Our Rab Cubit Stretch Down Hoody Review details a zipped jacket suitable for everyday use and yet with performance details suitable for more technical adventures. We hope you find it useful.
Brand Information
There can be few brands that know down like Rab. Their extensive history stretches from company founder Rab Carrington sewing sleeping bags in his Sheffield attic to their current worldwide reach. Rab have certainly come on an exciting journey since Rab started stitching in 1981.
Rab’s sleeping bags were cutting edge products all those decades ago and their products have led the industry ever since. Rab’s early innovations were undoubtedly informed by his many years as a leading mountaineer. That hasn’t changed. Rab’s product designs still draw on both the mountain experiences of their staff and their extensive athlete and ambassador family.
Rab are also fully committed to protecting the natural environment and fighting the climate emergency. Indeed, they are leading the industry with their efforts and products like the Cubit Stretch hoody are examples of that commitment. Please do take the time to read about Rab’s sustainability journey on their website here.
Features
Fabrics
Rab describe the Cubit Stretch Down Hoody as a ‘functional, everyday down jacket’. The outer fabric is Pertex Quantum 3DWeave. Pertex 3DWeave Technology allows baffles to be woven from a single fabric. This clever innovation eliminates the need for stitching.
This, says Pertex, maximises the performance of the down lofting and improves down retention. It also reduces the weight of the fabric and increases wind resistance. Crucially, and important given that the jacket is called the Cubit Stretch, the 3DWeave allows the fabric to stretch as you move. The outer fabric is treated with a fluorocarbon free DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating.
Insulation
The Cubit Stretch Down Hoody is filled with 700 fill power of P.U.R.E recycled down with Nikwax hydrophobic finish. P.U.R.E. is the first Global Recycled Standard certified recycled down available and the 700 fill power in the Cubit is the highest standard available. In the case of the size medium 173 grams of P.U.R.E down is added.
Features
The jacket has a chunky YKK VISLON front zip with a fleece lined chin guard. There are two spacious YKK zipped hand pockets and a drawcord adjustable hem. The down filled hood features a stretch binding to ensure it snuggly fits around the face.
The Rab Cubit Stretch Down Hoody Review jacket came in Nightfall blue and 3 other colours are available (Chlorite Green, Ebony and Oxblood Red). The Cubit stretch retails for £240. A women’s version is also available.
In Use
Appearance
Firstly, the Cubit Stretch is a very good looking jacket. The Nightfall blue of the supplied jacket is a really nice colour and the pattern created by the 3DWeave construction also looks really good. The face fabric is also really noticeable due to it’s soft feel. As a jacket for the everyday use described by Rab the Cubit really looks the part.
Trying the jacket on continues this theme. The Cubit is designed to be snug fitting and yet, because of it’s stretch capability, it never feels at all restrictive. Infact, the stretchiness feels really liberating. Down jackets can often be quite loose and baggy. In this case the Cubit can sit quite close. The close fit does mean you aren’t likely to be able to be able to wear lots of layers underneath, but that’s not really the idea in this case anyway.
Insulation
At 700 fill power and with 173 grams of down offers a mid range level of insulation. The Cubit is warmer than an ultralight type jacket but obviously won’t match up to a more extreme conditions focussed jacket. I would say this offers a great insulation level for general UK autumn to winter activities.
The other feature that makes the Cubit well specced for the more fickle UK weather is the use of a Nikwax Hydrophobic treatment. This offers a number of benefits. Firstly, hydrophobic down resists wetting. This helps maintain both the insulation properties and breathability. The other key feature of Nikwax hydrophobic down treatment is that it is both water based and free from PFCs and other environmentally damaging chemicals.
Features
All the other key features on the Cubit Stretch work as you would expect. The main zip is a reassuring chunky YKK VISLON which zips up high at the neck and has a substantial baffle to maximise insulation. It is also nice to have the fleece lined chin guard for comfort. It is only a one way zip which means it is harder to undo the bottom if using with a harness and belay plate. That said, with its snugger fit, I’ve found the jacket works well tucked inside a climbing harness.
The hand warmer pockets are well positioned and perfect for warming chilly hands on a cold day. There are no interior pockets and yet the inner of the hand warmer pockets forms additional pockets. These are deep and so can be used for items like gloves. I also like the simplicity of the elasticated wrist cuffs. The bottom hem is well shaped for a snug and yet comfortable fit. A drawcord allows it to be cinched tight when needed.
Hood Design
The Cubit hood is really well designed. It has an elasticated rim and offers a snug and cosy fit. However, the stretchiness of the 3DWeave construction also allows it to expand. You can comfortably fit a climbing helmet under it. It also moves with the head for a full range of vision. It is great and a real defining feature of the Cubit.
The use of 700 fill power P.U.R.E down is another stand out feature. With the availability of recycled down I hope that more and more manufacturers will start to make use of this resource. Well done to Rab for broadening the industry use of such materials and for setting the standard for other companies.
Summary
For my Rab Cubit Stretch Down Hoody Review I have used the jacket for a range of activities over the early part of the autumn and love this product. It is stylish enough for everyday about town wear and yet has the performance features for more technical use. I have used it regularly for day to day activities and it has been my go to for early autumn cragging.
I also really appreciate its environmental credentials and applaud Rab for bringing this type of product to market. Items like this show us what is possible and surely mark the way we can hope the industry will continue to head in the future.
Full details on the Rab Cubit Stretch Hoody are available on the Rab website here. Please also check out our reviews of other Rab products including the Mythic 600 Sleeping Bag here and the Xenon X Jacket here.