Waterproof Protection Meets Down Warmth The Microlight Shield builds on Rab's iconic Microlight down jacket and adds a fully waterproof Pertex® Shield outer for reliable protection, creating a true all-in-one winter layer. This lightweight 20D waterproof shield delivers excellent protection and breathability, keeping rain, snow and cold winds firmly on the outside. Whilst inside, the 700FP recycled down provides dependable insulation for cold conditions. This combination eliminates the need for a separate waterproof shell when the weather turns, making it particularly well suited to winter hiking, hillwalking and everyday adventures in unpredictable UK conditions.
What is the Microlight Shield Jacket?
The Microlight Shield Jacket is a fully waterproof version of Rab's iconic Microlight down jacket. Designed for cold, wet UK mountain conditions, it’ll keep you warm and dry, making it perfect for hiking, walking and everyday use throughout the colder months.
Materials & Technology
Pertex® Shield 2-Layer Fabric (20D)
For waterproof protection, the jacket uses 2-layer, 20D Pertex® Shield, which is a highly breathable, waterproof fabric designed for use in the mountains when protection, weight and breathability are key.
This 2 layer waterproof material combines a lightweight 20D face fabric with a waterproof, windproof and breathable Pertex® membrane, for packable protection when the weather's not playing ball.
The face fabric is finished with a PFC-Free DWR (durable water repellent) coating to encourage rain to bead off the jacket instead of soaking in, without the use of harmful forever chemicals.
Pertex® Shield delivers a hydrostatic head rating of 20,000mm and a breathability MVTR score of 20,000 g/m2/24hrs, meaning it offers great waterproof protection and breathability for various outdoor activities. The jacket feels soft, packable and noticeably quieter than a traditional shell jacket, making it exceptionally comfortable to wear.
700 Fill Power Hydrophobic Down
For warmth, the jacket is filled with 146g of 700FP recycled down with Grangers hydrophobic finish for maximum loft (fluffiness) and warmth. This recycled down is made from a mix of different types of reclaimed down within the jacket, creating a unique, much more responsible type of insulation.
If you're a little unsure about what down actually is, it is made up of clusters of tiny feather strands that trap heat. As the down lofts (fluffs up) it can trap more warmth than if it were to be compacted into a small space. Most down insulation comes from ducks and geese, and Rab's recycled down uses a mixture of both.
Grangers Down Defend®
The down is treated with a Grangers fluorocarbon-free Hydrophobic finish called Grangers Down Defend®. This hydrophobic down treatment is bluesign® approved and helps keep down lofted in damp conditions. It gives the down over 375x more durability than untreated down, extending the lifespan of your jacket.
Features and Functionality
Insulated Hood
A 2-point adjustable hood provides shelter from the elements, whilst being easy to adjust on the move. Its fully insulated construction helps the jacket retain warmth, while still providing ample room for a beanie or headband for those frosty morning dog walks.
Weather-Protective Front Zip
The jacket is fastened with a YKK® VISLON® AquaGuard® front zip with an insulated zip baffle. This combination helps reduce heat loss through the front of the jacket, whilst preventing rain or wind from entering through the zip.
Zoned Nano Baffle Construction
The jacket uses a combination of zoned micro and nano stitch-through baffles to aid heat retention in key areas while maintaining maximum mobility in others and helping prevent cold spots from forming over time. This clever dual-baffle construction delivers efficient warmth while keeping the jacket's weight and bulk to a minimum.
Practical Pocket Layout
For storage, you'll find two zipped hand pockets and a concealed zipper chest pocket offering ample storage for your daily essentials. The pocket layout keeps your essentials accessible when wearing a backpack or climbing harness.
Articulated Sleeves
Fully articulated sleeves help to improve the fit and freedom of movement when layering on cold days. They're shape allows your arms to move naturally with the body during hiking or scrambling, without feeling restricted.
Internal Stretch Cuffs and Adjustable Hem
Internal elasticated cuffs and an adjustable bottom hem help seal in warmth to prevent cold winds from entering the jacket, improving comfort in cold, exposed conditions.
Key Features
- Pertex® Shield 2-layer waterproof construction (20D)
- 700 fill power recycled hydrophobic down insulation
- Zoned micro and nano baffle construction
- 2-point adjustable insulated hood
- YKK® VISLON® AquaGuard® front zip with insulated zip baffle
- Two YKK® AquaGuard® zipped hand pockets
- Concealed zipped chest pocket
- Fully articulated sleeves
- Internal elasticated cuffs
- Drawcord adjustable hem
How does the Microlight Shield Jacket fit?
The Microlight Shield Jacket features Rab's regular fit, which is designed to sit comfortably over base and midlayers, but close enough to the body for maximum thermal efficiency. It's designed as an all-in-one outer layer that will keep you both warm and dry when the weather's not playing ball.
What is the Microlight Shield Jacket best for?
- Cold and wet mountain conditions
- Winter hiking and hillwalking
- Everyday outdoor use
- Lightweight winter layering
- General cold-weather protection
Hydrophobic Down Built for Damp Conditions For warmth, the Microlight Shield uses 700 FP recycled down treated with Grangers Down Defend®, which helps the down maintain its loft when exposed to moisture and gives the down significantly greater durability than untreated insulation, helping extend the jacket's lifespan. This hydrophobic down, combined with the waterproof outer, creates a reassuringly dependable warm and waterproof layer that's well suited to the UK's cold and damp winters.
Zoned Baffles for Warmth Without Unnecessary Bulk Rather than using the same baffle construction throughout, Rab has used a combination of micro and nano stitch-through baffles in a zoned approach to help retain warmth where it's needed while improving mobility elsewhere, creating an efficient balance between insulation, weight and freedom of movement.
Mountain-Ready Weather Protection The Microlight Shield is designed to be a versatile all-round protective jacket, ideal for everything from leisurely winter walks to long winter hikes in the mountains. A fully insulated adjustable hood provides additional warmth and shelter around the head, while the YKK® VISLON® AquaGuard® front zip helps prevent rain and wind from entering the jacket. The design is finished with hand and chest pockets that remain accessible when wearing a backpack for added versatility.
FAQ
Is the Rab Microlight Shield Jacket waterproof?
Yes. The Microlight Shield features a 2-layer Pertex® Shield outer with a 20,000mm hydrostatic head, to provide full waterproof, windproof and breathable protection for use in wet winter conditions.
How warm is the Rab Microlight Shield Jacket?
The Microlight Shield is filled with approximately 146g of 700FP recycled hydrophobic down, providing dependable insulation for cold-weather hiking, hillwalking and everyday winter use.
Is the Rab Microlight Shield good for winter hiking?
Yes. It’s specifically designed for hiking in cold, wet UK mountain conditions and combines waterproof protection and down insulation to create an all-in-one, versatile winter jacket.
What’s the difference between the Rab Microlight Shield and a normal down jacket?
Both jackets use 700FP down insulation for warmth, but the Microlight Shield features an additional fully waterproof Pertex® Shield outer for complete waterproof protection.
Does the Rab Microlight Shield use hydrophobic down?
Yes. Like all of Rab’s down products, this down is also treated with a fluorocarbon-free hydrophobic treatment, called Grangers Down Defend®, which helps the insulation maintain its loft and warmth in damp conditions.
Is the Rab Microlight Shield breathable?
Yes. The Pertex® Shield outer features an MVTR breathability rating of 20,000g/m²/24hrs, meaning moisture can escape to keep you feeling comfortable throughout the day without impacting the jacket’s waterproof protection.