Rab Xenon Hoodie 2.0 - Women's Review

The Rab Xenon 2.0 is a midweight jacket with a balaclava hood and a slim, relaxed fit. Its exterior is 30D Pertex Quantum ripstop with a single bungee adjustment point at the waist. It has three pockets (two zippered hand pockets and an internal zippered chest pocket) and packs into its own chest pocket.

Warmth

The Xenon 2.0 is a midweight layer that's warmer than average for its thickness. But where it really excels in its warmth is its exceptional and extensive coverage. By far, the Xenon has the longest sleeves and torso of any model in our lineup. The sleeves extend beyond their elastic cuff, blousing over to keep the backs of our hands warm — even on our long-armed tester with an abnormally high ape index! The torso of the Xenon is so long that our 5'4" tester could cinch it tight at the bottom of her butt to stay toasty warm.

The hood also provides more coverage than nearly any other jacket. It's a balaclava-style hood with a fitted shape and a very tall front that covers our mouths. We could wear it over a beanie, though fitting it over a hat with a pom was tight, and wearing it over a helmet is out. It's also very comfortable and warm even without a beanie. A single adjustment point makes it easy to pull the hem bungee tight, and a full-length wind guard blocks the zipper from leaking air. The hand pockets have microfleece on one side, helping to add warmth to the backs of your hands. However, if you're a fan of using your chest pocket, it's on the inside of the jacket, which is less ideal for access in the cold.

Comfort

Though the Xenon 20 has a similarly swishy exterior to many classic puffy jackets, it's softer and more pliable than most of the others we tested. Combined with its flexible insulation, the Xenon is very comfortable to wear and not stiff-feeling. The cuffs have an elastic band inside but let the puffy insulation overhang, giving it that feeling of wearing a comfy sweatshirt.

The Xenon has a slightly tapered waist but an overall relaxed slim fit. It also runs larger than any other jacket we tested — though not to the point where we wanted a size smaller. This impacts its layering ability, though, as it may be difficult to fit a shell over the top of this large jacket. On the other hand, it's much easier to layer underneath. The shoulders allow reasonable movement for those active wearers. We're impressed that this large, warm coat doesn't make us look like a shapeless marshmallow, as some do.

Weather Resistance

In the face of wind, the Xenon 2.0 does very well. No part of the jacket noticeably leaks air, though it is marginally thinner than the handful of jackets that outperformed it in our wind testing. Once again, the extensive coverage of the Xenon comes to its aid. A long, cinchable torso that can cover some or all of your bum, long sleeves that cover the backs of your hands, and a high neck and fitted hood to keep your head warm.

The Xenon proved to be fairly water resistant, too. While a very small amount of water seeped in through the seams in our testing, for the most part, the Pertex Quantum shell of this jacket — designed to be water resistant without additional treatment — does its job. We wouldn't push our luck by wearing it out on a rainy day or all day during a wet snowstorm, but it keeps us reasonably protected.

Weight and Compressibility

The size Small Xenon that we tested weighs 12.1 ounces. It has a reversible zipper on the chest pocket that allows you to pack it into itself. Once done, a carabiner loop makes it easy to clip this package to your harness or backpack.

However, weight and the ability to pack away aren't the only components of this metric. The Xenon is heavier than some others, but it also boasts extra coverage that other jackets don't have. And while many models we tested pack into one of their pockets, the Xenon does so with extreme ease. The zippered opening is large enough to stuff the whole thing through, and we didn't have to cram it in with a fist against the ground or squeeze it between our thighs to zip it shut.

Breathability

The only metric in which the Xenon 2.0 performs just average in our testing is breathability. It's not bad, for a spring day that starts cold but warms up slightly. We happily wore it on several winter hikes without complaint.

But all of the same features that make it so warm and wind-resistant turn against it when it comes to breathability. Extensive coverage and warm insulation just don't breathe well. It lacks any venting options to help combat this, aside from loosening the hem and unzipping the main zipper.

Should You Buy the Rab Xenon 2.0?

The Xenon is a superb all-around jacket that we love for everyday wear and light adventuring. It's also available at a price point that's less than most of the others we tested. But if you need serious breathability, or to wear your jacket over a helmet or under a shell, the Xenon might not quite be the right fit. But for a great all-around comfortable insulated coat with extended coverage, the Xenon 2.0 is our Editor's Choice Award winner and our favorite model yet.

What Other Insulated Jackets Should You Consider?

The Rab Xenon 2.0 is a fantastically useful, cozy, and comfortable jacket that performs well across our metrics and in most situations. If you need a jacket that's more water resistant than this one, check out the Patagonia DAS Light. Or, if you're looking for a layer that more easily fits into a comprehensive layering system, the Arc'teryx Atom is your best bet.