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Rab Nucleus Hoody - Women's Review

This light fleece is a high-performance layer that is breathable and comfortable.
Rab Nucleus Hoody
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Price:  $140 List | $89.98 at Backcountry
Compare prices at 2 resellers
Pros:  Lightweight, breathable, full-length zipper and a hood
Cons:  Not very warm, no weather resistance
Manufacturer:   Rab
By Amber King & Cam McKenzie Ring  ⋅  Oct 17, 2019
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78
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#3 of 13
  • Warmth - 20% 5
  • Comfort - 20% 8
  • Breathability - 20% 9
  • Layering Ability - 20% 9
  • Ease of Movement - 15% 9
  • Weather Resistance - 5% 5

Our Verdict

The Rab Nucleus Hoody was redesigned in 2018, and we love the changes. The new material is stretchy and comfortable, with a high range of motion in the arms and shoulders. The full-length zipper lets you take it on and off easily, and the zippered hand pockets help you secure your valuables. It functions as both a technical and casual layer. It can be used with a climbing harness or belt, but the zippers aren't high enough to be accessed while doing so. It breathes well and will get you from point a to point b, thermoregulating all the way. We love the price, making it a high-value technical fleece option.


Compare to Similar Products

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Awards  Editors' Choice Award   Top Pick Award 
Price $89.98 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers		$169.00 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers		$132.69 at Amazon$124.93 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers		$178.95 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers
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Pros Lightweight, breathable, full-length zipper and a hoodBreathable, durable, helmet compatible hood, awesome thermoregulation, high valueBalaclava hood with neck gaiter, good wind and water protection for a fleeceSuper cozy materials, stylish, lightweight, warmSuper breathable, wind and water resistance, lightweight design, layers easily
Cons Not very warm, no weather resistanceNot weather resistant, expensiveNot very breathable, expensiveExpensive, not the most breathable, zipper slipsTight through the shoulders, expensive, stinky after one use
Bottom Line This light fleece is a high-performance layer that is breathable and comfortable.The reigning champion that simply can't be beat for versatility.A technical jacket for alpine and ice climbing, or other active sports in colder climates.The lightweight and stylish fleece is built for town and leisurely hikes.Our favorite for aerobic activities during the winter months.
Rating Categories Rab Nucleus Hoody - Women's R1 Full Zip Hoody Fortrez Hoody Kyanite Hoody Vigor Hybrid Hoody
Warmth (20%)
10
0
5
10
0
8
10
0
7
10
0
8
10
0
4
Comfort (20%)
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
6
Breathability (20%)
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
7
10
0
7
10
0
10
Layering Ability (20%)
10
0
9
10
0
9
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
9
Ease Of Movement (15%)
10
0
9
10
0
10
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
9
Weather Resistance (5%)
10
0
5
10
0
4
10
0
9
10
0
6
10
0
8
Specs Rab Nucleus Hoody... R1 Full Zip Hoody Fortrez Hoody Kyanite Hoody Vigor Hybrid Hoody
Type Lightweight Midweight Midweight Lightweight Midweight
Main Fabric Thermic fleece & Power Grid Polartec PowerGrid(93% recycled polyester/7% spandex) Polartec Power Stretch with Hardface Technology (88% polyester, 12% elastane) Nylon, polyester Nylon, polyester
Unique Features Close fitting hood fits under a helmet Hidden zippered pocket, balaclava hood fits under a helmet, brick-patterned insulation balances breathability and warmth Balaclava hood with neck gaiter Stretchy, abrasion-resistant fabric, gussets for movement Insulated front and back panel, breathable arms
Weight (ounces) 11.2 11.9 11.9 11.2 10.2
# of Pockets 2 (hand) 2 (hand), 1 hidden zippered pocket (right hand) 3 (2 hand, 1 arm) 2 hand 2 (2 hand, 1 chest)
Hood Option? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Rab Nucleus is made with a "Thermic" stretch fleece. Rab calls it a mid-weight fleece, but it feels more like a lightweight option. It's light, breathable, and will get you from your car, high into the mountains without a problem. It's a great option if you're looking for a technical fleece that is inexpensive relative to the competition.

Performance Comparison


Out for a pre-dawn mission in the Nucleus Hoody. This layer kept us warm when hiking fast on a cold start and it's highly breathable. The pockets are a nice option for keeping your hands warm as well.
Out for a pre-dawn mission in the Nucleus Hoody. This layer kept us warm when hiking fast on a cold start, and it's highly breathable. The pockets are a nice option for keeping your hands warm as well.

Warmth


The Nucleus sacrifices warmth for breathability and easy layering. It's one of the thinnest pieces in our test group, and it's made for moving fast in the mountains and not hanging out at camp in cold weather. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as we often need something that will keep us warm on cool days without overheating our bodies.

This fleece is on the thin side and not as warm as many of the other models that we tested. The hood helps retain warmth and it fits nicely under a helmet but it doesn't have the same full face gaiter that the Patagonia R1 and Arc'teryx Fortrez Hoody have.
This fleece is on the thin side and not as warm as many of the other models that we tested. The hood helps retain warmth, and it fits nicely under a helmet, but it doesn't have the same full face gaiter that the Patagonia R1 and Arc'teryx Fortrez Hoody have.

Comfort


The Nucleus is a fairly comfortable layer for several reasons. The interior gridded fleece is soft, and it feels nice against your bare skin — not scratchy at all! The hood is form-fitting but not too tight, and the cut is tapered but not too constricting. We like that the hood fits easily underneath a helmet. It's not quite as plush as other hi-loft models, but we don't mind wearing it all day long. It also features two handwarmer pockets that you can access with a backpack or harness on.

Hand pockets are a nice touch and add to the overall coziness and comfort of a fleece jacket.
Hand pockets are a nice touch and add to the overall coziness and comfort of a fleece jacket.

Breathability


This jacket is highly breathable thanks to the gridded fleece. It feels on par with other technical fleeces that are featured as top picks and award winners in this review. We took it hiking, climbing, and running, and it performed well in all seasons, thanks to its fantastic thermoregulation. The fabric features Grid technology that allows moisture to easily vent from the cracks between the islands of insulation. This, in addition to the pockets, offers some level of ventilation, making it a perfect pick for aerobic sports.

This model uses the same grid technique as the Polartec Power Grid fleeces. The channels offer a thin layer for your moisture to escape.
This model uses the same grid technique as the Polartec Power Grid fleeces. The channels offer a thin layer for your moisture to escape.

Layering Ability & Ease of Movement


The Nucleus is super easy to layer. It works over a thin underlayer, like a sweat-wicking t-shirt or tank top, and then it also layers well under a thicker soft-shell jacket or a windbreaker jacket. The material is stretchy, and there is ample room in the shoulders for climbing or other active pursuits. The full-length zipper is not our favorite option for wearing under a pack or harness, as it can cause pressure points, but the length is long enough so that it doesn't ride up.

We could layer just about every which way with this model. Over a base layer under a heavier jacket with a harness with a backpack etc etc. Our only quibble is that a full-length zipper isn't always the most comfortable option when paired with a waist belt.
We could layer just about every which way with this model. Over a base layer, under a heavier jacket, with a harness, with a backpack, etc, etc. Our only quibble is that a full-length zipper isn't always the most comfortable option when paired with a waist belt.

Weather Resistance


Fleece jackets are not known for their weather resistance, and this one scored about how you might expect a thin fleece would — not very well! Water absorbs straight into the material, and the wind rips right through it.

The exterior of this fleece offers no protection from the elements. Water soaks right in and it doesn't block the wind at all.
The exterior of this fleece offers no protection from the elements. Water soaks right in and it doesn't block the wind at all.

Value


This jacket retails for less than our Editors Choice, making it an attractive pick for the price.

Conclusion


The Rab Nucleus is a lightweight technical fleece that stands out for its great breathability and features. Consider it as a low-priced technical fleece that'll perform for all winter, fall, and spring days. Even wear it on cooler nights in the Summer.

This jacket is fairly plain which we don't mind. It doesn't look too technical or "muppet-like " and it comes in some nice color choices.
This jacket is fairly plain, which we don't mind. It doesn't look too technical or "muppet-like," and it comes in some nice color choices.


— Amber King & Cam McKenzie Ring