The Rab Bergen Jacket is just like a VW Golf, it's pretty much all the jacket you'll need. It may not be the most technically advanced, it may not be the most exciting to look at and it may not allude to Alpine peaks and pioneering first ascents; but it does do what it is designed to do very well.
The Bergen is cut longer to keep your bum and top of your thighs dry, so whilst you may not be able to wear a harness comfortably, you will be well protected when yomping across the mountains in horizontal rain. The body of the Bergen is made from mid weight Event and the shoulders and arms feature a heavier fabric to combat abrasion and provide durability, so whilst it may not be super light, it will last for years and cope with carrying a pack.
The Event fabric used is a a totally waterproof and highly breathable membrane offering high performance at sensible prices. Our personal experience shows that it is just as waterproof as and breathable as the new Gore-Tex Pro fabrics.
Rab are the masters of hood design, they are not so big that your head just wallows around in it, they cinch down without obscuring your vision and they have a wired peak so it doesn’t flop down over your eyes. You'd be amazed how many "technical" jackets are let down by poor hood design, but not with the Rab Bergen, in my humble opinion it has the best hood design of any jacket currently available.
So if you are looking for a reliable and great performing water proof shell for mountain walking and trekking, look no further.
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Constructed from mid weight and heavy weight Event fabric
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Articulated elbows
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Protective head compatible hood with wired peak, volume adjustment and tab down feature
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YKK Aquaguard zipped A line hand pockets
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Two way YKK Vislon main zip with double storm flap and rain drain
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Internal mesh pocket
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Laminated Velcro cuffs
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Adjustable waist and hem drawcords
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Relaxed fit
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.