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What is the Generator Jacket?
Designed for winter belays in the harshest conditions, the Generator Jacket is the perfect layer for stop-start activities, like climbing, multi pitch scrambling and winter ascents. It is Rabs warmest, lightest and most packable belay jacket. If you’re a regular on the winter climbing scene then you will be well versed with Belay jackets, but just incase you’re unsure of the term, a ‘Belay jacket’ has been designed to be thrown on over the top of all of your layers (including your shell jacket) when you stop for any reason so you can retain all that lovely heat you have generated while moving. It is highly water-resistant, warm, and the materials used to make this jacket means it's a more sustainable choice than others out there.
What is it made of?
Insulation: The Generator Jacket is insulated with PrimaLoft Gold insulation with Cross Core technology. That's a lot of info, so let's break it down into chunks. PrimaLoft Gold is one of the finest synthetic insulations available — it's warm, resists compression, is virtually unaffected by moisture and is super easy to care for. Rab use 133g in the body and sleeves and 80g in the hood meaning you've got warmth where you need it without the bulk.
Now, onto the 'Cross Core' part (get ready for some nerdiness). Cross Core, in simple terms, mixes the already proven and incredibly high performing PrimaLoft synthetic insulation with Aerogel. Originally developed and used by NASA in their aeronautical applications, Aerogel is made from 95% air and is the lightest solid material known to man. This incredible material boosts the warmth of the jacket substantially without adding more than a few grams of weight. All of this insulation is kept in place via a micro-baffle construction, minimising the weight and pack size whilst keeping warmth high.
Fabric: The Generator uses a combination of two different 20D Pertex Quantum Pro fabrics. The front of the Jacket uses Pertex Quantum Pro Diamond Fuse fabric which is made from diamond shaped filaments that lock seamlessly together creating a snag resistant flat surface. When you’re out on gnarly terrains, the front of the jacket will usually take the brunt of the scuffs and abrasion, which is why Diamond Fuse has been used in the front. The rear of the jacket also uses a 20D Pertex Quantum Pro fabric, but this one is fulle recycled – so you can rest assured that you’re getting a phenomenal jacket with exceptional environmental credentials.
The inside of the jacket is lined with an exceptionally soft 15D Atoms fabric. It feels excellent next to skin but is also incredibly breathable, helping sweat and moisture vapour to escape.
What are the features?
Starting at the top the Generator features a helmet compatible hood with stiffened peak and 2-way adjustment so you can synch it down and seal out the cold drafts. The 2-way YKK Vislon front zip can be unzipped from the bottom so you have easy access to your harness if you’re out winter climbing. It also features an insulated internal zip baffle which eliminates the cold spot usually caused by the front zip. At the top of the zip you get a soft chin guard to protect your chin from the cold metal zip, and an oversize zip pull so the jacket is easy to zip up/unzip even when you have chunky winter gloves on.
Storage wise you have a YKK Vislon zipped chest pocket (also with an oversized zip puller) where you can stash your compass, two large YKK zipped hand warmer pockets and two massive internal open stuff pockets where you can stash some water, your gloves, phone, maps – you name it! The oversize cuffs allow the jacket to be used with chunky winter gloves, but using the velcro adjusters, they can be synched in when you’re not using gloves. To further seal out the cold you get an adjustable hem.
How does it fit?
As a belay jacket the generator is sized large and roomy. It fit’s into Rab’s ‘Regular Fit’ so you can fit additional layers on underneath it in cold conditions; ideal if you'd like to pop a fleece underneath for a bit more cosiness. The sleeves are fully articulated to allow for full range of movement when you’re out climbing and gulley bashing.
Where does it fit in the layering system?
The Generator Jacket is designed as a belay jacket, primarily used by climbers to throw over all their layers while on a belay stance on multi-pitched climbs. Its purpose is to seal in the heat while you wait for your partner to finish their pitch. This term has been adopted by the entire outdoor industry. However, a better way of explaining it is to call it a "stop/go jacket", a jacket you put on as soon as you stop and then put away as soon as you start moving and generating more again. So it's perfect for winter use by all outdoor enthusiasts.
- Warm
- Packable
- Weather resistant
- Helmet compatible hood with stiffened peak and 2-way adjustment
- 2-way YKK Vislon front zip with insulated internal zip baffle, chin guard and oversize zip pull
- 1 YKK Vislon zipped chest pocket with oversize puller
- 2 large YKK zipped hand warmer pockets
- 2 internal open stuff pockets
- Oversize cuffs with hook-and-loop adjustment for use with large gloves
- Articulated sleeves for mobility
- Adjustable hem