Rab Superflux Hoody review: Adventure-proof warmth for every activity

The eye-catching Rab Superflux Hoody promises a perfect balance of warmth, breathability and comfort with versatility to boot. Let’s find out if it delivers...

The best fleece jackets have to tick a lot of boxes. Versatility and performance are both equally important to me. Whether I’m in the hills at the weekend, walking the dogs on the coast in the morning or throwing it on with a pair of jeans on the way to work – it has to be a bit of a Swiss Army Knife.

The Rab Superflux Hoody should be right up my street then, given its billing as a “do-it-all technical mid-layer, as perfect for fast ascents as it is for kicking back during downtime.”

The Sheffield-based ‘mountain people’ have deservedly earned a reputation for dependability over the years. In their own words, Rab pride themselves on crafting “hard-working pieces you’d rather repair than replace”, and that’s exactly the reason they’re a go-to brand for me.

But given its £100 price point, the Rab Superflux Hoody has to exceed basic expectations; it needs to be a high performer across the board.

Here’s what my testing in the highly unpredictable British springtime confirmed…

Performance

The Rab Superflux Hoody has been built with the brand’s ‘Thermic’ fleece – a breathable, quick-drying, lightweight and durable synthetic fabric described as ideal for mountain activities. The Superflux is the warmest and most protective of Rab’s Thermic fleece family. And, it’s pretty warm.

Granted, it wasn't Baltic during my spring testing, but for the most part, the temperature has been between 10-15°C and I’ve felt thoroughly comfortable. If anything, a touch too warm when the wind drops, which is why I wouldn’t feel the need to carry something like a softshell jacket unless I was expecting more uncertainty.

Rab doesn’t specifically mention windproofing, but I’ve found the Superflux to bat off medium-strength gusts very effectively. It was blowing harder than it looks in the photos of my coastal walk, yet I felt well protected.

There’s no waterproofing, as that’s not the jacket’s raison d'être, but I can confirm its quick-drying claims, with a few short showers not a huge deal.

If insulation on the move is this mid-layer’s primary selling point in terms of performance, I’d say its soft stretch construction runs a close second. It strikes a balance of having enough stretch (6% elastane) to move with your body, while holding its structure when not being called into action for anything too arduous.

I haven’t experienced any movement restriction, and perhaps with the exception of some very technical scrambles, I think it will do a decent job during the vast majority of mountain activities.

Comfort and fit

This is another area where the Superflux really excels. It’s undoubtedly one of the most comfortable mid-layers I’ve worn with its soft brushed outer fabric and micro-pile fleece on the inside.

The stretch fabric construction contours with the body nicely without being clingy in any way, providing a cozy but roomy fit. The quality of the stitching is excellent and I have no doubt this mid-layer will prove highly durable over time.

I must also mention the neck collar, which bunches just below the chin, providing outstanding comfort by sealing out the wind. The hood itself hugs the head, fitting snugly under a helmet, and sits neatly without excessive material flapping around behind you when not required.

At 444g in a UK medium, it’s not the lightest mid-layer out there. That said, it’s certainly not bulky and packs down easily into a hiking daypack. I’d consider the Superflux to fit true to size. I’m between a small and medium, and found the fit a touch roomy, which is exactly what I'd expect.

I love the 'tempest blue' colour, but the Rab Superflux Hoody is available in another six non-offensive, versatile designs, including olive and black.

Features

In my book, the Superflux has everything you need in terms of features, and nothing you don’t. On the pocket front, you have two concealed YKK zipped side-pockets that are extremely cosy, and a Napoleon chest pocket for essential accessories you need on the move.

The inclusion of thumb loops is one I appreciate, preventing the sleeves from riding up your arm, but also adding to the garment's overall comfort. As does the dropped hem, which helps retain lower back warmth.

While the Superflux is marketed as the perfect blend of warmth, comfort, and breathability, the latter is arguably the weakest contribution of the three. It can get a bit on the clammy side in milder conditions, with the two mesh-lined side pockets doing a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to ventilation.

Price and competition

In a similar price band at £120 is Rab’s Evolute Hoody, which is well worth considering for top-rate warmth on the move, utilising the brand’s PrimaLoft Evolve Active Insulation.

If you’re in the market for something slightly lighter and highly breathable for more strenuous hikes, then the Montane Fury Lite is an excellent alternative option. As is the slightly more pricey The North Face Summit Series Futurefleece.

At £100, the Superflux is a healthy chunk of change. But while you can certainly find solid fleeces for less than three figures, such as the Adidas Terrex Xperior, the Superflux’s balance of technical performance and day-to-day versatility makes it decent value in my opinion.

Sustainability

Rab is fully transparent with the sustainability credentials of each of its garments, posting the ‘Material Facts’ on each product page.

The Superflux Hoody has a 46% recycled construction with no fluorocarbons (PFAS) added during the build. On the downside, though, there were no renewable energy sources used to power the manufacturing process in Bangladesh.

If gold-standard sustainability is key to you, then the Superflux may fall a little short. That said, Rab’s commitment to helping you make the most informed choice through clear and transparent data is something to applaud – other brands take note.

Verdict

There’s very little I can find to grumble about with this mid layer. It excels in the departments you need it to – warmth, comfort, durability, while also being versatile enough to throw on for those less adventurous days.

The only real question that remains for me is value for money, and whether it fully justifies the £100 price tag. My honest opinion is yes. It’s the type of garment that I know I’m going to get so much use out of, which therefore really drives that price-per-wear down.

Breathability is perhaps the only area I would mark the Superflux Hoody down on, as mentioned above. That really is it, though. There’s obviously no waterproofing, and given its excellent insulation, I’d suggest carrying a lightweight waterproof jacket if there’s a chance of rain.

All things considered, this is a 4.5-star mid-layer for me that’s going to be in play across all four seasons. If it works for your budget, I’m pretty confident that you’ll agree.

Visit the Rab Promise page to learn more about Rab Warranty and aftercare services.

About the author

Ross Tugwood is a contributing equipment writer for LFTO. Before becoming a sports journalist he spent a decade supporting elite athletes as a biomechanist with British Athletics, which included two Olympic cycles.

These days, his day job sees him write and tests kit for Today's Golfer as a senior writer, but when he's not at his desk he's often exploring near his home in the wild and wonderful Snowdonia National Park, North Wales.