Rab Outdoor Clothing & Equipment

Rab is a premium British outdoor brand with decades of expertise in technical insulation and waterproof outerwear. Founded in Sheffield and built on a heritage of climbing and alpine performance, Rab designs jackets and sleeping bags for people who take their time in the mountains seriously. At Dwights, we stock a focused selection of Rab's most trusted jackets — from ultralight packable down insulation to hardshell rain protection built for NZ's demanding conditions. Whether you're planning a multi-day tramp or preparing for an alpine route, there's a Rab jacket suited to the job.

Rab Insulated Jackets

Rab's insulated jacket range centres on high-quality down fill and thoughtful construction for active use in cold conditions. The Rab Microlight Alpine uses 750-fill hydrophobic down — treated to resist moisture — in an ultralight shell that compresses to a tiny packed size. It's a go-to mid-layer for trampers who want serious warmth without the weight. The Rab Valiance steps things up with a waterproof outer membrane combined with down insulation, offering a versatile all-in-one jacket for shoulder-season and winter trips where rain and cold arrive together. Browse the full insulated jackets collection to compare options.

Rab Rain Jackets & Hardshells

For dedicated waterproof protection, the Rab Kangri GTX is the serious tramping option in Dwights' Rab range. Built with GORE-TEX fabric, the Kangri GTX is engineered for sustained exposure to rain, wind, and alpine conditions — not just a light shower on the way to the car. It features a helmet-compatible hood, reinforced high-wear areas, and a cut that works well with a pack. If your tramping takes you onto exposed ridgelines or into serious backcountry, this is the Rab rain jacket to reach for. See the full rain jackets collection for more hardshell options.

Frequently Asked Questions — Rab

What Rab products does Dwights stock?

Dwights stocks a carefully selected range of Rab insulated jackets and waterproof rain jackets. In insulated jackets, you'll find the Rab Microlight Alpine — a 750-fill hydrophobic down jacket that packs down to an incredibly small size — and the Rab Valiance, a waterproof down jacket that combines insulation with weather protection. For serious rain jackets, Dwights carries the Rab Kangri GTX, a hardshell jacket built with GORE-TEX for demanding alpine and tramping conditions.

Which Rab jacket is best for NZ tramping?

For most NZ tramping, the Rab Kangri GTX is the standout choice when reliable waterproof protection is the priority — it uses GORE-TEX fabric and is built to handle sustained rain and exposed ridgelines. If you need a packable insulating layer to pair with a separate shell, the Rab Microlight Alpine is excellent: ultralight, compressible, and treated with hydrophobic down that resists moisture. The Rab Valiance suits trampers who want a single jacket that combines warmth and weather resistance, particularly on shoulder-season trips.

Rab Microlight Alpine vs Rab Valiance — what's the difference?

The Rab Microlight Alpine is a pure insulated layer — ultralight, highly packable, and filled with 750-fill hydrophobic down that continues to insulate even when exposed to light moisture. It's designed to be worn under a separate waterproof shell. The Rab Valiance goes a step further by adding a waterproof outer membrane, meaning it can function as a standalone jacket in wet conditions without needing a separate rain layer over the top. If you already own a good hardshell and want the lightest insulation possible, go Microlight Alpine. If you prefer a single jacket that handles both warmth and rain, the Valiance is the better fit.

Is Rab good for NZ conditions?

Yes — Rab is well-suited to the variable and often unpredictable conditions found across New Zealand's mountains and tracks. Their jackets are built with a focus on performance in cold, wet environments, which matches NZ tramping conditions closely. The use of hydrophobic down treatments in jackets like the Microlight Alpine addresses one of the key challenges of NZ's high-moisture environment, where standard down can lose loft when damp. Rab's waterproof hardshells, including the Kangri GTX, are designed for genuine alpine use rather than casual urban wear.

How do I care for a Rab down jacket?

Wash your Rab down jacket in a front-loading machine on a gentle cycle using a specialist down cleaner — avoid top-loaders with agitators as they can damage the baffles. Tumble dry on low heat with a couple of clean tennis balls or dryer balls to break up clumps and restore loft; this may take several cycles. Never dry clean a down jacket. When storing, keep it uncompressed in a breathable storage sack or hung in a wardrobe — storing it stuffed in its stuff sack for extended periods can damage the down clusters over time. Always ensure the jacket is fully dry before storing to prevent mildew.