tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4399206197069094470.post7845578913409481076..comments2023-08-14T13:56:23.066+02:00Comments on Thunder In The Night: First Look: Rab Alpine Pull-On ultra-light softshellJoe Newtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00907231785281446095noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4399206197069094470.post-49834631098842789442010-11-29T12:42:30.575+01:002010-11-29T12:42:30.575+01:00Toby - our conversation on this topic spilled over...Toby - our conversation on this topic spilled over onto BPL forums when someone else was having problems with Rab's fit. I'm sure there are many people that don't fit Rab's clothes and many that do. Rab keeps churning out good gear so they must have a good market share. As you mention, I will always try to remind people that Rab products have a slim cut.<br /><br />Yeah, I remember PTC saying that Montane had a bad year with their cut and shape. Thankfully they seem to be back on track!Joe Newtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00907231785281446095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4399206197069094470.post-23099909845222436302010-11-29T09:52:27.434+01:002010-11-29T09:52:27.434+01:00Hi Joe. Just saw your reply on this. Interestingly...Hi Joe. Just saw your reply on this. Interestingly I find Haglöfs medium fits me excellently and has done with a few different items over the years. I would happily mail order Haglöfs medium without a second thought. So I think RAB has a particularly slim fit, which is obviously great if you slim - just like you say! :-) But it's perhaps worth emphasising for people who have to order online rather than try on in a shop. I've found this with consistently with three sized medium Rab tops, and one size large Rab Duvet.<br /><br />I have a Montane Extreme smock from some years back which is a bit of disaster in its fit - but I think they had a 'bad' season back then. Good to hear they are now consistent. It is great to find a brand that consistently fits you. For me I've found Haglöfs and Marmot both very good for my shape.Toby - Northern Light Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14342195033125549912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4399206197069094470.post-45787763960752746052010-11-18T17:49:43.957+01:002010-11-18T17:49:43.957+01:00Toby - "Rab doesn't favour the stocky or ...Toby - "Rab doesn't favour the stocky or broad chested" - and we are happier consumers because of this fact! Mountain Hardwear, The North Farce, Berghaus, Patagonia, Paramo, Mountain Equipment, etc, etc all produce wide cut, boxy apparel for the big and burly out there. Rab, Montane and Haglofs, to name a few, make clothes for the slimmer, multi-sport crowd. Everyone has their 'brand' and there is plenty of choice for everyone.Joe Newtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00907231785281446095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4399206197069094470.post-20128520942130714112010-11-16T15:34:02.383+01:002010-11-16T15:34:02.383+01:00Hi all. I reviewed the Alpine Pull On for UKClimbi...Hi all. I reviewed the Alpine Pull On for UKClimbing earlier this year. http://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/review.php?id=2685 I think it's a good top - but one important thing to note, Rab doesn't favour the stocky or broad chested. I'm a medium with just about all brands but the Pull On in medium is very slightly tight across my chest. Otherwise arm and body length are spot on, and for those reasons I wouldn't want to use a large. I'm sure it is a great fit for slim folks though!Toby - Northern Light Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14342195033125549912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4399206197069094470.post-32439936322857221782010-11-15T21:27:07.025+01:002010-11-15T21:27:07.025+01:00Hi Joe,
I’ve been incommunicado since my post on ...Hi Joe,<br /><br />I’ve been incommunicado since my post on the 9th.<br /><br />You said on the 14th November: “A multi-day, cold ski tour has completely different requirements than what I might wear on a short, sunny fizz around the local groomed ski trails.”<br /><br />Agreed, and I certainly think you are doing the right thing in trying the various options to find what fulfils your needs.<br /><br />One of my brothers ski tours in Norway every year and has used Paramo for at least 15 years now – if you have a copy of Chris Townsend’s book The Backpacking Handbook (3rd Ed) and go to the chapter Adventure Travel – backpacking abroad - there is a photo of my brother (2nd from left) on page 398. <br /><br />Today I was in the hills - lots of snow and it was a perfect day: wall to wall sunshine and a balmy -3C. Lovely to sit on the top, put on a brew and just enjoy the view for an hour. Then the wind got up and spindrift galore and time to head down. I was really toasty – I wore a Buffalo Mountain Shirt and Paramo Cascada trousers. With the benign weather sitting in the sun I did not need to put on another insulating layer over my Mountain Shirt. <br /><br />Cairngorm Mountain opened for the downhill mob this weekend – there is lots of snow in the Scottish Mountains at the moment – all the signs for another hard and snowy winter.<br /><br />Good luck in testing your softshells vs Paramo for your ski touring.<br /><br />Best wishes,<br /><br />Rob fae CraigellachieROBERThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11359725918261163561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4399206197069094470.post-59584381533686751142010-11-14T10:42:37.977+01:002010-11-14T10:42:37.977+01:00Fraser - the idea of VR pants for winter is awesom...Fraser - the idea of VR pants for winter is awesome but I look for a couple of features in winter pants that the current VR pants don't have. Thigh vents are highly desirable, especially when cross country skiing in Spring. I also like my winter pants to have 'crampon patches' (useful for crampons, snowshoes and skis), internal snow/mini gaiters so I don't have to wear seperates and braces, to keep them up and snug (useful if you 'enjoy' rolling around in the snow when you fall off your skis...).<br /><br />Rob - I see Buffalo as a 'true' softshell, the same as Rab's VR concept. The VR gear is just thinner and that suits me as I run very hot and skinning skis uphill in Spring can be very warm. I have worn the Montane Extreme 'Buffalo' style products and they work very well in deep cold conditions.<br /><br />I agree with your comment about membranes, I am trying to rid them from my winter clothing systems. I will be wearing softshell trousers exclusively this winter (albeit with membrane material on the knees). I will also swapping between softshells and Paramo on top in an effort to find the best solutions for the kind of trip I'm on. A multi-day, cold ski tour has completely different requirements than what I might wear on a short, sunny fizz around the local groomed ski trails.Joe Newtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00907231785281446095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4399206197069094470.post-26733923057261816722010-11-09T12:31:35.830+01:002010-11-09T12:31:35.830+01:00Joe,
You said" Expect a big Paramo v softshe...Joe,<br /><br />You said" Expect a big Paramo v softshell v conventional 3-layer system post in January when I'm hoping to pitch all these options together during a week of ski guiding. The stop/start nature of a days guiding will hopefully be a really good test of the various option's abilities to deal with high exertion and long chilling stops."<br /><br />There is of course another option: Buffalo the one layer for winter.I use a Buffalo Mountain shirt with nowt underneath once the temperature falls below 0C and at lunch stop I put on my Montane Toasty over the Buffalo.<br /><br />I only use "layers" when it is above 0C, usually Paramo Analogy if it is torrential rain or one of my windshirts (Paramo/Buffalo/Montane )over a baselayer when it is just showers.<br /><br />I also use Buffalo Techlite for transition months as it is a comfortable top.<br /><br />I never use membranes as they just don't work for me.<br /><br />I still have my Rohan salopettes which are great in snow from the 80's only thing that has needed replacing is the braces which my wife did for me.<br /><br />There are so many variables and what works for one will not for another.<br /><br />Tomorrow I'm in the hills and there is plenty of snow above 2500' so it is a Buffalo day.<br /><br />The wonderful thing about both Buffalo & Paramo is excellent breathability - nothing quite like it.<br /><br />Hope you have a great winter in Norway.<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />Rob fae CraigellachieROBERThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11359725918261163561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4399206197069094470.post-8129529787259101432010-11-08T12:57:52.770+01:002010-11-08T12:57:52.770+01:00I have some Rab VR trousers, which are superb, par...I have some Rab VR trousers, which are superb, particularly in the snow. The cut isn't great for me, I'd prefer them a touch looser, but the fabric performance is faultless...<br /><br />So I reckon you're onto a winner here. Interesting hood setup, looks perfect for wind blown snow...Fraserhttp://mcalisterium.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4399206197069094470.post-53474362763547363582010-11-08T09:43:28.511+01:002010-11-08T09:43:28.511+01:00Maz - well spotted, it's not a Villain on my s...Maz - well spotted, it's not a Villain on my shoulders, it's the Villain's skinny little cousin, the Adventure Light 20. My 'running' pack.<br /><br />Ahh, the Paramo debate. This year I have decided to finally give this Paramo malarky a try and I'm currently using a Velez smock to try out the concept before parting with my hard earned cash. There are some definate advantages to Paramo, such as it's simplicity (just leave it on all day) and it's adaptability (it's a mid-layer, softshell and hardshell all in one) that make it hard to beat. It does however have a few niggles and it's the fit and design of some of the pieces that I'm struggling with. I will go more into depth about it in a post later this week.<br /><br />Roger - thank you. No photographer's assistant on this shoot, just imagination, bodging a tripod and self-timer! More Rab coming up this week...<br /><br />Martin - there will be times, especially skinning up hill on skis where wearing Paramo, even in sub-zero temperatures will be too warm. Does that mean it would make sense to carry the Alpine Pull-On as well? I don't know, but I'm going to have plenty of fun trying out these combinations this winter! :-)<br /><br />Thomas - Thanks. Expect a big Paramo v softshell v conventional 3-layer system post in January when I'm hoping to pitch all these options together during a week of ski guiding. The stop/start nature of a days guiding will hopefully be a really good test of the various option's abilities to deal with high exertion and long chilling stops.Joe Newtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00907231785281446095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4399206197069094470.post-9669683636464794932010-11-07T21:15:35.526+01:002010-11-07T21:15:35.526+01:00I really liked your review, nice pictures and just...I really liked your review, nice pictures and just the right amount of information. Looking forward to hearing about your long term experiences with it.Thomas W. Gauperaahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12105502216379157728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4399206197069094470.post-45944699883403634092010-11-07T18:38:54.276+01:002010-11-07T18:38:54.276+01:00Nice kit and I have a weeks winter walk this year...Nice kit and I have a weeks winter walk this year in Scotland. This might just be on the kit list as it would be comfy as heck. Then I do have a Paramo top and wonder if it does the same as the RAB top?Martin Ryehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03719332121719827761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4399206197069094470.post-83043112621524040982010-11-07T18:13:28.488+01:002010-11-07T18:13:28.488+01:00Great photos in B&W, Joe, it seems that you h...Great photos in B&W, Joe, it seems that you had a helper for the photography, or you moved quickly : ). The jacket looks great, I love Rab stuff and I am forever looking for the perfect "for me" Rab outfit. I look forward to hearing more about all of your Rab gear.Nielsen Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16493125853192182579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4399206197069094470.post-37017856634318550212010-11-07T17:32:41.775+01:002010-11-07T17:32:41.775+01:00Doesn't look like a Villain on your shoulders ...Doesn't look like a Villain on your shoulders there. Or is it one of the older/new versions...?<br /><br />As for the Rab Alpine - the water resistance of softshells has always given me pause but pertex equilibrium is a very different animal. I've gone for Páramo this winter, mostly because I'll be in Scotland in hellish weather for some of it and, for my Snowdonia and Lake District overnighters as well. I'll only have a base layer underneath it - a thickish one for really cold (Páramo Mountain Pull On) and a thinner one for less frigid conditions. It may be I don't get on with Páramo but I like it so far. I can skip a mid-layer with it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10023592697740977989noreply@blogger.com