tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post2008302540039165933..comments2024-03-16T10:11:19.302-07:00Comments on Cold Thistle: The RAB Xenon jacketDanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-58496173070173622632013-08-26T10:54:50.902-07:002013-08-26T10:54:50.902-07:00Hi Travis, I have seen both and will eventually be...Hi Travis, I have seen both and will eventually be writing about them here. Strata I think will be very interesting. Danehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-56660346788975304702013-08-26T10:14:50.529-07:002013-08-26T10:14:50.529-07:00Dane,
Have you seen the new Rab Xenon X Hoody and ...Dane,<br />Have you seen the new Rab Xenon X Hoody and Strata Hoody for this year? The Xenon looks like it now has a over the top hood, like the Atom LT, and the Strata is an 80g/m hoody with polartec Alpha. Looks like good things are coming from Rab in the synthetic department!<br />TravisTravishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14311842993486982937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-62016866470719088832013-08-14T13:51:32.624-07:002013-08-14T13:51:32.624-07:00I have both and didn't find a signifigant dif...I have both and didn't find a signifigant difference in length of either jacket.Danehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-9981468649658115232013-08-14T13:15:53.168-07:002013-08-14T13:15:53.168-07:00Hi Dane, The Xenon looks like a very nice syntheti...Hi Dane, The Xenon looks like a very nice synthetic insulation piece, but my only concern is length. It looks a bit short, and perhaps the shorter length means giving up some warmth. I've used a Montbell Thermawrap Parka with the same weight of insulation, and it was a few inches longer front and back. Walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-75752617715034589752012-01-03T05:40:26.381-08:002012-01-03T05:40:26.381-08:00Could you post more pictures how retainer strap lo...Could you post more pictures how retainer strap looks like on jacket. For me this is really bad design solution for this. Most of shell jackets use better solutions. Thanks!Andrejhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05965005548932573661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-67731839962928715862012-01-03T03:16:31.912-08:002012-01-03T03:16:31.912-08:00I actually used my Microlight Alpine down jacket a...I actually used my Microlight Alpine down jacket as a belay/bivvy booster layer over a Nano Puff on a recent 5-day trip. It was great and the hood will actually *just* fit over a helmet (Meteor III) although not brilliantly. The jacket would be perfect if they sized up the hood to make it fit more comfortably...<br /><br />Synthetic insulation will at least work passably under a helmet. No-one's going to want to remove their lid to actually get it under there, but it would kinda work. With down it's just completely inexcusable - think of how sweaty your head gets under your lid.<br /><br />Small hoods should be a thing of the past. I have a frickin' microfleece (Mountain Equipment Shroud) which has a hood big enough to put over a helmet. No adjusters at all. The weight argument carries almost no water and is the laziest of lazy excuses as far as I'm concerned.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17431692146092918549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-25967080669539208002011-12-24T14:59:24.899-08:002011-12-24T14:59:24.899-08:00I have a gut feeling what ends up happening is tha...I have a gut feeling what ends up happening is that the people on these design teams say to themselves "the hood can go under the helmet just as easily as over it, and by doing it that way we can cut weight!" without thinking about the fact that no climber is going to want to take their helmet on and off (and risk dropping it, among other things) in order to manage a hood.Julianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17418359111867504412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-24189320859353505292011-12-24T14:19:34.590-08:002011-12-24T14:19:34.590-08:00My comment wasn't a comparison of quality betw...My comment wasn't a comparison of quality between Rab and Arcteryx. $250 for a 60gr light belay jacket with a non helmet compatible hood is not reasonable. I understand your point about the fit of Patagonia jackets, and I really do love the fit of Rab clothing, but for the money I guess I'll just have to suffer with the trashbag fit. Or, in this case, I'll make do with the slightly heavier Igniter jacket. <br /><br />However, regardless of the price, the hood is a deal breaker for me.Ianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10023513087034699039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-40043645284284961972011-12-24T11:51:54.073-08:002011-12-24T11:51:54.073-08:00"I would argue that with down, even more so t..."I would argue that with down, even more so than synthetic, the hood on a self-titled 'alpine' garment should ALWAYS be helmet-compatible"<br /><br />Agreed..but be it down or synthetic..and zippers on the pockets as well. Obviously the design team hasn't done a lot of climbing (or actually used the garment they have designed) if they aren't on board with that.Danehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-75125573702159873182011-12-24T11:22:35.779-08:002011-12-24T11:22:35.779-08:00Rab used exactly the same 'weight saving' ...Rab used exactly the same 'weight saving' justification for lack of pocket zippers and small hood on the Microlight Alpine downie. Again they've since added pockets, but the hood is annoying.<br /><br />Great jacket - I love mine - but as a lightweight belay jacket it's somewhat crippled. The hood will actually go over a helmet but it pulls up at the shoulders.<br /><br />I would argue that with down, even more so than synthetic, the hood on a self-titled 'alpine' garment should ALWAYS be helmet-compatible.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17431692146092918549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-51638694673065698312011-12-23T23:06:51.155-08:002011-12-23T23:06:51.155-08:00The breathability of the Atom lt both in shell mat...The breathability of the Atom lt both in shell material and the side vents is what makes it so useful to me. Cut the performance in either material and the jacket wouldn't be very useful to me in the same circumstance.<br /><br />Always fun to see what new gets produced and how it works.Danehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-70078863865841487642011-12-23T21:35:25.646-08:002011-12-23T21:35:25.646-08:00The Wild Things jacket is something I haven't ...The Wild Things jacket is something I haven't seen before, and it looks pretty cool. The shell uses EPIC fabric, which is the same stuff Black Diamond uses on the old Hilight tents, so you'd get better water resistance than the Atom, it uses Wind Pro on the side panels as well, which might do a little bit to alleviate the problem Dane has in that it lets wind in through the side panels.<br /><br />Thanks, Dane.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14228564825123601389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-27758987115250931952011-12-23T18:46:07.441-08:002011-12-23T18:46:07.441-08:00BMW Cocoon pullover. 9.4oz in a medium with pertex...BMW Cocoon pullover. 9.4oz in a medium with pertex and 60g insulation. Hood fits over my helmet. Pretty nice piece of kit. I do take care of mine though as they're no longer being made :(Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-81151838850185249782011-12-23T08:15:22.308-08:002011-12-23T08:15:22.308-08:00I have seen but not used the Wild Things jacket. C...I have seen but not used the Wild Things jacket. Comparable to the LT..may be. The LT is the gold standard for that style of jacket. Both Wild Things and Mtn Hardware copied it. I'll reserve judgement until I actually use either. But I am in no hurry to get either.<br /><br />James, I completely agree. The Xenon doesn't compare to either the SV or the LT which was my point in the comments. As you implied in your review...if you know what it as designed for and have a use nothing else on the market in the same game. And there are lots of 60g jackets out there. Some great designs I've tried but fit and patterns are hit or miss. Patagonia is a perfect example.<br /><br />Nice blog btw ;)Danehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-6616518415082399102011-12-23T07:42:07.708-08:002011-12-23T07:42:07.708-08:00Anyone seen the new Wild Things Insulight jacket? ...Anyone seen the new Wild Things Insulight jacket? They don't give a weight, but on the Wild Things blog it's compared to Atom LT and a men's hooded version is due out soon. <br /><br />http://www.wildthingsgear.com/wild-things/shop/midlayer/m-s-insulight-jacket.html?color=rifle%20greenJaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-67578254852903414842011-12-23T02:36:28.206-08:002011-12-23T02:36:28.206-08:00Dane, I like your thoughts. I'm a big fan of t...Dane, I like your thoughts. I'm a big fan of the Xenon as well. My review of it is here: http://blessedoutdoors.blogspot.com/2011/10/rab-xenon-jacket-review.html<br /><br />As to Ian's comment, Arc'teryx is not the best in everything, even if they generally are more expensive, so it's not out of the question for something to cost more. The Xenon I believe fills a different niche than the Atom LT, and as such, the difference in price tag can be expected. I would rather actively climb in the Atom, but the Xenon is a better lightweight belay or backpacking jacket.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14228564825123601389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-15568224826221843042011-12-22T17:53:16.109-08:002011-12-22T17:53:16.109-08:00Too expensive. Seriously, when you can by the equi...Too expensive. Seriously, when you can by the equivalent Arcteryx product for less you know there's an issue.Ianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10023513087034699039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-22043175851222804852011-12-22T16:43:24.317-08:002011-12-22T16:43:24.317-08:00Atom SV is 100g insulation layer. The Atom LT is...Atom SV is 100g insulation layer. The Atom LT is more comparable to the Xenon with the same 60g insulation. AAlthough the Xenon uses what I think is the better insulation with Primaloft One.<br /><br />Other than the small hood...the Xenon kinda falls in between them for warmth. But much more comparable to the LT than the stellar and warmer SV.Danehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-81326889393148259272011-12-22T16:01:37.873-08:002011-12-22T16:01:37.873-08:00...still really like my Atom SV though. How's ......still really like my Atom SV though. How's it stack up against it?fultonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07572352625575091866noreply@blogger.com