What is the Positron Pro?
The Rab Positron Pro Jacket is the perfect technical mountaineering and expedition jacket for use up to 6000M. It also makes an ideal UK winter jacket in cold and wet conditions for winter mountaineering or just an everyday super warm coat.
What is it made of?
Insulation: Rab stuff the Positron with the highest quality 800FP R.D.S certified European Goose Down. The achilles heel of down is that when it gets wet, it loses its ability to insulate. Rab combat this by teaming up with Nikwax to create a hydrophobic treatment which is added to the down before entering the jacket; this ensures that if the down happens to get a little soggy, it'll still provide warmth and will loft far more effectively than non-treated down. As if that wasn't enough, Rab use R.D.S (responsible down standard) to ensure all down is sourced ethically and humanely.
However, what really sets this superb jacket apart from the competition is how Rab have cleverly zoned the insulation across your body to provide maximum warmth and minimal bulk. Where you need the warmth the most, across the torso, back and hood, Rab have constructed the Positron using box wall construction. This method creates actual "box" like chambers for the down to fully loft (fluff up) so that it can maximise the insualting properties of all those beautiful down clusters. Where you need less insulation and more freedom of movement, down the sides and arms, Rab have used a simple stitch through construction. Whilst still effective at insulating it does reduce bulk and allows for greater flexibility and breathability.
Outer fabric: To ensure that all that lovely down stays dry, you get a reliable Pertex Endurance outer shell. Whilst not 100% waterproof, due to the untaped seams, this highly water resistant fabric will keep rain and snow at bay, so you'll only need your shell jacket if it is really wet and grotty.
What are the features?
If all of that wasn't enough to convince you that this jacket is 'the one', then let's walk through the list of features. Starting at the top, a helmet compatible down-filled hood boosts warmth when stationary, while concealed hood adjusters reduce the hood's volume and prevents it blowing off in strong winds. While we're talking about wind, all of the adjusters for the hood are concealed, meaning they won't slap you in the face when un-tightened. Other features include a two-way front zip so you can layer the jacket over a climbing harness or simply answer the call of nature, a zipped chest pocket with a synthetic insulation overlay to prevent heat-loss, two zipped hand pockets which sit high enough that they're not blocked by a rucksack hipbelt or harness, an internal security pocket, adjustable cuffs, an adjustable hem, an included stuffsack and lastly some reflective logos for safety purposes.
How does it fit?
It fits into Rab's 'regular' fit block, meaning there's enough room for layers underneath in extremely cold conditions, however there are plenty of adjustment points to reduce the overall volume when just wearing a baselayer underneath. The length is longer than average to give extra coverage, while articulated sleeves mean the hem won't rise up excessively when climbing.
Where does it fit in the layering system?
The Positron is designed to be your outer layer in all but the worst conditions. Due to its incredible warmth, it works extremely well when you just want to throw a big warm jacket over the top of your other layers when stopping for lunch.
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Pertex Quantum Pro outer fabric
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100% Nylon ripstop inner
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800FP European Goose Down
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Rab® fluorocarbon-free Hydrophobic Down
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Box-wall construction on torso, back and hood Stitch-through construction on sides and arms
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Helmet-compatible hood with face baffle and polymer peak
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YKK VISLON AquaGuard 2-way front zip with insulated baffle
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2 YKK VISLON AquaGuard hand pockets
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1 YKK zipped internal security pocket
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Velcro adjustable cuffs
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Hem drawcord
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Stuff sack