro fabrics, it offers reliable yet breathable protection from the elements.
What is it made of?
Unlike any other shell we stock, the Ladakh uses a mixture of Gore C-Knit and Gore-Tex Pro. The majority of the jacket is constructed from the highly breathable, soft, quiet and comfortable Gore C-Knit fabric, while Gore-Tex Pro is used to reinforce high-wear areas. The mixture of these two fabrics ensures you're adequately protected yet offers high amounts of breathability when you begin to move a little faster.
What are the features?
Rab have always produced brilliant hoods, and the Ladakh is no exception! The Ladakh features a 3-way adjustable, helmet compatible hood with a wired and laminated peak. This hood can also be rolled away when not in use and fits exceptionally well even without a climbing helmet underneath. Moving down, a fleece lined collar and neck increases comfort, while a zipped chest pocket stores essentials; two zipped hand pockets store extra bits and bobs. Other features include underarm vents allow you to dump heat quickly when working hard, an internal pocket for a phone or wallet and lastly an elasticated hem & waist drawcord with a one handed adjustment system.
How does it fit?
The Ladakh fits into Rab's 'regular' fit block, meaning you've got enough room underneath for additional layers on cold days, yet plenty of adjustment options to cinch everything down when just wearing a baselayer. Essentially, it'll fit 99% of people without any issues.
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Gore C-Knit main body
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Gore-Tex Pro reinforcements
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3-way adjustable hood
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Helmet compatible
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Fleece lined chin and neck
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Chest pocket
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Two hand pockets
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Venting underarm zips
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Internal security pocket
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Reflective branding
Care and maintenance
To keep your outdoor clothing and equipment in tip top condition and performing to its maximum we recommend the use of Nikwax products. We have been using Nikwax products since day one (26th March 1986) and have found them to be totally reliable, dependable and effective. Today’s Nikwax treatments contain environmentally friendly elastic water-repellent polymers that bond to fabric fibres, leaving the spaces between open and breathable. These stretchy polymers are able to stretch and move with the fabric so they stay put for longer and work better.
Nikwax treatments will not change the look or feel of the fabric and they are all water based, environmentally safe, non-flammable and contain no nasty Fluorocarbons. Nikwax products can be used to clean, re-proof and revitalise all your outdoor technical clothing and equipment.
Waterproof breathable clothing has a durable water-repellent (DWR) finish applied to the face fabric during the manufacturing process. The DWR forces water to bead up and roll off the surface therefore preventing the fabric from absorbing moisture. If the outside of your jacket is soaked in a layer of cold water, the warm damp air within can’t escape and will condense on the inside. This makes the jacket feel cold clammy and can make you think that it’s leaking. The DWR finish is not permanent and needs to be maintained and revitalised to optimise performance.
This three layer waterproof jacket should be cleaned regularly with Nikwax Tech Wash; I wash my jacket about once a month, or more often if it gets really filthy. Regular washing with Tech Wash will maintain the DWR for longer and remove salts and oils that can contaminate the fabric, and it will keep your lovely jacket clean and smelling fresh. Washing can be done in a machine according to the manufacturers care guidelines (on the internal label). First clean out any detergent and conditioner residue from the machine dispenser and then add the required amount of Tech Wash and away you go. Hand washing is also suitable but be sure to rinse the garment well.
When you notice that rain/water is no longer beading up and rolling off it’s time to re-proof. Nikwax TX Direct will re-instate a long lasting DWR to completely rejuvenate your jacket. Re-proofing can also be done in the machine once a garment has been washed. Just add the TX-Direct and use the same programme you used for washing. You can also use the spray-on product on a damp garment that has just been washed.
You wouldn’t buy a Ferrari and never have it serviced, so make sure you regularly wash and re-proof your quality kit.