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Hey there and welcome to webtalks.co.uk. We're taking a look today at the Rab Photon Belay
Jacket. Now, a Belay Jacket is a jacket that a climber would normally put on to stay warm
while their mates are climbing above them. And the reason why climbers love them so much
is because of the insulation that's inside.
In this particular jacket it's PrimaLoft ECO. It's a synthetic insulation and the biggest
benefit it has, is that unlike down or feathers, if it gets wet it still keeps you warm. In
fact it delivers 70% of it's insulation even if it's soaked through. As a result, I think
this jacket shouldn't just be kept for climbers.
I think it's fantastic for you winter mountaineers, or hill walkers, or even anybody who just
needs a good wool coat, kicking about town or out watching a rugby match. Now in terms
of the insides as well with this PrimaLoft ECO, as the name suggests it's environmentally
friendly. Although it's a man-made synthetic fiber, it's actually totally recycled.
So, enough about the inside. On the outside, we have gone for Pertex Endurance. It's a
super robust, lightweight fabric. And there's actually two types on this jacket. The main
part of the body that you see here, that's using 30 denier, which is pretty robust. It's
still got a ripstop element built into it, but on high abrasion areas like your shoulders
and down to the waist, where you might have a rucksack strap going around, they've used
a 50 denier fabric to make sure it's completely bombproof.
Okay, enough about the materials. Let's take a look at some of the features and we'll start
off with the hood. Now with the hood, as this a climbing jacket, you've got a really, really
big hood which is climbing helmet compatible. So, we've got a large, elasticated volume
adjuster at the back. As we swing round to the front, you've got a stiffened wire peak
and you've also got elasticated draw cords that pull it in snug around your face.
If we go down to the arms next you'll see that you've got rubberized, Velcro cuffed
hands to retain that heat. And as we come to the main body of the jacket now, you'll
see that you've got a water resistant zipper that goes down the front. Behind there, is
a little baffle that ensures there's no cold spot and for pockets.
You're for choice. You've got two pockets at the top, with which to store your medals
or yours hands. And as we go further down the jacket. You've got two more zippered,
hand warmer pockets which are fleece lined. And in common with all Rab insulated jackets,
you've also got a natty little stuff sack to keep it in as well.
Okay, down to the bottom of the jacket now and you'll see that you've got a dual exit,
elasticated, hem cinch cord,again to keep it snug around the waist and to retain that
heat. And in terms of the cut of the this jacket what I really like here is it's quite
long at the front, but it's the back which I really, really love.
It's got a serious drop towel that comes way over the bum there and ensures I retain my
core body warmth. Now in terms of fit, I'm a 38-inch chest, I've got a size medium on
here today. It's a little bit baggy, but that's to fulfill it's function to sort of be dragged
over other layers if you're a climber. If you're not a climber, if you're just using
it as an ordinary insulated jacket, I might go down a size to ensure it's a better, sort
of fit for you.
And color wise, well, here at Webtalks at the moment we've got the electric blue. We've
also got the black that I'm wearing today, and there may be other colors at webtalks.co.uk.