Sharpie from United States, CO Public Profile

I had to submit a review for this jacket in response to the review above, because of the prior reviewer's complaints which I just strongly disagree with.

Rab primarily makes apparel for climbers, which is exactly where this jacket excels. The very features the prior reviewer didn't like are exactly why the jacket is good for climbers (and for bikers, for that matter). In list form:

The two-way zipper - this is great for climbers so that you can zip the jacket up above your harness while you are belaying.
The high pockets - these are specifically placed high so that you can access them while wearing a harness over the jacket.
The gigantic hood - it fits over a climbing helmet. Most rain jacket hoods don't.

It's also worth noting that these features make this a good biking jacket if you bike in the snow or rain often.

Overall the jacket is light-weight, probably a little less bomber than a 3-layer GoreTex shell but I have yet to use it in really heavy rain, so we'll see. I will say it's less breathable than a nice GoreTex or some of the newer fabrics like FutureLight or AscentShell; but the upside is that it's quite affordable for a waterproof, windproof shell.

It packs down quite small, but unfortunately doesn't include a stuff pocket, so I roll it up and stash it in the (very generously sized) hood.

The wrist cuffs are well-designed and allow you to wear even bulky gloves beneath hook-and-loop straps. A number of adjustment draw cords let you dial in the hem and hood

The Alpha Direct has exposed Polartech Alpha insulation lining the interior, with a Pertex shell material on the exterior. The insulation wicks moisture very well, and is also surprisingly warm for its light weight.

The jacket is quite slim-fitting, allowing it to be worn as a mid- or outer-layer. The sleeves are quite long, so a good jacket for someone with a high ape index but probably not ideal for folks with shorter arms. The hood has no adjustment points, but it works pretty well for me despite that. The fitted cuffs have a good amount of elasticity, making it easy to move them up around slim-fitting gloves.

The jacket is good for shoulder-season belaying, since it features a two-way zipper - great for operating an ATC or running a rope from a harness hard point.

I wore these gloves for two seasons, lost a pair, and immediately ordered another. I dread the day when I lose my second pair, since they aren't made anymore. I even went to REI to try to find a substitue and couldn't find anything that work the way these do.

These gloves are incredible for spring skiing (my main use for them), hiking/camping/backpacking in the shoulder season, cold-weather bike rides...you name it! They are lightly insulated and very waterproof, with a very good level of dexterity for the amount of protection they offer. The palm has a grippy rubber pattern that works well with ski poles or bike handles, and there's even a soft patch of nose-wipe material.

They clasp very well around the wrist with velcro closure straps, and can be used under jacket cuffs or over a light fleece.

These are by far my most commonly-used gloves here in Colorado. They perfectly fit my hands, without enough space to add a liner for extra warmth - which might mean they don't fit your hands, but they're sure worth a shot!

This jacket has very high-quality, water-resistant down, and is very warm for its weight. It works well as a belay jacket in medium-cold temperatures, and also has a roomy fit to enable layering beneath it. It's surprisingly capable as an outer layer, with both the outer material and the water-resistant down increasing its performance in rough weather.

The helmet-compatible hood is pretty good with a helmet on, but isn't ideal if you aren't planning to wear one. The adjustment points on the hood just don't let you cinch it down enough to work well without a helmet, and the velcro tightening system isn't very refined.

The cuffs are very comfortable and work surprisingly well with either over- or under-cuff gloves.

The material is pretty loud, like a lot of down jackets. The clever baffle design maximizes heat retention, and does a great job for the weight of the jacket.

The stuff sack is probably my least favorite feature - partly because it's just bigger than it needs to be (it ends up being about the size of a high-quality shoulder-season sleeping bag), and because it has an uncomfortable large toggle on it that makes it less than ideal to pack into the inner chest pocket. I think a significantly smaller stuff sack (or ideally an inverted pocket) would have been better.

This is a stylish, comfortable fleece with a nice feel and an overall slightly boxy cut. It's pretty warm - good for Colorado winters, with a baselayer below. I personally love wool, so I'm a fan of this approach, which combines wool with gridded fleece on the interior.

It's not a particularly technical piece. It won't be going with me on long backpacking trips because it doesn't pack down small, and doesn't have a waist cinch to protect against wind. But it's great for a hike, or just to wear around town.

One interesting aspect is the chest pocket, which is a little lower than you'd usually expect. Mountain Hardwear does this in some of its technical outerwear so that a backpack sternum strap doesn't interfere with pocket use - so that's another point for hiking, but I'd say it looks very slightly odd.

These pants are great - this is my second pair. They have a really great amount of stretch, plus a pretty effective DWR finish in case you get caught out in the rain. They're my go-to for biking or climbing when I expect possible inclement weather. They also look reasonably professional for outdoor gear - if they were made in actual black color, you could wear them disguised as slacks.

The only downside is that the inseam on the smaller waist sizes (30, 28) is a little shorter than I would prefer. I'm tallish and lanky, and I'd like another 1 to 2 inches on the leg length if I could have my every wish.

The 5-Pocket version of the AP pants is a better work pant but slightly less classy. The non-5-pocket version can almost be treated as slacks, and work for both work and play settings. The 5-pocket version adds a pocket on the right thigh, which is great for dropping a phone into during a bike ride, or holding tools if you're out working in the field.

The material is mostly cotton, but has just a little bit of stretch to make these pants usable for activities like climbing. The only thing to think about is that they're not particularly breathable, so they shouldn't be your first choice for a hike on a really hot day.

These pants are great for skinny guys - a very slightly baggy fit for comfort, but more of a slim pant than anything.