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Rab Baltoro Guide Jacket Review
April 29, 2013The Good
- Excellent balance of weather-resistance and breathability
- Zips, other adjustments are easy to use with gloves on
- Combination of high-loft and mid-weight fleece backing regulates temperature during start/stop activity
The Bad
- One or two nit-picks - it was hard to find things to dislike about this jacket
The Baltoro Guide performs like a winter-weather fortress while wearing like a furry second skin—a nearly perfect jacket for stop-and-go activity in temps below 20F.
Weather Resistance
With a weather-blocking shell outside and high-lofting fleece inside, the Baltoro Guide was ample armor against wind and snow whilst winter camping in the Sierra. And while its DWR-treated fabric can shrug off light rain, it is not waterproof.
Breathability
The slight air-permeability of Polartec’s Powershield fabric kept me comfortable even while fully zipped and charging hard in cold conditions, although humidity build-up was noticeable while working in more moderate temps.
Mobility
Long arms, smart patterning and stretchy textiles join forces to make the Baltoro Guide suitable for all sorts of deep-freeze gymnastics—this thing can move!
Comfort
The shift it makes between on-the-go breathability and at-a-stand-still insulation is the Baltoro Guide’s single most comfort-inducing quality. It goes on comfy, and stays comfy.
Attention to Detail
Although they would have been small luxuries on a jacket built for thrashing about in cold weather, some users wished for more finely finished seams and lower-profile cuffs.
Value
Though it is somewhat pricey, the Baltoro Guide delivers huge performance that is well worth the cost.