Bergans Rabot 365 Jacket Review
by The Bald Scrambler
Published By: Daniel Woodley. Updated: 17th October 2023. Filed at: Reviews. Disclosure: I may earn a commission from purchases made via links.
For the last two winters, the Rabot 365 jacket by Bergans has been my go-to armour against the biting cold wind and driving snow.
This jacket and I have braved:
- The snow-covered ridge of Crib Goch and the icy peak of Snowdon.
- Frosted trails of the Watkin Path and South Ridge Circular.
- Icy gusts on Tryfan’s North Ridge.
- Snow flurries and more on Bristly Ridge.
- Multiple winter scrambles and other hikes in Snowdonia.
Simply put, when winter showed its fiercest face, the Rabot 365 was my go-to jacket.
Two years into our adventures together, this jacket has withstood the test, showing barely any signs of wear.
This is my honest review.
Me wearing the Rabot 365 jacket in Snowdonia.
Pros
- Very warm.
- Lightweight.
- Large pockets with long zips.
- Adjustable hood that’s helmet-friendly.
- Reinforced elbow, chest and shoulder sections.
- Elasticated cuffs.
- Elasticated and adjustable waist.
- Wide velcro flap to protect the main zip from water/wind.
Cons
- Big and puffy.
- The elasticated cuffs aren’t adjustable.
- Limited colour choice.
Winter’s Call: What is the Rabot 365 For?
The Rabot 365 by Bergans isn’t your average winter coat; it’s more than that. This jacket finds its niche between the robustness of an alpine shell and the warmth of a hiking jacket.
It’s tailor-made for those frosty ascents, icy scrambles, and snow-covered treks. When the temperature dropped and the snow fell, the Rabot 365 ensured I stayed toasty and I have the photos to prove it.
Fit & Feel in Freezing Conditions
I went up a size to accommodate the extra layers I wear in the winter and the fact I do lots of scrambling that involves stretching and reaching out with my arms.
I’ve found the jacket’s fit perfect; it sits snugly around my waist and the adjustable elasticated band allowed me to tighten or loosen, depending on which layers I was wearing.
I found there’s plenty of space around my armpits for me to stretch my arms out.
The hood can be adjusted from the rear, and there was plenty of room for a helmet, and when I took that off, I could tighten the drawstring and keep the hood close to my face and head.
The collar sits very high on my chin and offers protection from the wind, something I appreciated when out on the summits in winter!
Wearing the jacket and a helmet on the summit of Glyder Fach.
The hood tightener is tucked in at the back of the hood.
Wind Resistance
There are a couple of wind resistance features worth mentioning:
- The flap over the main zip is extra wide and held in place with velcro. This stops driving rain from getting into the zip.
- Elasticated cuffs.
- Adjustable hood that’s helmet-friendly.
- Adjustable waist band.
- Windproof and water-repellent Pertex® Quantum Eco fabric is used in the construction.
Wide zip flap keeps out rain and wind.
Keeping warm in sub-zero temperatures.
Warmth and Insulation
As you can see from my photos, I’ve used this jacket during the winter in Snowdonia in sub-zero temperatures and it kept me very warm, sometimes a bit too warm.
On some ascents, I took the jacket off as I was so warm but when I stopped at the summit, I certainly felt the cold and the jacket did it’s job:
The Bergan Rabot 365 jacket is filled with PrimaLoft® Gold insulation which is PrimaLoft’s premier jacket material.
PrimaLoft is a synthetic material which outperforms down feathers in wet conditions.
Read more about PrimaLoft here.
The Rabot 365 has a fill volume of 700 cuin with 90/10 down and a fill weight of 200/㎡.
In short, this is a warm jacket and perfect for hiking and camping on the coldest days in the UK.
Where This Jacket Could Be Improved
The cuffs are elasticated but not adjustable. As I do lots of scrambling, I often have my hands above my head and water or snow melt can make its way into the cuff area. An adjustable cuff would allow me to keep the water out.
The jacket is very big and puffy, like the Michelin Man and that’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
The price – this isn’t a cheap jacket.
You may also like:
About Daniel Woodley
This review of Bergan’s Rabot 365 jacket was created by Daniel Woodley, aka The Bald Scrambler.
From walking along beaches and kayaking down rivers to making his way up mountains and even jumping out of planes, Daniel has a love of the outdoors but scrambling is his real passion.
Daniel Woodley aka The Bald Scrambler
Have fun, keep safe. Hopefully I’ll see you on the mountains one day
By The Bald Scrambler