A great all-around climbing jacket - Rab Alpha Direct Jacket - Men's

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.