Rab Nexus Hoody

Review by Erin Trail

The Rab Nexus Hoody is a perfect option for cooler weather layering. It’s lightweight, breathable, and easy to wear, making it the perfect layer for a wide variety of adventures.

Details

• Made from Thermic™ G (178gsm) Circular backer recycled polyester fleece
• YKK® VISLON® center front zip with zip guard
• Close fitting hood that easily fits beneath a helmet
• Two zipped mesh-lined side pockets
• Secure fitting double cuffs

Detailed Review

I love a good fleece hoody.  I have a sizeable collection of hoodys, but the Rab Nexus Hoody stands out amongst the collection as a new favorite of mine.

The Rab Nexus Hoody has several design elements that make the hoody pop.  The circular pattern to the inside of the fleece is both functional and fun. The pattern creates a good balance of breathability and warmth and the pattern is eye-catching.

There are fun pops of color that also bring the Rab Nexus Hoody to the front of my collection.  I have the Hoody in mulberry, a color I’m obsessed with.  The logo embroidery and zipper pulls are accented in their watermelon colorway, adding a fun bit of dimension and style while remaining functional.

The fit is on the slim side but I found it to be true to size and in accordance with the size chart.  The fabric is very stretchy and easily moves with me.  I also really love the length of the Rab Nexus Hoody.  I’m short waisted and find that the bottom hem generally hits me below the widest part of my hips. I like the coverage for additional warmth and prefer this silhouette over more cropped items.

The hood is also comfortable to wear.  The zipper has a soft fleece guard on it and the neckline hits right at my chin.  The opening area of the hood has a generous cuff which allows for a comfortable fit without leaving lines on your forehead.

The zippered hand pockets have a natural feeling hand entry and are large enough to hold a wide variety of items. I can easily accommodate both a phone and car keys into one pocket.

I received the Rab Nexus Hoody in early August and it’s been with me on every camping trip I’ve taken in August and September. It is the perfect weight for cool late summer and early fall evenings on it’s own, with only a t-shirt underneath. It also works well as a mid-layer when things get windy or a bit colder.  I haven’t tried it skiing, but I imagine that with the hood design, it would be fantastic mid-layer under a ski jacket shell.

The Rab Nexus Hoody packs down nicely, making it easy to bring along anywhere.  I’ve brought it with me on a bikepacking weekend and also in a small carry-on for a flight to Ohio.

Closing Thoughts

Rab brings both function and fun with their Nexus Hoody.  This layer is designed to both look good and feel good, making it an easy choice to bring along nearly anywhere.  The women’s version is available in 8 colorways (ranging from basic to bright) and in sizes XXS to 3XL.

Erin Trail

Trail Boss of Stoke