Rab Latok GTX Jacket

Durable shell, great breathability! This product is made for people who USE their products, although stylish in town! Lots of adjustments, great underarm ventilation! Please read full review, jacket was replaced under warranty after two years.

US Large fits perfect for 5'10"/160lbs.

I've finally found my dream jacket! I went with this for every reason... Being a veteran mountain backpacker, tough is an absolute must. Being a climbers jacket, it is slim (important for larger builds) and VERY abrasion resistant. Perfect fit wearing US Large, I'm 5'10"/160lbs. Not one tear from rocks, briars, steep decline slides!

The hood is very adjustable, with a wire brim for directing rain/wind. Hood rolls up and can be stowed with a velcro loop. (Not much experience with hood rolled, I ALWAYS keep my hood accessible. The tail of the jacket tapers down sufficiently, but the front is right where it should be, just below the waistline. Adjustable cuffs for proper fit with gloves, etc. that can still be relatively loose.

No concern raising arms overhead with or without wearing a backpack. Underarm ventilation is superb with very long zippers. When fully open, rain is guided down without any water intrusion. Two nice front zippers for maps/credit cards. Left inner zipper pocket about 4"x4", right inner pocket open at top, large enough to fit a 32oz. Nalgene bottle. 

I've NEVER gotten wet inside this shell for two years of regular use in rain/snow, zero F-80+ F rainstorms. This coat has never failed in two hurricanes, many blizzards. (Note: the manufacturer notes the front exterior pockets may allow rain in, plastic coating your maps is always recommended!) Never had any moisture in front pockets. Breathability is excellent, better than any Gore product I've owned (many). This is a shell, the warmth factor in my opinion is N/A. I recommend a lightweight, highly breathable mid-layer. This coat fits perfectly with a base layer, not too tight, but not much extra room! 

This shell has maintained well using Nikwax products, as specified from the manufacturer. I recommend air drying rather than dryer use!!! The zippers became smooth as glass after the first washing. I find the manufacturing quality second to none, still in like perfect condition, and I'm hard on gear. This coat contends with/surpasses some $500+ shells, extremely satisfied finding for $325.

On the whole, I'm not interested in any other shells (unless testing/none have surpassed), this one is a great mountain backpacker's jacket.

PART II

After about two years, this jacket began to have some concerns. The outer jacket material had begun to separate from the membrane. 

This was how bad it got after another additional wash. I got in touch with Rab USA in Louisville, CO. They were extremely efficient and professional, replaced the jacket after sending it in for inspection. I received a new jacket, two model years newer, and couldn't be happier.

Apparently, there was some kind of 'bad run' of manufacturing, which they worked out. This same result can also occur when not washing a product enough, and causes the delimitation. Fortunately, I take good care of my stuff, and it wasn't a problem.  I have had to drop the review down a star, but hopefully this replacement jacket will be a five-star product!

I have had this shell for a couple of months and really enjoy it. 

things I like:

• excellent quality, both construction and attention to detail.  it does virtually all the little things very well. 
• fabric is very robust - feels heavier and more substantial than any other eVent shell i have tried
• eVent - waterproof and very breathable for a shell this robust
• lots of pockets
• adjustable hood that is a nice size and shape, is easy to adjust, has a good wire in the brim, and is very easy to tuck away if you don't want a hood.
• longer than normal armpit zips allow a great deal of mechanical ventilation

things to think about:

• it runs a little narrow, i bought one size larger than i normally would
• it is a relatively short jacket, hangs just to the top of the hips. 
• bottom zipper latches on the opposite side from zippers on jackets from north american companies, a minor inconvenience.
• not an ultralight product, weighs about 25 ounces, hence 8-12 ounces more than the truly light and spartan shells
• the zippers are all water resistant - initially, they feel somewhat stiff to operate.  that diminishes after a little use. 

i have now worn this shell in a lot of rainy weather and on a fair number of windy days, and the protection from the elements is outstanding. at the same time, between the large armpit openings and the eVent, it does very well adjusting to more temperate weather too. 

i haven't owned or used anything from RAB before, and i am impressed. though i have not seen any true winter mountain weather yet, i anticipate it will be great in those conditions too. 

Overall the jacket is light, fits well, and is solidly constructed. However, I have one major problem with it and a couple of small nits.

My big gripe is the structure of the hood and the collar. They are essentially one integrated piece. When the hood isn't deployed the collar doesn't close that well around the neck. There are two elastic pull strings that can tighten the neck (they are not easily tightened with one hand) but this causes the neck to bunch considerably and makes the jacket fit awkwardly around or below the chin.

This hood/collar design is also awkward when the jacket is slightly unzipped on warmer days.

Maybe the design is atuned to trekking more than skiing but the jacket is being marketed for both.

Also, it would be great if there were something that you can weather your gloves to at the cuffs so you don't lose them on lifts.

Bombproof winter shell jacket with great fit, especially in the hood.

I have had this jacket a couple of years and mainly use it hillwalking in Ireland and Scotland and for general wear.

So far it has been very good, with excellent comfort, waterproofing, and breathability. I have used it in winter gales and blizzards in Scotland and can vouch for it keeping the weather out and fitting well over a helmet.

I find the four chest pockets very well positioned when wearing a rucksack waistbelt or a harness.

I have taken a tumble off a bicycle onto pavement in it, landing on my forearm and hardly put a mark on it. Respect!

Heavier than some other jackets, but packed with good features and so far bombproof.

The Latok is a very good and useful product. I have put this shell to use in late spring and throught winter in Eastern Oregon, Nevada, Wyoming, and Scotland. It is great for ice and sleet.

I use this jacket over a wool sweater and long top in winter short climbs, hunting, and hiking. It is the best I have found of this type.

I would suggest it to everyone.

Perfect all round mountain hardshell.

Recently brought this to get me through the winter in the mountains and I can certainly say it's living up to my expectations. Unreal jacket and unreal quailty as usual with RAB products.

Background

All-round hiker and ice climber.

Excellent hard shell. Extremely well designed; abundance of pockets. Well manufactured. One nit -- I happen to like a small pocket on the sleeve for items like car keys. Highly recommended.