Rab Borealis Hooded Jacket review: Excellent breathability

The Rab Borealis Hooded Jacket jacket is a lightweight, minimalist softshell designed for high-output mountain pursuits where breathability and mobility are key. Weighing just 295g (men’s L), it uses Rab’s Matrix fabric – a stretchy, 130gsm single-weave softshell made with 88% recycled nylon and 12% elastane – to offer a sleek, unrestrictive fit and excellent freedom of movement.

With a UPF 50+ rating, decent wind resistance, and a PFC-free DWR finish for light rain, it delivers solid summer and shoulder-season performance as a standalone outer layer. However, it’s not built for bad weather. The Borealis prioritises airflow over insulation or full weather protection, making it best suited to fast hiking, scrambling, climbing, or backpacking in fair conditions.

It has a slim, climbing-friendly fit and a simple feature set (you get a close-fitting hood and two mesh-lined pockets but not much else). However, its excellent breathability and rapid drying time make it an excellent “put it on and leave it on” layer.

At just £85, it undercuts many rivals in our best softshell group test, including offerings from Black Diamond, Montane, and Paramo. While it lacks the bells and whistles – or warmth – of pricier alternatives, the Borealis shines for anyone needing a breathable, low bulk softshell that moves with you. More comfortable than a windproof and more weather-resistant than a lightweight fleece, it’s hard to beat at this price.

Fabrics, stretch and weather resistance

This hooded jacket is made from a light and breathable single-weave fabric with two-way stretch that Rab calls ‘Matrix’. It’s a 130gsm (grams per square metre) softshell material, made from 88% recycled nylon with 12% elastane. The high elastane content ensures ample mobility and freedom of movement. This enhances high levels of comfort, so the jacket moves well with the body without feeling tight or restrictive.

Wind-resistance is decent, cutting out the worst of the wind in the hills and mountains, and a PFC-free DWR coating ensures water beads on the jacket and sheds nicely. The fabric also offers maximum sun protection, with a UPF 50+ rating. All these qualities were greatly appreciated on test in the variable climate of Eryri, North Wales throughout June and July.

However, the primary emphasis is on lightweight breathability, so don’t expect too much in the way of weather protection. Anything more than light drizzle and you’ll be reaching for a waterproof hard shell. Similarly, the Borealis offers little in the way of thermal performance. It’s really only good for cutting windchill.

On the other hand, breathability is excellent. With a tendency to run hot and sweaty during steep climbs, I was still able to keep the Borealis on without overheating or sweating profusely. As a light weight ‘put it on, leave it on’ layer, it performs very well. It’s also extremely quick drying, which adds to its versatility.

Fit, comfort and weight

The Rab Borealis fits broadly true to size. I’m a rangy 6ft 4in, with a 42” chest and 34” waist. I found the men’s size large pretty much spot on, with plenty of length in the arms – though I would have appreciated an extra inch or two in the torso.

Some rivals definitely offer a more pronounced drop tail and better coverage overall. In contrast, the Borealis sits right at the hip. This perhaps reflects its climbing-orientated roots, where a shorter cut is generally preferable for more dynamic movement. But hillwalkers might wish for a bit more bum protection.

The fit is reasonably trim, though again, some rivals have a slightly closer cut. Still, the Borealis feels relatively athletic and streamlined. It's certainly comfortable, with a soft handle and no clingy feel, even against bare arms. The excellent stretch – courtesy of the high elastane content – gives great all-round mobility.

Tipping the scales at 295g for a men’s large, it’s also one of the lighter hooded softshell jackets around. This will appeal to weight-conscious climbers, backpackers and even ultralighters. It works well as a standalone wind-resistant outer layer in summer, yet layers easily under an insulated jacket and/or a waterproof hard shell.

While it doesn’t offer as much warmth as a lightweight fleece, it's just as comfortable whilst also being more wind and water-resistant, and more breathable too. And while it offers similar weather protection to a windproof jacket, you’re getting the added benefits of a soft and stretchy softshell fabric.

Features: pockets, hood and ventilation

The Borealis has been part of Rab’s apparel range for several years now, in various guises. It was originally marketed as a specialist climbing piece, but Rab now calls it a ‘multi-activity softshell’. As such, features have been tweaked to make them more suitable for general outdoor use, even if your adventures don’t tend to the vertical.

For example, the two zippered pockets have been moved from the chest area to the lower torso, making them a bit more user-friendly. They’re positioned so you can easily stuff your hands or small items in them on the hill, without them obstructing a rucksack hipbelt. They’re also mesh-lined, so if you want added ventilation, you can unzip them for a bit of extra cooling.

Otherwise, features are simple and straightforward. The close-fitting hood is designed to fit under a climbing helmet but is stretchy enough to go over a cap or beanie. The elastic binding ensures it fits snugly around the face, which largely overcomes the lack of any drawcord-style adjustment. Cuffs are also similarly stretch-bound and again, hug the wrists nicely.

The one-way central zipper is a YKK Vislon with an oversized puller that zips right up to the throat. It runs smoothly but is not a reverse coil design and has no stormflap to help seal out the cold or wind. There is a half-hem drawcord to prevent the jacket riding up though, with drawcord toggles at both sides to enable easy adjustment.

Price and competition

At £85, I think the Borealis represents extremely good value. It’s super light, super breathable and very comfortable to wear, as well as being a versatile spring-summer layer.

For me, the main rivals in this ‘lightweight softshells’ category are the Black Diamond Alpine Start (£150) and Montane’s new Tenacity Nano (£160). The Alpine Start is even lighter and more packable than the Borealis. The Tenacity Nano is a similar weight overall, whilst offering a bit more durability and protection. But they’re both almost double the price of the Borealis.

Alternatively, you could look at a more traditional wind jacket, like the Paramo Velez Windproof. Again, that one is a bit lighter than the Borealis, and has some nifty features (though it lacks a hood). But again, it’s significantly more expensive, at £125 RRP.

If you want something a bit warmer and more protective, then look at the Mountain Equipment Arrow(£100), which delivers fleece-like comfort and warmth in a softshell package whilst still weighing under 400g.

You could also look at the Helly Hansen Blaze Softshell(£130, 440g in a men’s L) or the Thrudark Veles (£165, 410g in a men’s L). And if you can afford to splurge, there’s also the Berghaus Ridge Roamer (£270, 420g), which offers significantly improved weather protection with a PU membrane and taped seams, at the cost of reduced breathability and a high price tag.

Verdict

The Rab Borealis Hooded Jacket is a featherweight, breathable and versatile softshell for active use in mild conditions – just don’t expect full-on weather protection.

About the author

Matt Jones is a freelance journalist based in the heart of Snowdonia National Park, he’s a vastly experienced gear tester and self-confessed outdoor kit geek. Matt’s been one of our main gear testers for the last couple of years and is the first person we call with any complicated kit queries that need in-depth and forensic analysis.