What is it?
Thef Valiance Jacket from Rab is basically a 800FP narrow box wall down jacket that has been fitted with a fully waterproof and breathable shell. This is the perfect winter jacket for those days when you wouldn't dream of taking out your precious down jacket for fear of it getting soaked; effectively rendering it useless. It is a reliable and versatile high performance winter jacket that will cope with the worst that mother nature can throw at it.
What is it made of?
Insulation: Rab have filled the Valiance with 170g of 800FP superior European Hydrophobic Goose Down. This high quality and sustainable insulation has a very impressive 800 fill power and is controlled throughout the garment with a bonded narrow box-wall construction. The innovative bonded baffles create a much smoother outer that sheds rain better than traditonally stitched baffles; basically the water cannot soak into the stitching as there isn't any! Bonding the baffles also reduces weight and improves the appearance of the jacket by creating a flatter finish.
Rab use Hydrophobic down in all their down jackets; basically each and every cluster of down is treated with Nikwax products to make them perform better in damp conditions. Although Hydrophobic down is not waterproof, it dries much faster, absorbs less water and retains loft far better than untreated down. In the case of the Valiance Jacket, the use of Hydrophobic down is a bit "belt and braces" as it has a completely waterproof shell, but it does help to stop the down from clumping if you are sweating hard inside the jacket. To further enhance the wet weather performance of this brilliant Jacket Rab have used a synthetic insulation in the hood and cuffs; these are the areas that are prone to wetting out from wind blown rain and snow or from wet hair and sweat. The synthetic filling will continue to insulate even when soaked and resists repeated compression.
Membrane: The reliable Pertex Shield outer fabric is 100% waterproof, all seams are taped, and it is highly breathable, so you can use this super warm jacket for mountain activities in extreme conditions or just as an everyday warm winter coat.
What are the features?
As well as high performance construction techniques, quality fabrics and fillings you also get a full feature set including a fixed helmet compatible hood with wired peak, YKK VISLON front zip with insulated baffle, YKK Aquaguard zipped hand pockets and a YKK zipped internal security pocket. To seal out the elements the wrists have hook and loop closures and there is a hem drawcord.
How does it fit?
As an insulating layer, it is designed to be a close, snug fit, yet features enough room to layer up underneath on the particularly chilly days. The rear of the jacket features a slightly dropped hem and the jacket has a flattering, tapered waist. The Valiance uses Rab's 'Regular Fit' so this means you'll have a bit of wiggle room, so it'll easily fit an extra layer or two on underneith.
Where does it fit in the layering system?
The Valiance is primarily designed as an outer shell, which means it works well to protect you from strong winds on cold days, right up to torrential downpours, but also has all of the 'pros' you get from chunky down jackets - this means it's not only the ideal piece for frosty, bitter, clear mornings, but it's also a great piece on rainy days - not something we usually say for down jackets!
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Pertex Shield fully taped waterproof outer
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Innovative bonded narrow box-wall construction
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100% nylon lining
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800FP R.D.S Certified European Goose Down
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Rab flurocarbon free Hydrophobic down
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Synthetic insulated hood, helmet compatible with wired peak
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YKK VISLON front zip with internal baffle
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2 YKK Aquaguard zipped hand warmer pockets
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1 YKK zipped internal security pocket
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Synthetic insulated slimline cuffs with hook and loop adjustable closure
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Oversize drawcord at hem and rear of hood
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Stuffsack
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Regular fit
How to wash your down products
Having spent years talking to people about down products, whether that’s a jacket, sleeping bag or even a pair of slippers, very few have had the confidence to go ahead and wash the product on their own, especially when they have just spent an arm and a leg on it. This small guide is here to explain that it’s not as daunting and utterly terrifying as it first appears.
Step one: Before you even get near that washing machine, wipe off any excess mud or dirt that may be lingering on the surface of the jacket, as this will clog up the washing machine, eventually rendering it useless.
We recommend the use of Nikwax Down Wash Direct for down products as it’s one hundred percent environmentally friendly and will wash and re-proof the garment without the use of bleach or any other nasty chemicals. What household washing agents can (and often do) is remove the water repellent coating on the fabric of the jacket, whilst also damaging the delicate array of feathers inside.
Step two: We’ll assume in this instance that you’ve been washing other products prior to your down jacket and have used a bleach based detergent. Therefore it’s a good idea to run the washing machine for half an hour or so without anything inside to rinse it clean before adding the Nikwax or putting the jacket in. Also, don’t forget to remove the detergent drawer to give it a wash inside, outside and behind, as detergent can clog up and still enter the washing machine if not cleaned out thoroughly. This ensures that any remnants of detergent are removed and that the Nikwax products will work effectively.
Step three: Set the washing machine to a cold wash (check the garments care label, most tend to be around 30°C) and as delicate as possible. Most washing machines have a “wool” cycle which is ideal.
Step four: If using Nikwax Down Wash Direct, place 100ml in either the tray or directly into the washing machine inside a small pot/ball. If you choose to use another washing product, place the appropriate amount in the machine in the same way.
Step five: Set the washing machine to run on a slow cycle, allowing plenty of time for the jacket to soak up the cleaning/re-proofing product. Most washing machines will have a pre-set time for different washing cycles.
When the cycle has finished be prepared for a shock, your precious bit of kit will come out looking like a soggy ball of material. But don’t worry, you haven’t ruined it, it’s just that all that fluffy down insulation has become water logged and has clumped together. The trick is to now get all that down nice and dry to reinstate its superb insulating properties. Simply hanging it up in a warm place will not work that well. It will take days to properly dry and you will have to constantly break up the clumps to get it thoroughly dry. The best way is to use a tumble dryer; either a domestic one for smaller items or a commercial drier for sleeping bags.
Step six: Pop the garment into the dryer and make sure to select a low heat; a high heat runs the risk of melting seams and fabrics within the garment. It sounds weird, but shove a few tennis balls into the drier with the garment; the tennis balls will bounce around and help to break up the clumps of down. Every 20 minutes, pull the jacket out of the dryer and lie the jacket down on a table. Run your hands over the jacket until you find a 'clump' or ball of down; tease apart this down clump and spread it evenly into the baffle. Once you're confident you've pulled apart every clump to the best of your ability, stick it back in for another 20 minutes. Keep repeating this until there are no more clumps left.
Step seven: When the cycle has finished and you are sure that you have got the garment as dry as possible, hang it up in a warm dry place, an airing cupboard is ideal, for 24 hours. This drives out the last of any dampness and allows the down to loft fully. Take it out and give it a good shake and, hey presto, it’ll be as good as new.