Rab Cinder Phantom Waterproof Jacket

Great well thought-through lightweight piece, made for cycling.

This is a fantastic piece by Rab. It's well thought out. It doesn't have anything unnecessary, and everything it does have, works well.

The material is slightly crickly, just above a softshell, just right for me. I love that you can tie down the hood so it's not flapping about when not in use. I think it has a #2 zip, which is the smallest I've seen on a garment, but it works fine.

The separate stuffback is a pro and con: as it's meant for cycling use, you can strap the sack + jacket to your bike, and the only thing getting dirty is the stuffsack, not the inside of your pocket. But, as the jacket doesn't have any pockets, the stuffsack is quite easy to lose (track of).

Also, I have a size M (me: tallish and slenderish at 190cm, 76kg), which fits snugly but nice, I can fit a good midlayer underneath no problem. But, when I stand up straight, the front of the jacket doesn't even reach my belt due to the cycling cut (ie long backside, short front). Maybe I need to size up, but that could mean a sloppier fit. 

Overall a great piece but consider the size when you purchase it, I wouldn't wear my M around town because my most important parts would get wet and it looks a little silly!

If I compare it to the Rab Vital Hoody, the Cinder Phantom is:

• Lighter (~94g vs ~130g on scale), but it's noticeable. 
• Fully waterproof fabric instead of windproof + DWR
• Slimmer fit throughout
• Less crickly (although Vital is by all means acceptable)

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Worn a few days