ProView – Rab Conduit Hoody

Typically, I run cold. So, winter adventures are always a bit tricky for me. I can’t just follow suit with the layers my partner chooses — he runs warm and his choice of clothing (or lack thereof) always shocks me. 

Recently I was heading out for a winter hike in the Colorado Rockies and I felt lucky to have the Rab Women’s Conduit Hoody as one of my layers. I was surprised at how lightweight, warm, and breathable this layer was. It was perfect to have during a winter hike where I was working up a sweat, but also needed some extra warmth.

It hadn’t snowed in over a week, but we knew there would be snow on the ground and the temperature would be between 30-40 Farenheit, with high winds at the alpine lake we were traveling to. We would be getting some good elevation gain in and likely sweating even though the weather would be in the low 30s at the beginning of the hike. This seemed like the perfect environment to test out the Rab Women’s Conduit Hoody.

Fit & Comfort

The fit of the Conduit Hoody seemed to be true to size, maybe a little on the slimmer side. The material is a recycled synthetic fleece fabric called Thermic™ G Fleece which is “highly efficient for energetic mountain activities… with a grid backer for improved breathability and reduced weight.” The fabric has a lot of stretch and is extremely soft, making it a super comfortable layer. For reference, I am wearing a size xs.

Packability

Coming in at 6.84oz, the Conduit Hoody is pretty lightweight for how much warmth it provides. I’m excited to bring this layer along for backpacking trips due to how small it packs and how versatile it is.

Features

A few notable features are the quarter zip and the hood. The quarter zip allowed me to adjust the amount of air flow while I was hiking. When we were heading uphill, I had the quarter zip unzipped allowing me to stay cool as I began to sweat. When we made it up to the lake and it was windy, I zipped up the double-layered collar and it did a great job at keeping my neck and chin warm. 

Another great feature is the hood. Designed to be worn under a helmet, the hood gave me comfort and warmth when it got windy. Typically when hiking in winter months, the weather can change quickly. It’s so nice to have the ability to quickly pull the hood over my brimmed hat when it suddenly gets a little cold and I don’t want to fumble around my bag to grab a beanie.

Performance / What Sets this Product Apart

I was really impressed with the versatility of this layer. I wore a wicking tank top underneath and this layer was a perfect first long-sleeved layer. It breathed well while I was sweating and hiking uphill, but kept me warm when we slowed down and the wind picked up.

Who is the product for?

The Conduit Hoody is for anyone who might work up a sweat in cold weather. This layer is perfect for hiking/snowshoeing, ski touring, ice climbing, and mountaineering.

Friendliness to the Earth

The Conduit Hoody is made with 92% recycled Thermic™ G Fleece making it an environmentally-friendly choice. In addition, Rab is working hard to be a responsible outdoor gear company. They have been a climate neutral company for three years in a row and have begun to release an annual sustainability report. Over the past few years they have been working to reduce their emissions and making more clothing with recycled fabrics. They also have a repair service where they help give products a longer life and encourage people to keep using the same piece of gear instead of buying new.

The Final Word

If you’re looking to get active in the colder months, the Rab Conduit Hoody is the perfect layer to keep you warm and dry. I’m so stoked to have this layer in my arsenal heading into the winter season… I know I’ll be using it a lot!

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