Rab Valiance Waterproof Down Jacket Review

Rab Valiance is a warm and durable jacket designed for wild winter walking days. Its narrow bonded box-wall construction stabilizes, keeping it lofted and trapping maximum air for warmth. The hood and cuffs are insulated with synthetic Pyrotec material, which won’t wet out as quickly as down when it gets wet.

Waterproof

The Rab Valiance Waterproof Down Jacket has a Pertex Shield outer that keeps the rain and winds out of your jacket. It also has fully taped seams which are designed to prevent leaks.

The down used in the jacket is 800-fill-power hydrophobic, making it waterproof even when wet. It also has a narrow bonded box wall construction that stabilizes the down and allows it to loft and trap as much air as possible for warmth.

It uses YKK Aquaguard zips in the two hand warmer pockets and the main front zip. These have a smooth action and are easy to use. The jacket is machine washable, but using a down-specific washing powder is essential, or you may end up with wet, non-insulating down clumps.

It’s also not recommended to dry clean your jacket as stripping the natural “good” oils from the down plumes can cause it to lose its insulating qualities. Instead, let it air dry or put it in the dryer on low heat with a couple of tennis balls to help break up any clumps or down.

Insulated

The Valiance is insulated with 800 fill-power hydrophobic down, treated to resist moisture. This makes it an excellent choice for wet weather, especially when combined with the Pertex Shield shell fabric and fully taped seams.

The narrow bonded box-wall construction stabilizes the down and allows it to loft, maximizing thermal regulation. The jacket also has Stratus synthetic insulation in the cuffs and hood to provide resilience and a fast-drying solution to wet weather.

The Valiance hood is helmet compatible and has a wired peak for a good fit. The cuffs are adjustable with drawcords, and the YKK front zip is easy to use with gloves. There are two hands warmer pockets and a secure internal security pocket for your valuables. The insulation and shell fabrics are durable, so this is a jacket you can wear on a variety of mountain pursuits. It is ideal for cold conditions where you can expect light to moderate precipitation, like on alpine hikes.

Comfortable

This jacket is warm enough to keep you comfortable on a frigid winter day without requiring you to wear a heavy shell layer over it. It features a high insulating rating, keeping you warmer for longer while moving. It also features a hood that fits over most beanie heads and has adjustable cuffs and hems to seal out wind.

The jacket is filled with Pyrotec synthetic down, which prevents it from losing insulation effectiveness when wet. It also uses a narrow, bonded box-wall construction to trap the maximum amount of air for a given weight of down. Every seam is taped to prevent water leakage, and the jacket is designed to maintain its waterproof properties even in wet conditions.

Rab’s Valiance Waterproof Down Jacket is durable and protective for cold-weather hikers and climbers. Its combination of a waterproof Pertex Shield outer and 800-fill-power ethically sourced hydrophobic down provides serious protection from the elements, making it perfect for hikers and mountaineers.

Durable

The Rab Valiance Waterproof Down Jacket has a durable Pertex Shield shell that protects you from rain, snow, and sleet. The face fabric is treated with a DWR to keep light moisture out. However, the DWR can become ineffective over time as dirt, smoke, sweat, and food clog the fabric and reduce its ability to repel water.

The hood is helmet-compatible and has a wired peak for a comfortable fit. Its adjustment is easy to use even with gloves on. The hand-warmer pockets use YKK Aquaguard zips and are smooth to operate.

The Valiance is filled with 800-fill-power hydrophobic down. Its bonded box-wall construction traps maximum air for the weight of the down. This is ideal for high-output activities in cold weather. The hood and wrist cuffs are also filled with Pyrotec synthetic insulation to prevent moisture from building up in these areas. The insulation is sourced ethically without animal cruelty and has a transparent supply chain.