Rab is made for mountaineers AND people who look at mountains.
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Rab is the brand you find in the pack of people who take their hills seriously. It started with a bloke making sleeping bags on his kitchen table, and it still makes some of the warmest down kit going. If you camp cold, tramp far, or just want a rain jacket that means it, Rab is worth knowing.
The quick answer Rab is a British outdoor brand founded in Sheffield in 1981, best known for down sleeping bags and down and waterproof jackets. It comes from a climbing and mountaineering background, so the gear is built for real cold and real weather. We stock it deep, so sizes are in now.
Who is Rab?
Rab was started in 1981 by a climber named Rab Carrington, in Sheffield, England. The story goes that he got stuck in Argentina, learned to sew down sleeping bags to fund the trip, and brought the skill home. He began making bags by hand, and the brand grew from there.
That climbing heritage still shows. Rab is a mountaineer's brand first, which is why its down sleeping bags and insulated jackets are so good, and why its waterproofs are built for weather that actually tries to kill you. It's serious gear, but plenty of it works just as well for weekend tramping and cold Kiwi nights.
What Rab is known for
Rab makes a lot, but it's built its name on a handful of things. Here's what each part of the range is for.
| Category | What it's for |
|---|---|
| Down sleeping bags | Warm nights, from weekend tramps to alpine trips |
| Waterproof jackets | Rain shells for everyday walks and serious hills |
| Down & insulated jackets | Packable warmth for cold days and camp |
| Fleece & mid-layers | Everyday warmth you'll wear all the time |
| Gloves & accessories | The small stuff that saves a cold day |
Why we stock Rab
Because when someone asks us for a sleeping bag that will genuinely keep them warm, or a jacket that won't quit on a bad day, Rab is one of the first names we reach for. It's earned its reputation the hard way, on actual mountains.
It's also a brand that does the right things quietly. Here's what Rab stands behind across its range.
What Rab stands behind
Responsible Down Standard — all their down is certified ethical (no live-plucking or force-feeding).
Fair Wear Leader — top-tier rating for fair labour in their factories.
PFC-free — moving their water-repellent finishes off the nasty forever-chemicals.
GORE-TEX & Pertex — proven waterproof and windproof fabrics on their shells.
And we carry it deep. Good down gear is the kind of thing people buy once and keep for years, so it's worth getting the right size the first time. We stock the popular Rab lines across men's and women's and a full size run, in stock now, at Get Out prices.
How to read Rab's specs
Rab lists a few numbers on its gear. Here's what they actually mean, so you can pick with confidence.
| Spec | What it tells you | Rough guide |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrostatic head | How waterproof a jacket is | 10,000mm is solid, 20,000mm is serious |
| Fill power | How warm the down is for its weight | Higher is warmer and lighter (Rab runs 650 to 900) |
| Bag temp rating | How cold a sleeping bag handles (EN/ISO tested) | Buy on the Comfort number, not the Limit |
| Breathability | How well a shell lets sweat out | Higher is better for hard, sweaty efforts |
Where to start with Rab
Not sure where to look first? Start with the bit that matches your problem.
- You sleep cold, or camp in the shoulder seasons: see Rab sleeping bags, the down bags they built their name on.
- It rains where you live (so, New Zealand): browse our rain wear, where Rab's waterproof shells regularly turn up.
- You want warmth without the weight: see Rab jackets, everything from down to fleece in one place.
- You just want the full range: see everything Rab we're holding right now.
Rab gear, in stock now
The short version
- Best known for: down sleeping bags and down jackets
- Also great at: waterproof shells, fleece and gloves
- Stands behind: certified ethical down and fair labour
- Why us: deep stock, real sizes, in now
Rab FAQs
Is Rab a good brand?
Yes. Rab is highly regarded in the outdoor world, especially for down gear. It comes from a climbing and mountaineering background, so its sleeping bags and jackets are built for genuinely cold, harsh conditions. It's a premium brand, but the quality backs the price.
What is Rab known for?
Down. Rab made its name on down sleeping bags and down insulated jackets, and they're still what it does best. It's also well known for tough waterproof shells and warm fleece.
Where is Rab from?
Rab is a British brand, founded in Sheffield, England, in 1981 by the climber Rab Carrington. The brand is named after him.
Is Rab's down ethical?
Yes. All of Rab's down is certified to the Responsible Down Standard (RDS), which means no live-plucking and no force-feeding. Rab is also a Fair Wear Foundation Leader brand, its top rating for fair working conditions in the factories that make its gear.
Are Rab jackets PFC-free?
Rab has moved its water-repellent coatings to PFC-free, fluorocarbon-free chemistry, part of the wider push to get "forever chemicals" out of outdoor gear. Nearly all its coated fabrics are now PFAS-free.
Are Rab sleeping bags warm?
Very. Rab down bags are known for excellent warmth for their weight, which is why they're popular for tramping and alpine trips where every gram counts. Match the bag's comfort rating to how cold you actually sleep, and you'll be sorted.
Is Rab worth the money?
For down gear, generally yes. A good Rab sleeping bag or down jacket is a buy-once-keep-for-years piece. If you only camp in warm weather a couple of times a year, a cheaper synthetic option may suit you better, and we stock those too.
Is Rab waterproof gear any good?
Yes. Rab's shells use fabrics like GORE-TEX and Pertex and are built for real mountain weather. Its everyday rain jackets handle daily use, while the heavier alpine shells step up for serious conditions.
Do you have Rab in my size?
Likely. Rab is one of the brands we stock deep, across men's and women's and a full size run. Check the options on each product, and if your size has sold through, message us and we'll find you the closest fit that's in.