Thursday, January 30, 2025

Rab Xenair Alpine Flex Jacket & Cirrus Flex Insulated Hooded Jacket Reviews

 Article by Jeff and Allison Valliere

In the article, we review the Xenair Alpine Flex Jacket and Cirrus Flex Insulated Hooded Jacket with our testing this winter in the mountains above Boulder, Colorado.

 

Rab Xenair Alpine Flex Jacket $200 (available April 2025)


354g/12.5oz (size M)

Sizes S-XXL


Description:  The NEW Xenair Alpine Flex Jacket is a lightweight, packable active insulated jacket that has fleece side panels for extra breathability and mobility. The Xenair Alpine Flex is an adaptable layer that can be worn alone as an outer layer or as a technical mid layer. It does a great job regulating your body temperature, be it high output running in cold temps, easy jogs, snowshoeing, skiing  and  even has enough versatility and style for casual day to day use.


Details/Features:

20D Pertex® Quantum Air with fluorocarbon-free DWR 

Thermic™ stretch fleece side panels

20D recycled nylon

40gsm PrimaLoft® Gold Active+ insulation (55% recycled content) throughout

Body-mapped insulation with zoned areas of uninsulated panels to aid thermoregulation

Lightweight YKK® VISLON® center front zip with chin guard

Pre-curved and articulated sleeves for improved fit and movement

2 YKK® zippered hand pockets, one of which doubles as an integrated stuff sack with harness attachment loop

Lightweight single-sided rear hem adjustment with anti-snag tether

Outer: 100% Polyamide with Acrylic coating, Panels: 94% Polyester, 6% Elastane, Lining: 100% Polyamide (Recycled), Insulation 55% Polyester (Recycled), 45% Polyester

Fit: Slim

In the  photos above and below, you can see the Pertex/Primaloft main panels covering the front, back, shoulders/hood/top of arms and the Thermic stretch fleece on the sides and underarms, which offers welcome breathability as well as some stretch to aid in mobility.




There is a convenient waist cinch to keep the hem from riding up and to keep out snow/drafts when needed.


The left hand pocket doubles as an integrated storage pocket.


The jacket stuffs into the pocket very easily, making for a nice compact way to carry it on the go, ready to use at anytime.  Some stuff pockets can be very difficult as they are too small and even impossible to zip, but this is not the case here and the ease/convenience encourages one to actually utilize this feature.


The wrist cuffs are smooth, comfortable and give my wrists good coverage, without any loose material or excess.  They stay put and even fit fine over large GPS watches.



The hood does not have an adjustable cinch cord, but has enough elasticity to snug up to keep it in place when it is windy and I feel snug with it up.

Size/Fit:  Fit is described as slim, which I would agree with.  I wear a size medium almost always (I am 5’9”/145 lbs) and a medium here is perfect.  Despite being slim fit, it is not at all snug or constricting with no extra bulk that could be prone to bunching and has just enough room underneath for a long sleeve base layer.  If you feel like you might want to layer underneath beyond a base layer, then consider sizing up.


Performance/Conclusions:  

The Xenair is highly technical and super versatile.  I have been wearing it for a wide range of activities from trail running, hiking, XC skiing, snowshoeing and also quite often for casual wear.  


I have run, skied and snowshoed in temps down into the low 20’s with just a merino long sleeve base layer, where I find it to be very well insulated with the Primaloft Gold+ insulation throughout most of the jacket providing ample warmth. 


 It has just enough ventilation/breathability utilizing the Thermic stretch side panels that continue along under the arms to prevent overheating when pushing hard.  If the wind picks up in lower temps, or is  combined with heavy snow, I will add a shell to keep out the wind and moisture, but in light wind and light snow, protection is adequate.  


Even when going hard, I do not sweat as quickly as other hooded mid layers due to the Thermic panels and it dries quickly.  

When damp with sweat, the Xenair does a great job retaining heat without feeling clammy (provided you are still moving and producing heat).  

It is somewhat stripped down and no frills, without a hood cinch or Napoleon pocket  (but does have a waist cinch), so it is very lightweight, yet provides a surprising warmth to weight ratio and packs compactly and tidy into the stuff pocket.  


After a few months of rigorous testing, durability seems to be very good with no signs of wear. 


 I would highly recommend the Xenair to anyone looking for a versatile layering piece that can perform in a wide range of temperatures and conditions, be it in the winter, spring, fall or even to pack along for summertime high mountain adventures.



By Jeff Valliere and Allison Valliere


Rab Cirrus Flex Insulated Hooded Jacket ($185, available now)


446g/15.7oz (size M)


Description:  Lightweight and packable, the Cirrus Flex Hoodie is an excellent year round synthetic insulation option, versatile enough to bring along for any mountain adventure.  Featuring high lofting PrimaLoft Silver Rise insulation, the Cirrus Flex strikes a very good balance between a bulky puffer and a minimal mid layer, with plenty of insulation for cold days, yet is breathable with Thermic stretch fleece side panels for breathability, less bulk and mobility.  


Details/Features:


The Cirrus Flex features larger baffles to allow the Primaloft Silver Rise to expand more and thus retain more heat.  

The Pertex outer lining is thin, but with a ripstop design seems durable and is pliable for an easy moving feel and freedom of movement.



The collar has a fleece lining that is nice and soft, making the Cirrus Flex feel extra cozy.


The hem has a cinch cord to keep out snow and drafts.


There is also an integrated stuff pocket.  Stuffing the jacket into the pocket is not super easy (would do it at the house or car, but probably not mess with it in the field).


Further enhancing the freedom of movement feel, are the stretch Thermic fleece side panels that help minimize the bulky feeling and allow for just the right amount of breathability.

The hood does not have a cinch, but has elastic stretch sides that snug up appropriately.  Even if it is windy, there is no flapping.


Size/Fit:  

Jeff:  Fit is described as slim, which I would agree with.  I wear a size medium almost always (I am 5’9”/145 lbs) and a medium here is perfect with the Cirrus Flex Hoodie.  

Despite being slim fit, it is not at all snug or constricting, and has  no extra bulk that could be prone to bunching and has just enough room underneath for a long sleeve base layer.  If you feel like you might want to layer underneath beyond a base layer, then consider sizing up.  The cut of the Cirrus Flex has a flattering taper to it.

Allison:  I wear a size small jacket/top almost always (if not small, then XS) and the  size small in the Cirrus Flex fits me perfectly (5’6”/115lbs).  As Jeff describes, the fit is slim, but is not snug or constricting and I have ample room for a long sleeve base layer and even an extra thin zip up layer underneath without feeling tight.  The hood is snug over my head and is not at all susceptible to flapping in the wind.  The arms are the perfect length and the length of the jacket is long enough to provide a bit of extended coverage with no risk of riding up (the internal waist cinch helps with this as well).



Our daughter Isabelle modeling the jacket in Rocky Mountain National Park


Performance/Conclusions:

Jeff:  I have used the Cirrus Flex Hoodie for trail running in temps in the single digits and teens where it provided adequate warmth without any overheating, much in part due to the Thermic fleece side panels that allow for good breathability. 


 I have also used it for hiking, snowshoeing, xc skiing and snowshoeing, where it has performed especially well, with the Primaloft Silver Rise insulation providing excellent warmth, contributing greatly to the warmth to weight ratio.  


I really appreciate the fit of this jacket, slim, but not snug, with a tapered shape for a streamlined look, articulated arms and the stretch side panels offer an increased level of mobility.  It has all that I need in a lighter weight, packable mid layer to keep me comfortable in all but the most extreme winter conditions.  It also doubles very well as a day to day jacket for casual use, especially given  the great fit and style.  I would highly recommend the Cirrus Flex Hoodie for anyone looking for a warm, yet breathable, versatile synthetic fill midlayer for all seasons.


Allison:  I will say that I am a bit partial to Rab, having purchased a variety of their products over the past year and was eager for the opportunity to review the Cirrus Flex Hoodie.  Rab is top of the line and, in my opinion, the premier outdoor clothing company by a wide margin.  The quality, fit, style and utility of their products are second to none. You get what you pay for and honestly, the prices are certainly in line with their competitors.  


The Cirrus Flex Hoodie is no exception and provides maximum performance and versatility for a wide range of mountain activities.  I appreciate the warmth that it provides, while also having enough breathability to not overheat when running or hiking up steep climbs, at least when the temperature is in the 30 or below, otherwise it can feel a little toasty when the temps climb into the 40’s.  The outer shell deflects light to moderate snow well.  I love the hood, how well it fits over my head and is secure, despite not having a draw cord.  The soft fleece lined collar is also very cozy and adds to the comfort and overall appeal.  


Rab really gets it right here, with the Cirrus Flex Hoodie being such a versatile staple in my outdoor gear quiver and I plan to use it in all seasons.  Not to mention, the fit and overall style elicits many compliments!


Shopping at our partners is much appreciated and helps support RoadTrailRun

The Rab Cirrus Flex Jacket for men and womenis available now 

RAB 

BACKCOUNTRY  
some colors 40% off

REI 

AMAZON 

The Xenair is coming April 2025
Tester Profiles

Allison Valliere is a 5th generation Coloradan who is passionate about the outdoors and has been hiking, backpacking, skiing, snowshoeing and running in the mountains since she was young.  She has completed all but 5 of the Colorado 14ers (a dozen or so in winter), has many hundreds of year round ascents of 14ers, 13ers and other peaks in Colorado and the West.  Allison has also traveled the world and trekked to over 18,000 feet in the Himalayas, to high altitudes in Ecuador and has worked for the National Park Service mapping plants in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California .  Her almost daily routine involves runs/power hikes in the foothills above Boulder, or 4-5 mile flatter runs at 8-10 minute mile pace if schedule necessitates.  But what really keeps her on her toes is working as a nurse and taking care of her 12 year old twin daughters who are also growing to share her love for the outdoors.

Jeff Valliere loves to run and explore the mountains of Colorado, the steeper and more technical the better. He has summited all of the 14ers in the state, many 13ers and other peaks in Colorado and beyond, plus, he has summited his local Green Mountain over 2,100 times in the past 20 years.   He can be found on mountain trails daily, no matter the weather, season, conditions or whether there is daylight or not.  On the side he loves to ski (all forms) bike and hike, often with his family, as he introduces his twin daughters to the outdoors. Jeff was born and raised in New Hampshire, but has called Colorado home for over 25 years. He is 5’9” and 145 lbs.


Samples were provided at no charge for review purposes. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased via shopping links in this article. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content. The opinions herein are entirely the authors'.
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