The Rab Kangri is a well-designed and versatile hard shell jacket, ideal for days in the hills and mountains. If you’re looking for an all-round jacket that is light and packable enough to carry in case of a shower, but also durable and waterproof enough to keep you dry for several hours of torrential rain, this is an excellent option – especially given its new extended sizing.

The ultimate test of a waterproof jacket is whether it keeps you dry and comfortable, and the GORE-TEX 3 layer fabric meant this one held up pretty well. Thanks to some stormy weather over the winter it faced some pretty bleak, wet and blustery walks in South Wales, during which I stayed reassuringly dry, and after months of use it still beads well.

While I definitely got warm in it going up big hills, the two-way pit zips really helped to provide some ventilation and stop me getting too sweaty. It also survived well in a particularly bramble filled section of Welsh hillside, emerging unscathed and proving to be pretty hard wearing.

The jacket has most of the technical functionality I look for in a jacket – the two way zip has a zipper that’s easy to use wearing gloves, a fleece lined chin guard, a storm flap and a popper at the bottom to keep it secure. I didn’t have any water coming through the zip, even in the heaviest rain.

I also found the hood very well designed and spacious – there’s a volume adjustment and a wired peak, and I found the shape kept my face (and glasses) surprisingly dry on some pretty torrential winter walks.

It isn’t the lightest or most packable jacket on the market, but it’s lightweight enough to carry on day and multi-day walks. The two waist pockets are great and fitted high to allow them to be accessible even when wearing a hip belt, and the internal pocket is zipped and slightly stretchy, making it the perfect size for a phone or other valuables.

For me, the main disappointment in the design of the jacket is the omission of a chest pocket – it is missing on both the men’s and women’s versions, and as someone who usually carries a paper map, I found it frustrating to not have a pocket to keep it in.

Rab has expanded its sizing in the Kangri (along with a few other items) up to a women’s 24 and men’s 3XL (available at Cotswold Outdoor until Autumn/Winter 2025), making this jacket an excellent choice for larger and plus size people looking for a technical hill walking jacket. The size and fit of the extended sizing on me is excellent – it fits well across both my chest and hips (I often find jackets too snug on my hips), and they’ve paid attention to how bodies change in shape as they get bigger. The sleeves are pretty long though – as I’m tall it wasn’t an option but may be less ideal for shorter people.

Testing conditions

Steph wore this jacket in the Brecon Beacons and south west of England throughout the autumn and winter. She is a size 20, 5’10 tall and is pear shaped.