Rab Vapour-Rise - What it does and how it works

Pioneer of the soft shell concept, the Rab Vapour-rise system provides superior levels of comfort and protection. Vapour-rise balances wicking, warmth and wind resistance to maintain a comfortable micro-climate within the garment through a wide range of activity levels and weather conditions.  It is best worn next to skin, or over a wicking base layer and can be used either as the outer garment (in a single or dual layer) or, in more extreme conditions, as a high performance mid layer under a breathable shell garment.

The benefits...

• Huge versatility, ideal garment for a very wide range of activities and weather conditions
• Very comfortable, even when worn next to the skin
• Extremely breathable, fast wicking and quick drying
• Highly wind and weather resistant
• High durability/abrasion resistance for its weight
• Lightweight and packable, often replaces multiple heavier and bulkier alternative garments

Who should use Rab Vapour-rise?

Vapour-rise has many applications from single layer use in fast moving activities such as mountain biking through to forming part of a moisture management layering system in extreme polar or mountain environments.  The versatility and comfort of Vapour-rise make it one of the most useful pieces of outdoor clothing there is.  It should be essential kit for every walker, mountaineer, climber, mountain biker and off road adventurer.

The RabVapour-rise system has a micro-pile inner which effectively wicks moisture away from the skin and a Pertex Equilibrium outer which ‘pulls’ this moisture to the outside of the fabric where it quickly dries.  The Pertex Equilibrium outer is also wind resistant and the DWR finish sheds rain and snow.

What is Pertex® Equilibrium?

Pertex® Equilibrium fabric combines quick drying capillary action technology conventionally used on base layer products with high wind and water resistance. The resulting fabric moves moisture outward very effectively while resisting wind and water getting in.

How Pertex Equilibrium works

Pertex®Equilibrium® has a unique ‘denier gradient’ structure, a combination of two different yarns with different properties in the same fabric.  On the inside you’ll find a yarn with larger filaments, on the outside a yarn with smaller filaments.  Following the laws of capillary action, moisture will move from larger filaments to smaller filaments.  (You can actually see the different yarns when comparing the inside and outside of the fabric.)  On the outside the smaller filaments have a relatively high surface area which causes the excessive moisture to evaporate quickly.  Through evaporative heat loss Pertex Equilibrium reduces overheating, which in return reduces excessive sweating.  This process creates body temperature ‘Equilibrium’.On the inside the raised yarns of the Equilibrium fabric creates a micro-climate between the skin and fabric. This prevents the fabrics from sticking to the skin during intense activity. It also supports the moisture movement process.