High on the ridge, the wind was howling and cumulonimbus clouds were starting to form. It was the perfect cue to throw on a jacket. When a gust of wind threatened to blow me away deep in the Kofa Wilderness of Arizona, I donned my Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 Jacket and was extremely careful not to trip over the bouncing cholla cacti that blanketed the area. In the end, I lost that battle again and again.
On one of these occasions, my super-stretchy Kinetic Alpine 2.0 took a beating. The Proflex woven fabric was tough enough to keep me from getting stung. When I got back to my car, I was amazed to see that I had no idea where 24 cholla spines had been lodged in my jacket. Not to mention, the super breathability meant I barely broke a sweat while hiking uphill.
There are many different types of rain jackets, some good for this and some for that, but when you need mobility above all else (like my scrambling missions), Rab’s softshell-like Kinetic Alpine 2.0 is a great choice. After a month of testing during a stormy spring in the American Southwest, the Kinetic Alpine 2.0 proved to be a trusty companion.
In short, the Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 is a premier rain jacket in terms of comfort and performance. It’s a waterproof layer with a stretchy softshell feel and breathability, making it ideal for high output activities like mountaineering, summiting, scrambling and climbing where cold winds and inclement weather can be a threat.
To see how the Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 Jacket stacks up against the most protective jackets on the market, check out GearJunkie’s Best Rain Jackets buying guide.
Waterproof Membrane Proprietary Proflex 3L Waterproof Rating 10,000 mm/24hr Breathability 35,000 g/m² Pit Zips None Fit Regular Weight 14.9 oz Incredibly stretchy Comfortable fit Durable face material Made with mountaineers and climbers in mind No pit zips Low waterproof rating Heavy
Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 Jacket: Review
The high altitude of Colorado proved to be the perfect place to test this rain jacket. (Photo/Ian Atkinson)
First impression
When I first took the Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 out of the box, I was surprised at how soft the fabric was. I wondered if it was really a rain jacket, but then I realized that I might actually enjoy wearing this. Typically, I’m a fan of super light thru-hiker style waterproof layers. They’re light and keep you dry, but they can make you feel like you’re wearing a garbage bag.
With above-average breathability (and flexibility that stretches for days), the Kinetic Alpine is a layer you can wear for hours on end without needing to take it off just because the storm has passed.
This is an important consideration if you’re in the middle of climbing a multi-pitch route or are working on a time-sensitive climbing objective, or it’s simply a consideration for people like me who prefer to stay comfortable on the trail.
On-the-ground efforts: Enlarging lungs
The Rab also excels in terms of breathability with its proprietary Proflex 3-layer fabric, hitting an impressive 35,000 g/m2 (most jackets only hit 15K-20K). On multiple outings around Sedona, I spent a fair amount of time climbing to my scrambling destinations and only worked up a slight sweat, which is quite different from what you’d normally expect from a GORE-TEX hardshell like the Norrøna Falketind Paclite, which boasts a sultry 15,000 g/m2 breathability rating.
It’s always disappointing when a waterproof shell doesn’t have pit zips, and that’s exactly what the Kinetic Alpine 2.0 is missing. But thanks to the breathability of the Proflex fabric, this concern is eliminated. The two-way front zipper doubles as a front vent, allowing you to open the front of the jacket to let out moisture.
The combination of a polyester knit face fabric and polyurethane membrane gives the Kinetic Alpine Jacket the ability to stretch and contract like a softshell. (Photo/Ian Atkinson)
Stretchy like a softshell
The Kinetic Alpine 2.0 doesn’t lack in comfort, with fabric that offers great mobility, great stretch, and a softshell-like feel and performance. I often hesitate to take out my rain jacket because they feel too rough and sticky to move around in, but the Kinetic Alpine 2.0 doesn’t give me any flak in this regard.
This extra stretch and mobility was a real win when hitting my latest scrambling goal. The Kinetic’s streamlined athletic fit meant I didn’t struggle to reach key holds as much as I would with a traditional looser rain jacket, and the Proflex fabric’s stretchy polyurethane membrane is a big plus on adventures that involve lots of arm movement at my sides and overhead.
(Sufficient) waterproof
Ideal conditions for Kinetic Alpine. (Photo/Ian Atkinson)
The Kinetic Alpine 2.0 is breathable and comfortable, but you have to make trade-offs somewhere: the waterproof rating of the jacket is not spectacular. Unfortunately, 10,000mm/24hr is towards the lower end of the waterproof range, so we wouldn’t recommend it if you’re expecting hours of heavy rain or snow.
The Kinetic Alpine 2.0 also performs well in alpine conditions where light snowfall or afternoon monsoon rains may occur, making it ideal for summer purposes in less humid climates like Colorado, or windier purposes where you need a bit more protection from the bitter cold than a traditional windproof jacket can provide.
Weight, packability, durability
The Kinetic Alpine 2.0’s breathability, comfort, and durability come at the cost of bulk and weight. At 14.9 ounces in a men’s large, the Kinetic Alpine 2.0 is one of the heavier rain jackets available on the market, so it may not be the best choice for thru-hikers looking for an ultralight jacket, like the Zpacks Vertice or Montbell Versalite jackets, which are sub-8 ounces.
Still, I was able to fit the Kinetic into a zippered pouch on the back of my 8L running vest, and turning the Kinetic Alpine 2.0 into a 2-in-1 wind and rain garment would certainly reduce weight if I kept the jacket on altogether.
As for durability, I still can’t figure out where that choker needle got stuck in the fabric, but I have no doubt the Kinetic will last for years in good condition. A stretchy fabric like this holds up very well to wear and abuse, and is certainly better at resisting holes than ultra-thin packable rain jackets.
Still, it’s important to remember that stretch rain jackets will require more frequent reapplication of the DWR finish: the mechanical movement of the face fabric will wear this coating down more quickly, so reapplying it regularly will ensure the jacket remains stable even when beaded.
Fine details: zipper, pockets, hood
(Photo/Ian Atkinson) (Photo/Ian Atkinson)
The YKK Aquaguard zippers on the Kinetic Alpine 2.0 are of the highest quality, and the central front zipper is a two-way, reverse zipper, which is climbing harness compatible and also allows for mechanical ventilation if required.
The two exterior pockets are great for quick and easy storage of snacks or to keep your hands warm, and the interior zippered pocket on the left chest has enough space for a larger phone, keys, or a ski pass for those nice days at the resort. I really liked the size of these pockets, they’re not too big or too small.
Another great experience was the adjustable hood, which incorporates a stiff, yet flexible polymer brim that pairs well with both the bulk of a climbing helmet and the minimalism of a baseball cap without dropping into your field of vision.
Additionally, I was pleased to find that the chin guard is just the right height to provide wind protection for my neck and lower face without condensation building up or restricting breathing.
A comfortable cockpit for piloting this alpine-prepared shell. (Photo/Ian Atkinson)
There is still room for improvement
No rain jacket is perfect, and the Kinetic Alpine 2.0 is no exception. As a shell that places a heavy emphasis on stretch and breathability, it achieves what it sets out to do, but those looking for something stretchy, rain-resistant and mobile will want more.
The two tweaks I would make to the Kinetic Alpine 2.0 would be to add pit zips (allowing for even more breathability) and slightly increase the waterproofing of the Proflex fabric. By adding mechanical ventilation, Rab is able to increase the water resistance of the fabric into the 15,000mm/24hr range while still maintaining an excellent 35,000g/m2 breathability rating.
However, this can increase the price to over $350 and make the jacket heavier. Traditionally, balancing the opposing elements of breathability and waterproofness has always been a challenge in the rain jacket arena.
Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 Jacket: Summary
No shell is perfect for all applications, but for specialized protection for fast movement and mobility, the Kinetic Alpine 2.0 excels. (Photo/Ian Atkinson)
From rock climbing in Arizona to hiking the snowy mountains in Colorado’s Four Corners region, the Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 did an excellent job keeping me dry, reasonably warm, and comfortable.
Its incredible stretch came in handy for exposed movement on a popular summit climb when the rain started to fall, and its durability shone when we shoved in and out of Sedona’s chimneys, where abrasive rocks would make most fabrics flinch.
Overall weather protection is the trade-off. This is not a storm shelter, but it’s by no means inferior. Freezing rain, passing showers, or warm but damp conditions? The Kinetic Alpine has you covered and won’t let you down in terms of mobility.
Overall, the Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 is an excellent choice for hikers, mountaineers, and climbers looking for a 2-in-1 waterproof layer that feels and functions like a softshell. At $310 and weighing almost a pound, it’s not the most affordable or lightest option on the market, but if you’re looking for a combination of great comfort, stretch, and durability, this jacket will satisfy you and you’ll be raving about it for years to come.
