RAB CINDER CYCLING APPAREL – FIELD TEST

 

Last week we revealed that Wheelbase now stock the British high-performance mountain clothing and equipment brand Rab, and more specifically their brand-new range of Rab Cinder off-road cycling apparel! The collection includes a comprehensive range of bike wear aimed at gravel riders, mountain bikers and the rapidly-growing movement towards bike packing and adventure cycling. You can see the full Cinder collection HERE.

The weekend after the Rab Cinder launch just happened to be our BIG Demo Weekend at Wheelbase Lake District; Ed Richardson from Rab kindly joined us to showcase the range to our customers and provide some key Cinder products for them to try out on their demo rides. It was a great opportunity for us to catch up with Ed and discuss the range in more detail; check out our video below where he runs through a couple of key Cinder products…

Watch now…

Shortly after my chat with Ed I headed out onto our local South Lakes trails, kitted out in some new Rab Cinder gear to get a real feel for how it performed out in real-world conditions. With a faint dusting of snow on the ground temperatures were steadily climbing and persistent rain began to fall, making the already sloppy, muddy trails all the more challenging to ride and really putting the waterproof Cinder apparel to the test.

With a limited amount of time available our freelance photographer James Vincent and I jumped on a pair of e-MTB’s and all but sprinted up the Kentmere valley to capture some great shots of the Rab Cinder Kinetic jacket and pants in action. Riding the Trek Fuel Exe lightweight e-mountain bike (a truly sublime bike which we’ll be reviewing very soon) we made short work of the climbs to get up to a decent level of elevation to really put the Rab Cinder gear to the test on more exposed terrain.

British brand Rab have jumped straight into off-road cycling with a comprehensive range of apparel designed to handle typical U.K. conditions.

 

Rab Cinder Kinetic Waterproof Jacket

On my top half I was wearing the Rab Cinder Kinetic Waterproof jacket; the Kinetic product name hinting towards Rab’s laser-focus on developing great riding gear tailored specifically to allow free & unrestricted movement. Made from waterproof Proflex™ softshell fabric this super-comfortable jacket gave me all of the protection of a good waterproof hardshell but with none of that unwanted rustling and boil-in-the-bag sensation! The breathability of this jacket was superb, I wasn’t overheating or getting clammy and as the rain increased and the wind picked up I also stayed warm and protected from the elements; the Cinder Kinetic jacket had me in that perfect sweet spot!

The construction and cut of the Kinetic waterproof jacket is born out of careful consideration to how it needs to perform out in the wild, with every little detail carefully engineered. The silicone grip on the dropped rear hem helped to keep the bottom of the jacket securely located with no potential for it to creep upwards as you rode. I really appreciated the cycling-helmet-compatible hood too which cocooned me from the bleak, exposed hilltops. Riding in the Lake District is never predictable when it comes weather conditions and things can change very quickly up at elevation; when the clouds roll in and the mist or rain descends it’s nice to know I can stay warm and protected while I consider my next move off the hill.

The Napoleon-style chest pocket is great for keeping your smartphone easily accessible for those inevitable mountain-top selfies and the YKK® AquaGuard Zip will keep moisture at bay. It’s worth noting though, that Rab have included some advice on the product labels of the Cinder Kinetic stating that condensation may build up in pockets and to take care when stowing electronics, advising the wearer to place them in an additional waterproof bag. That’s a solid bit of life advice from Rab! And something that I already do as a rule, every time I ride. One final note on the Cinder Kinetic waterproof jacket; it’s constructed from 100% recycled fabric. Nice one Rab!

Rab Cinder Kinetic Waterproof Jacket RRP £220.00

Specification:

• Fit: Slim
• Fabric Main: 20 D Proflex™ 3-layer recycled polyester stretch knit face with PU membrane (118gsm) \DWR \ HH: 10,000 mm \ MVTR: 35000g/m2/24 hrs
• Centre back length:(Size M): 78cm / 30.7inch
• Weight:323g/11.3oz (Size M)

Key Features:

• Tailored bike fit with articulation for optimal performance and comfort
• Cycling helmet compatible hood with stiffened peak for increased weather protection
• Single handed hood cinch with combined crown and face adjustment
• Roll-away hood system offers versatility in varied conditions
• Single front chest napoleon zipped pocket with YKK® AquaGuard Zip
• 1 YKK® AquaGuard® zipped lumbar pocket with bellowed sides to allow for increased storage
• YKK® VISLON® centre front zip with fleece lined chin guard for comfort
• Extended cuffs with stretch binding to optimise hand warmth during exposed rides
• Dropped rear hem with branded silicone grip helps keep jacket in place while riding
• Lightweight single sided rear hem adjustment with anti-snag tether

 

The tall collar on the Kinetic lets you burrow into the jacket when you’re facing directly into those strong hill-top headwinds.

 

The Kinetic Jacket’s soft, stretchy Proflex™ fabric provides all the comfort of a softshell with the waterproof protection of a hardshell.

 

The handy single front chest napoleon zipped pocket features a YKK® AquaGuard Zip to keep external moisture at bay.

 

A dropped rear hem featuring a silicone grip helps keep the Kinetic Jacket securely located, with no unwanted creeping up while riding.

 

A helmet-compatible hood is there when you need it, giving you full protection from the elements.

 

A clever cinch on the back allows you to adjust the fit of the hood with just one hand.

 

The YKK® VISLON® centre front zip features a fleece-lined chin guard for enhanced comfort when you’ve got that tall collar closed.

 

Rab Cinder Kinetic Waterproof Pants

Paired up with the Cinder Kinetic jacket I wore the Cinder Kinetic pants constructed from the same waterproof & breathable Proflex™ fabric. This significantly stretchy softshell fabric also allowed me to move freely on and off the bike, meaning I didn’t feel restricted at all and was able to pedal easily. As my ride progressed and the rain increased it was good to see the water reassuringly beading on the Kinetic pants rather than seeping into the fabric. Likewise as mud and spray flicked up from the sodden ground I remained dry & comfortable and able to just focus on my riding.

The fit of the Kinetic Pants was pretty close to perfect with the size small fitting perfectly at the waist and the leg length being just right. A raised centre back meant that there was no unwanted gaps when I was riding and the shock cord waist meant I could adjust fit a little too. Another nice detail was the zipped ankle gusset and some reinforcement on the drive-side hem which helped prevent snagging with my bike’s drivetrain. With durability in mind there’s a reinforced seat to the pants as well, meaning that abrasive mud and grit thrown up from the rear wheel will not immediately cause any wear issues.

With temperatures hovering around 4-5° I was never really in any danger of overheating, however when working hard riding uphill during the warmer months of the year I can see that the Kinetic Pant’s low profile thigh vents would be a welcome feature. In a stroke of product design and garment construction genius Rab have perfectly lined up their Rab Cinder Cargo Short (sold separately) pockets with the Kinetic Pant thigh vents allowing you to access the pockets through the pant if you choose to wear them underneath.

Rab Cinder Kinetic Waterproof Pants RRP £190.00

Specification:

• Fit: Slim
• Fabric Main: 20D Proflex™ 3-layer recycled polyester stretch knit face with PU membrane (118gsm) \DWR \ HH: 10,000 mm \ MVTR: 35000g/m2/24 hrs
• Fabric Secondary: 20D Proflex™ Stretch Woven Nylon 3-layer Waterproof Technology with fluorocarbon-free DWR (149gsm) HH: 20,000mm and MVTR: 25,000g/m²/24 hrs
• Weight: 290g/10.2oz (Size M)

Key Features:

• Tailored bike fit with articulation for optimal performance and comfort
• High wear reinforcement on centre seat, rear thighs and drive side hem
• Engineered offset inseam avoiding saddle wear
• Raised and shaped centre back for enhanced on bike positioning with silicone grip print on rear
• Integrated shock cord waist adjustment with low profile locking slider
• Double snap waist closure and YKK® zip fly
• Zipped ankle gusset creates a slim leg profile for unhindered riding
• 2 YKK® concealed low profile thigh venting zips
• 2 YKK® AquaGuard® zipped external weather resistant hand pockets

 

Two YKK® AquaGuard® zipped external weather resistant pockets are neatly integrated into the Kinetic Trousers and don’t interfere with pedalling.

 

The YKK® concealed low profile thigh venting zips located on the upper thigh provide extra ventilation when things warm up.

 

A quick adjustment to the thigh venting zips will prevent any potential for overheating mid-ride.

 

Rab Cinder Phantom Waterproof Jacket

I also carried another Rab Cinder product with me on my ride out into the South Lakes trails; the Cinder Phantom waterproof jacket. This clever packable jacket is constructed from 7D Pertex® Shield fabric and includes a roll-away hood for when things turn really grim. As you can see from the photos, the Phantom is super-compact when packed up and stowed on the bike; it’s there when you need it and doesn’t get in the way of your riding if you don’t.

Again, during our regular rides here in the Lake District we’re all too often faced with unpredictable weather and intense rain showers with little or no warning. The Cinder Phantom jacket will really come into it’s own during spring and summer in the Lakes and on those occasions that we climb high enough to find ourselves above the clouds. When the mists roll in I’ll definitely be reaching for the Downpour waterproof jacket, until then I’ll forget it’s there, which is a reflection on just how compact and non-evasive it is on the bike.

Rab Cinder Phantom Waterproof Jacket RRP £180.00

Specification:

• Fit: Slim
• Fabric Main: 7D Pertex® Shield 2.5L fabric with stretch (40gsm) HH: 20,000mm/MVTR: 20,000 g/m2/24hrs
• Centre back length: (Size M): 77cm / 30.3inch
• Weight: 94g/3.3oz (Size M) – 99g/3.4oz with stuff sack

Key Features:

• Reduced volume, under helmet hood with ultralight stiffened peak and micro elasticated face closure
• Roll away hood system offers versatility in varied conditions
• Tailored bike fit with articulation for optimal performance and comfort
• Calendered YKK® ergonomically curved centre front zip for on bike comfort
• Extended cuffs with stretch binding to optimise hand warmth during exposed rides
• Dropped rear hem with branded silicone grip helps keep jacket in place while riding
• Part elasticated hem for improved fit
• Pre-tensioned stuff sack for quick and easy storage
• Stuff sack has silicone print and shock cord attachment system for secure storage on your bike frame

 

I really relished the chance to get kitted-up in the new Rab Cinder cycling gear and head out for a proper ride to test it out. On a fairly standard March afternoon in the Lake District as the rain continued to fall and the winds increased the higher up we got, the Kinetic Jacket and Pants were more than up to the challenge of keeping me warm and dry without causing me to overheat. The tailored fit of both garments was spot on, allowing me to move freely around the bike and pedal without feeling any restriction. The styling’s great too, with muted tones and understated logos Rab have jumped into off-road cycling with a fantastic collection of apparel.

The Rab Cinder off-road cycling collection is brilliantly functional and super-stylish thanks to those muted tones and that bike-specific tailored fit.

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

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