Rab Borealis vs Kinetic breathability?

I’ve been really surprised (and delighted) by my recent purchase of the Rab Borealis. It breathes so well, I’m happy to wear it throughout just about any autumn or winter ride. But of course, it isn’t water proof. Imo, it’s not even very water-resistant.

So this set me to thinking about the Rab Kinetic. Apparently it is a similar jacket, but with 5000mm of water-proofness. That sounds fine to me – I don’t need a jacket to stay out in the mountains for days on end, in stair-rod rain. I just want something that will work if it does rain after I set off.

Can anyone compare the breathability of the Kinetic vs the Borealis?

I’m puzzled by your post.  I have two Borealii. It has never occured to me to think about their breathability, any more than I would worry about the breathability of a base layer or a thin fleece.

Likewise it would never occur to me to question it’s waterproofness as it quite obviously isn’t

Apparently it is a similar jacket, but with 5000mm of water-proofness

I’ve not seen the other garment you speak of, but if it has a 5m Has then it’s patently obviously a substantially  different garment serving a significantly different purpose. No?

Edit to

1)Concede that the material on my two Borealii is hugely different, so they may well have changed it again recently to make it  less breathable and more waterproof

2) Actually answer your question.  🙂 I reckon the Borealis is loads more breathable than the Kinetic

The Borealis and the Kinetic look almost identical in the photos/reviews ive seen. Like you, I assumed that the breathability will be compromised by the additional waterproofness. But reviews of the Kinetic rave about the breathability, just like the Borealis reviews do. (That’s why I bought the Borealis).

So I just wonder if anyone owns both?

While I have no first hand experience, the Kinetic uses a PU membrane for waterproofness, so I can’t believe it will be breathable in the way that the Borealis is? You can literally breath through the fabric of the Borealis. The Kinetic may be more breathable than other waterproofs, but not in the same league as a stretch woven windshirt…

Interested to hear otherwise though!

PS, Borealii, very nice.

I have a Kinetic and it’s pretty waterproof, been out in heavy rain and stayed dry. Water does manage to get in up the cuffs a bit, capillary action maybe. As waterproofs go. it’s pretty breathable, but not wind shirt breathable. It’s my go to water proof for anything other than full on winter conditions.

Today on the Quantocks I was soaked twice whilst wearing my borealis. Once when the rain came down and I was on the ridge, and once riding a rhodedendron festooned track so narrow that brushing past it all soaked me.

Within about 15-20 minutes on each occasion I was pretty dry again. Excellent fabric, but not water proof at all.

Is there a hoodless jacket made with the kinetic material? I wouldn’t mind giving it a try if I can find a hoodless option at a decent price.

I find in a standard waterproof jacket the sweat pours off me and I can’t regulate my heat, so in cold wet weather I switch from too hot when putting an effort in, to freezing downhill as the sweat laden baselayers chill me down. I am fine with my borealis on warm and autumnal/spring showery conditions, but would like to find a better midwinter option as I am bored to death of indoor riding.

What’s the sizing like on the borealis softshell? What size chest and size jacket are people using?

@oscillatewildly – My Borealis is quite slim fitting. I don’t know my chest size but I take size large normal clothes – got the same in the Rab and it’s not roadie tight or anything but it’s quite an “Alpine” cut. It’s very stretchy though so it depends how baggy you want it.

Is there a hoodless jacket made with the kinetic material?

I don’t think so. It’s basically a soft-feel, stretchy waterproof, from memory there’s the Kinetic 2.0. The Kindetic Alpine 2.0, which is similar but with tougher fabric, polyamide rather than polyester. And the Kinetic Cinder, which is the hooded bike jacket.

Fwiw, having used all three, I’d say it’s reasonably, breathable for a waterproof, but wets out a bit too easily and dries quite slowly when it does. Nowhere near as breathable as a Borealis, or any other non-membrane softshell. It’s kind of decent on changeable days ime, but everyone’s different.

Thanks @elray for the info I’ll just risk it in a small and I’ll lose some weight if it’s too tight 🙂

Not very helpful, but I’d say it’s “normal” sizing. As above it’s an alpine cut so a bit more roomy in the shoulders with long arms, but not baggy around the lower torso.

I’m a medium in most outdoors brand but prefer Rab and Montane over boxy cuts like Patagonia, the medium Borealis fits me perfectly. Enough room underneath for a base layer and a fleece for winter use, but also fits fine with just a t-shirt in warmer weather.