Rab Vital Windshell Review

Performance Comparison

Wind Resistance

This is one of the more wind resistant jackets we tested. On fast bike descents on cold mornings, we stayed relatively warm. It scored at the top for this metric. The old Windveil was not quite as wind resistant.

Breathability and Venting

This is where the Vital came up a bit short. In side-by-side tests, while hiking and biking uphill, the Rab felt more clammy inside than the Houdini. This is due to the material and the fact there are so many pockets. It's predecessor, the Windveil, had mesh pockets. If you unzipped the pockets, air could pass in and out. And there was just one layer of nylon. The Vital has pockets lined with nylon. This keeps your sweat from getting to the pocket contents, but it also reduces your venting options.

One cool venting feature it has is a snap across the chest. This allows you to keep the jacket in place, even when fully unzipped.

Weight and Packability

This is a light jacket, but about 40 percent heavier than the Houdini. It conveniently packs into its own pocket and has a secure clip loop. For most people, this is plenty small.

You can see how the size compares with the Houdini below. The Houdini is about half the size. For some people, this is not a big deal. However, if you are trying to get the Vital in a bike bag or other tight space, the Houdini has a clear advantage.

Fit and Functionality

This jacket has three large pockets: two large hand pockets and a big internal pocket. This allows more storage than just about any other wind jacket available. You can easily fit gloves, a hat, your wallet and more. This is a key distinction with the Vital — you can easily integrate it into your everyday life. With the Houdini or other jackets with just one pocket, you're always on the hunt for a place to put energy bars or extra stuff.

Water Resistance

We're not super impressed with the DWR coating. Below you can see how the water beads on the Patagonia Houdini but starts to soak in on the Vital. We recommend looking at ways to enhance the DWR coating with third-party products if you plan to encounter much rain.

Best Applications

This is a great everyday jacket. All the pocket space allows plenty of storage. If hiking, you can keep everything you need handy, whether it's a map or energy bar. We found this contender better for hikers than for runners or bikers.

Value

This is the best value we've seen in a wind jacket that has pockets.

Conclusion

While this jacket did not win Editors' Choice, it still may be the best option for you if you want the extra pocket space.