The Rab Valiance Jacket – your reliable companion for the winter months
When it comes to choosing friends, we consider many important attributes. We want our friends to be reliable, longstanding, tough - but soft on the inside, warm and protective, and supportive through all weathers. The same can be said of choosing a winter coat – you knew this was going somewhere didn’t you?For this blog, we’re showcasing the BCH Camping favourite, Rab Valiance Down Jacket. We explain why you can’t go wrong in choosing this jacket to be your best friend in the coming winter months.
The Rab Valiance colours, sizes and styling
Let’s start with the basics. The Rab Valiance down jacket is available in a range of colours:
Women Fig
Men Black/Zinc
Steek Dijon
Ink
The women’s jacket is a slim fit, available in sizes 10 to 16, while the men’s jackets are a regular fit and available in sizes S, M, L and XL (all subject to availability).
Described as the “ultimate warm and waterproof down jacket”, the Rab Valiance is stylish and practical. Style features include:
- two zipped hand warmer pockets at the front
- an insulated helmet-compatible hood with adjustable wired peak
- AquaGuard zips throughout
- Velcro adjustable cuffs and an adjustable hem
Ethically sourced down
There is an increasing focus on sustainability and ethically sourced products as an influence in buying choices. The Rab Valiance jacket is filled with the highest quality 800FP (fill power), ethically soured down, making it perfect for cold and changeable weather.Rab use down from European suppliers that adhere to the Responsible Down Standard.
What is ethically sourced down? It safeguards the welfare of geese and ducks that provide down and feathers by ensuring that there has been no removal of down from live birds, and the birds haven’t been force-fed.
The Rab Valiance technical specification
Waterproof with the toasty warm benefit of a down jacket
The most exceptional and unique feature of the Rab Valiance is that it is a fully waterproof down jacket. Whereas many down jackets are not waterproof and become heavy when wet, the Rab Valiance jacket ticks both boxes.Here’s the technical bit that explains this: the durable, waterproof Pertex Shield outer, and bonded box wall technology, provide both warmth and outstanding protection from the elements. Sounds good doesn’t it? But what does it mean?
Pertex is a registered fabric designed to provide lightweight protection and comfort in a range of conditions and activities. Pertex Shield fabrics allow you to move fast but stay comfortable. The lightweight fabric is combined with waterproof, windproof and breathable membranes. The durable water-repellent finish sheds rain and snow, which helps to maintain breathability.
A Box-wall down jacket has 'Box-wall' constructed baffles. Baffles are the pockets of space created between two layers of fabric that hold the goose or duck down in place keeping you warm. Box-wall construction allows the down to loft more, resulting in fewer cold spots in the jacket. The horizontal compartments hold the down in place around the body, maximising the performance of the jacket.
So, now you know!
Other key information
Weight Men’s 750g/26.4ozWomen’s 615g/21.7oz
Hood Pyrotec™ synthetic insulation filled hood
Oversize drawcord adjustment at hem and rear hood
YKK® VISLON® front zip with internal zip baffle
2 YKK® AquaGuard® zipped hand warmer pockets big enough for the storage of essentials, but still easily accessible, even when wearing heavy duty gloves
1 YKK® zipped internal security pocket
The jacket comes with a stuff sack for easy compression into a rucksack.
In review
According to Outdoors Magic, “Rab are at the forefront of practical, technically advanced outdoors gear, and in the Valiance Jacket they’ve released one of the most impressive and effective heavy-duty winter options on the market right now.It’s a jacket that’s not completely unlike a down sleeping bag with arms on each side. It’s that snug. And it’s also completely waterproof as well – something you don’t see very often with down jackets.
All-in-all this is exactly the kind of product that you’d expect from Rab – a company whose heritage goes back decades and whose principles come from a legacy of outdoor experience. It’s this experience in the outdoors that lead to Rab’s focus on putting practicality first and form second, but they’ve hit both nails on the head with this product. This is a jacket you can guarantee can keep up with whatever you put it through.”
Rab Valiance jackets available from BCH Camping
The Rab Valiance jacket can be found in the Men’s and Ladies’ Down Jackets department of the BCH Camping online store, or you can pop into our Trowbridge store where our staff will be pleased to help you.Get in touch
BCH Camping supply outdoor clothing, footwear, backpacking essentials and camping equipment. If you would like any further information or advice, please contact us at websales@bchcamping.co.uk or by calling 01225 764977.
Remember, the adventure starts at BCH Camping!
