A closer look at the all-new range of cycling-specific clothing from one of the biggest names in outdoor clothing.
The Rab name is synonymous with high-quality, robust clothing, sleeping bags and mountaineering equipment. Founded in 1982 by Scottish mountaineer Rab Carrington, Rab was born from a love of time spent outdoors, in the mountains and in the harshest conditions imaginable. After a trip to Patagonia where his gear failed to arrive at port, Rab Carrington spent the next 6 months in Argentina and taught himself how to sew sleeping bags. After returning to the UK, Carrington moved to the edge of the Peak District to build Rab into the brand it is today, with the aim of offering lightweight, durable, high quality products to people who demand the more of their equipment.
Cinder – a new adventure for Rab
With Cinder, Rab has taken its extensive knowledge of clothing fit, textiles and waterproofing and created a specific range of jackets, pants, bib shorts and accessories that encompass all shapes cycling. From hiking to mountain hiking, the Cinder range is made to do it all.
We’ve had the pleasure of testing the kit over the past few months – here are our initial thoughts on a few pieces of clothing.
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Rab Cinder Kinetic Jacket
The Cinder Kinetic Jacket sits at the top of the Cinder range in terms of waterproofing, breathability and fit. It uses Rab’s patented ProFlex material – a fabric that feels like a softshell, so it feels nice and forgiving on the skin and stretches easily where needed, but retains all the waterproof and breathability properties of ‘a conventional hardshell. This is absolutely unlike anything we’ve tried before. The waterproofing (if that’s a term) is also excellent. I’ve tried this jacket in some of the UK’s most fiendish conditions and it hasn’t put me out. The most important thing to remember is that you don’t get that “wet plastic bag” feeling when riding, which is often found with hardshell jackets once your body has warmed up. The MVTR rating of 35,000 g/m2/24 hours allows this jacket to wick away heat. not like the others.
The jacket has a few useful little details that make it much easier to live with compared to other jackets we’ve tested. For example, the adjustable elastic strap on the hood allows for easy adjustment to your helmet. The chest and back pockets are very easy to open and close – a must for a riding jacket. There’s also a hold-down toggle to hug the bottom of the jacket against your body to keep out the worst elements. There are even specific cuts for men and women.
Overall, the Kinetic Jacket is the complete opposite of a “buy cheap, buy twice” piece of clothing. If you take care of it, the Cinder Kinetic Jacket will last you a very long time.
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Rab Cinder Phantom Jacket
This is another garment from Rab that showcases his incredible textile and cutting heritage. The Phantom jacket weighs only 99 grams, with the stuff sack included. This featherweight raincoat is ultra-thin and compact, making it perfect when the forecast isn’t too certain. The stuff sack has a pair of handy elastic ties that allow you to attach the jacket to your frame, meaning you’ll never have to worry about not having a raincoat on hand at mid-term.
The Phantom jacket has a fitted hood under the helmet. This reduces the weight and volume of the garment, while still keeping your head dry. Breathability is also very good and is further facilitated by the ultra-thin fabric.
The Phantom jacket isn’t as durable as the Kinetic jacket, but that’s not its goal. This is a thin, on-the-go waterproof layer designed for sudden changes in weather. The garment looks like a much more refined and premium version of the Endura FS-260 Pro Adrenaline Race Cape, but with a hood and proper waterproof capability.
This jacket has become a faithful friend on our after-work outings and long-distance missions due to its pack-and-forget nature and ultra-light weight.
A familiar name
The Rab Cinder range is a brand new adventure for the brand. Initially, it can be difficult for new brands to establish themselves in the cycling industry with such constant and fierce competition. However, with Cinder, Rab brings something new to the table. Proper waterproofing technology based on decades of mountaineering experience, tailored cycling fit and appropriate cutting-edge fabric technology. We’ve seen many brands come and go over the years, but I think Rab Cinder will soon be a household name for premium, high-performance cycling clothing.