Rab Bergen (jacket)

From Guides

Contents 1 Rab Bergen 1.1 Rab's own description 1.2 Technical specification 2 Reviews 2.1 Bergen review by Clunk 2.1.1 Advantages 2.1.2 Disadvantages 2.1.3 Summary 2.2 Bergan Reveiw by ant 2.3 Photos 3 External Links

Rab Bergen

Rab's own description

"At only 500g the Bergen is a great year round mountain walking jacket, balancing full protection with low weight and pack size. With additional storm proof features this is the jacket for use trekking and mountain walking where bad conditions can be expected."

Technical specification

1. 3 layer eVent® storm fabric
2. 2 sealed outer pockets with innovative drainage system, 1 inner security pocket
3. Internal and external storm flap over main zip
4. Fully adjustable wire peak hood and retaining flap
5. Lumbar draw cord, hem drawcord and adjustable cuffs create storm proof seal
6. 500g

Reviews

Bergen review by Clunk

View original post in the forums (March 2008)

Advantages

• The jacket has a large adjustable hood which can be used with a helmet and gives a nice snug fit ragardless of what you have under it.
• All the adjustments on this jacket can be made with one hand, and i particularly like the waist adjusters situated inside the two front pockets (that have waterproof zips and a little hood for each zip pull to go under). The hood can be adjusted quickly by simply grabbing the two draw strings with one hand and pulling down, you can see them on this front view.

Disadvantages

• There is only one down side that i have found - the length of the jacket. It could do with being a little longer, but as long as you remember to tuck your base layers into your waterproof pants you wont have any problems.

Summary

This is an excellent jacket for walking or biking - it has coped with some really heavy down pours, and its a good wind stopper in a gale. The EVENT fabric lives up to its growing reputation and keeps you warm and dry regardless of the amount of activity. It takes a while for the wicking to start, but once it kicks in you will be glad you got one.

Something to note is the hood storage flap, which some people find to be a pain, although I honestly dont find it a problem myself. It doesn't stick in the back of my neck, and I don't even know its there. It's great if the rain starts suddenly and all you have to do is grab the flap and your hood's free to put over your head. One small (but nice) feature is the inner storm flap behind the front zip - a channel to catch any rain that might get past the outer storm flap and zip, which it then directs it to the bottom of the jacket and out onto your waterproof pants.

I wouldn't hesitate recomending this jacket to everyone as a hiking and biking jacket.

Bergan Reveiw by ant

The Jacket is clearly well made, and durable. So far I have been unable to test it in a heavy shower but its been fine in all the light showers we've had. i've not noticed any breathability but it might be because it hasn't had time to start breathing.

I've had this jacket over a week now and have used it in light showers, heavy showers and hailstone showers. Still not noticed the breathability but thats probably a good thing. either that, or my other layers are absorbing all the sweat. I've been wearing it near enough constantly for college, and whilst out on local walks. Its comfortable to wear, and the way the hood rolls up and is secured by a tab is very handy as it saves time compared to a conventional hood secured under a flap with a zip of velcro.The hoods adustablily is great. Providing a snug fit without any substantial reduction to visability. Pockets.. These a huge. see photos at bottom of page to see how big they are.

Now. I may go and complete the set and buy the Rab Bergen pants when I have the money for them.

Photos

Large hood, suitable for use with helmets.	Adjustable hood.	One of the two hem adjusters.
The inner storm flap.

External Links

• Rab's Bergen product page