Anyone own a Rab Xenon

Hi Stephen,
Hopefully someone else will weigh in with their opinion too.
I've had mine xenon for about a month and used it quite a bit.
I really like the jacket overall.
The hood is awesome. It turns with my head much better than the Thermawrap that I replaced. I do not miss the adjustment.
I don't intend to use this jacket with a helmet very often, and have not done so yet, so I can't comment on that.
Getting used to the zipper being on the opposite side a little weird for me. Not a complaint, just a personal observation.
Tim

I've had my Xenon since late last summer and echo Tim's thoughts almost exactly.

Rab really nailed the hood – it moves very well and I've never missed the lack of adjustment. Regarding use with a climbing helmet – it compresses underneath one just fine and still moves pretty well (you'll want to loosen the helmet's chin strap a bit), although the compression somewhat limits the warmth provided (still does a nice job keeping the wind out). Trying to fit it over a helmet would be silly – not worth trying.

The zipper – ha, yeah, that threw me off for the first week or so, but now I'm zipper ambidextrous :)

Overall I'd call it best in class when it comes to lightweight 3-season synthetic puffies, although I'd love to see Rab make a less featured version (ie., pullover, single hem adjustment, kangaroo handwarmer pocket, ditch the chest pocket and hood retention clip) to see how light they could make it.

It's certainly top of the heap weight wise for the warmth (now that the Cocoon is dead). Materials and construction are top notch. The inner fabric is the same Quantum GL ripstop as the outer, and has the same excellent DWR, so it's comically hard to get wet.

I've not wanted anything more out of the hood. It drapes well enough that it stays put, plus I rarely use the hood without zipping the jacket most of the way up.

+ 1 on what everyone has said so far. Had mine out 2-3 times a week skiing/ice climbing this winter/spring and I'd say its close to perfection. Amazingly warm for the weight and handles moisture well (resists rain/snow, and also dries you out really quickly if you get your base layers wet). No drawcords is a non-issue. I like the simplicity of not having to mess with them, and like others have said, the hood moves with your head and fits well under a helmet.

In store, fit was pretty goofy even for Rab. Something to be careful about.

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies, I do really like the look and weight of the Xenon.

The reviews all are very positive.

At 250rrp is fairly expensive, might hold off until the next round of sales :-)

I did try on Dead bird Atom Lt but was put off by the fleece panels.

Cheers,

Stephen

I'm not crazy about the aesthetics of the fabric, but overall I love my Rab Xenon. My medium weighs 297 g.

Thats nice and light :-)

i had one for about a week and loved it, but i returned it and bought the stoic hadron hoody because its 4oz lighter, packs smaller, and costs about the came.

You must of got it fairly cheap Greg as the cheapest I have seen one for is 200$

I have a Stoic Hadron pullover (no hood) in addition to my Xenon – and they both have their place. Sure, down is lighter for the warmth (the Hadron is 194g, a full 100g lighter than the Xenon), but if you're going to spend a week in the rainy PNW backcountry, the additional weight of a synthetic jacket makes sense. Wet down does not insulate.

Edit for Stephen – FYI: the lowest price I've seen for the Xenon was last fall at US$110 plus shipping from the one-deal-at-a-time site steapandcheap.com, and the lowest I've seen for Hadron Anorak is US$99 shipped from backcountry.com (this price is currently available for past season colors). Other than at SAC, the Xenon was available for US$135 shipped from departmentofgoods.com last fall. Unfortunately, all of the retailers I just mentioned can only ship Rab products within the US.

Nit exactly UL, but I often carry both Synethic and down :-)

I got my Large for $120 from Department of goods a while back. With a couple of mods, it weighs quite a bit less than the BPL cocoon hoody + has hand warmers (mine is about 285g).

+1 about everything else said about the jacket.

Thats a nice price Jeremy.

Hi Stephen – the hood fits really well – the elasticated edge works a treat. I wouldnt have the thought of the drawcord had you not mentioned it.
The Xenon is a great piece of kit, really light, and is main insulation for milder months especially in damp conditions. I've used it to just below 0c and boosted it with a Montbell Down Inner jacket.
The only downside is quantum GL – i'm dont think this would cope with the abrasion of a heavy rucksack, so i dont use as an active layer when really cold…but ideal for stops and camp wear.
Can get in UK for £100 when in sales.

Cheers Quilty Spark,

Thats good to know the lack of drawcord is not an issue.

I did try one on a few years ago and remember the shell looked quiet fragile

Thanks

Hi Stephen,

Quantum GL is incredibly thin, but its suprisingly robust, just not enough to cope with abrasion from a heavy sack. But then again, i'm sure i read somewhere that RAB didnt recommend the pertex on the Generator jacket to be used with a rucksack either.

Its no big deal, it just when i stop for a break, rucksack is removed and the Xenon put on, when i'm about to set off again i used to be able to leave my insulation on for 10-15mins under the sack. I dont risk doing that now with Quantum GL. I'm not losing any sleep over it.

I am the same with my generator vest, if I was to wear it for a while I would put my wind proof over it.

I finally a Xenon over the weekend.

The hood is a great fit and for its weight its very well featured, the loft does look a bit thin through compared to other 60gm2 pieces I have.