For the past 10 years, I've worn a North Face waterproof jacket whenever it has rained.
But, when it came to holidays, I found the three quarter length coat was quite bulky.
I wanted something that could pack small enough to slip into my bag in case of showers but that would definitely keep me dry whilst looking smart at the same time.
A tall order? You wouldn't think so but I tried on lots and found they were either too baggy or tight, made a noise when I walked or didn't pack down small.
Then I went to Go Outdoors and tried on the Rab Firewall Light Waterproof Jacket and instantly knew I'd found the raincoat for me.
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Made from durable three-layer Proflex™ fabric, it's the streamlined design I love because it's snug on my body without being tight and has a hood with a stiffened peak for added rain protection.
The soft knitted backer makes it really comfortable against my skin.
I popped it in my bag when I went for a hike in the forest and was surprised that it weighed nothing - just 313g - and took up next-to-no space.
When it started raining, it was great to grab and stick on. The rain just beaded and ran off rather than soaking in. It meant that, when the rain stopped, the jacket was dry enough for me to fold it up and pack back in my bag again.
My favourite thing about this jacket, apart from its packability, is that it doesn't restrict my movement in any way. My old coat made me feel a bit stifled, especially if I had layers underneath.
This is such a good fit that, whilst I knew it would be fine over a heavy fleece or jumper, I wondered if I'd struggle to add a baffle jacket underneath in the winter.
I have a Rab Women's Axion Pro Jacket from Blacks that looks pretty big but feels like I'm wearing a cloud. I put it on then tried the Rab waterproof over the top and was delighted that it fitted really easily, making it a great combination for the winter too.
The other thing I love is the colour. It's a really stylish blue which is versatile to go with any outfit and even smart enough to wear to the office.
My only criticism of this lightweight jacket is the sleeve-length as the sleeves were slightly too long on me. However, the cuffs are adjustable so I'm able to make sure they don't come down over my hands.
This may be useful in the winter when I wear it over additional layers and perhaps want to ensure no gaps between my coat and gloves.
Alternative jackets I looked at include Peter Storm's Women's Storm Waterproof Jacket which is currently reduced at Black's from £110 to £60. It was good value but not as nice a fit.
And I also tried the Berghaus Maitland Long Gore-tex Jacket at Millets which is also on offer, down from £220 to £207.
Women's capri jeans and trousers
The Rab Firewall Jacket comes in sizes eight to 16 and costs £200. However, Go Outdoors members can get it for £180, which is a £20 saving. You can also get 10% off when you sign up for texts.
It's not cheap but this is an investment jacket that I will be wearing for years to come as it's adaptable for all seasons and weather conditions.
Disclaimer: This item was gifted by Go Outdoors, however all opinions expressed in this review are the held by the writer.
