A down or insulated jacket is the piece of kit most trampers reach for first when they stop moving — at a ridgeline, at a hut, on a cold morning start. Get it right and it earns its place on every trip. Get it wrong and you're either sweating under too much bulk or shivering in something that doesn't cut it.
Our men's insulated jacket range is led by Rab — technical jackets built for NZ tramping conditions. Options span from packable everyday layers to expedition-ready synthetic shells for high-output use in wet conditions.
Down vs Synthetic — Which to Choose
Down gives you the best warmth-to-weight ratio and packs smallest. For dry, cold alpine conditions, it's the gold standard. Rab's Hydrophobic Down treatment makes the Microlight Alpine range genuinely usable in light NZ rain — but always layer a waterproof shell over it in serious conditions.
Synthetic insulation retains warmth when wet and dries faster — better for NZ's frequently damp conditions. Rab's Xenair range is synthetic, not down — an important distinction. Xenair suits trampers who expect rain and want consistent warmth regardless of moisture.
Fill Power
Higher fill power = lighter weight for equivalent warmth. The Rab Microlight Alpine uses 750-fill hydrophobic down — ultralight, highly compressible, and trusted on demanding NZ routes. The extended alpine hem provides extra coverage over a hip belt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between the Rab Microlight Alpine and the Rab Xenair?
The Microlight Alpine uses 750-fill hydrophobic down — ultralight, highly compressible, and the benchmark for a packable tramping mid-layer. The Xenair uses synthetic insulation — heavier and less compressible, but retains warmth when damp and performs more consistently in NZ's wet conditions. If you tramp in reliably dry alpine conditions, the Microlight Alpine. If you regularly encounter sustained rain or are heading to the West Coast or Fiordland, the Xenair is the more practical choice.
Is down or synthetic better for NZ tramping?
Both work well in NZ conditions when used correctly. Down with hydrophobic treatment (Rab Microlight Alpine) is the better choice for weight-conscious trampers on drier routes. Synthetic (Rab Xenair) is more consistent in wet conditions. The critical rule for either: always layer your waterproof shell over the insulated jacket in NZ rain — no insulated jacket, down or synthetic, is designed to get wet.
How should I layer an insulated jacket for tramping?
Insulated jacket goes on over your base layer and under your waterproof shell. The key is discipline: take it off before you start moving hard, put it on immediately when you stop. Wearing a down or synthetic jacket while sweating hard leads to moisture saturation — once wet, both lose warmth efficiency. A jacket that stuffs into its own pocket makes on/off transitions much easier on the trail.
What fill power do I need?
600-fill is warm and affordable, good for around camp and car camping. 700-fill is the sweet spot for most tramping — solid warmth at a reasonable weight. 800+ fill power is premium and ultralight — worth the price if you're counting grams on multi-day trips. The Rab Microlight Alpine at 750-fill hits the right balance for most NZ trampers.
How do I care for a down jacket?
Machine wash on a delicate cycle using a down-specific detergent (Nikwax Down Wash Direct). Tumble dry on low with two or three tennis balls to re-loft the down — this step is essential. Never dry-clean. Store loosely at home — keeping down permanently compressed reduces loft over time. Air thoroughly after every use before packing away.
How do I care for a synthetic insulated jacket?
Machine wash on a gentle cycle with a standard or technical wash detergent. Line dry or tumble dry on low — synthetic dries faster than down. Avoid high heat. Store loosely rather than permanently compressed.