Summer is here. In fact, it feels like it's been here for a while. With our waterproofs safely stowed away under the stairs until Autumn (please cross your fingers), we thought we'd take some time to talk about the oft overlooked stalwart of the climber's wardrobe; the softshell.

Blending wind resistance, breathability and stretch, softshells are an ideal companion for the warmer months when the chances of heavy rain are lower but there's still a need for that extra bit of protection from the elements.

The perfect choice of softshell for you will depend very much on the type of climbing you're doing and the features you value most. Luckily, we have a wide range of options within the Rab Range to suit a variety of needs.

Borealis Jacket

New for this season, the Borealis Jacket is our lightest weight softshell, coming in at just 300g for a Men's size Large. Ideal for those who enjoy long multi-pitch routes or anyone looking to cut down on how much weight they carry, the Borealis is exceptionally good at blocking the wind and shedding light rain. Packing down into its own chest pocket (complete with clip loop), the Borealis is easily stored in the top of a bag or clipped to your harness.

The Borealis is available in Men's and Women's cuts from size S-XXL and 8-16 respectively, with four colours to choose from in each. Learn more: Men's/Women's

Torque Jacket

For those wanting something a little heftier, that not only keeps out the wind, but also offers more in the way of warmth and serious abrasion resistance, our classic Torque Jacket is a great choice. Updated for this season with some refinements to its fit and tailoring, The Torque is constructed using a double weave fabric with abrasion-absorbing overlays on the hood, elbows and sides. With a burlier construction than the Borealis, The Torque is a brilliant companion for colder summer conditions; whether that's damp scrambles in the UK or alpine climbing on the continent.

The Torque is available in Men's and Women's cuts from size S-XXL and 8-16 respectively, with three colours to choose from in each. Learn more: Men's/Women's

Kinetic Plus

We may have joked about stowing away the waterproofs until the tail end of the year, but let's face it, this is still the UK and one thing that dissuades a lot of people from choosing a softshell over a waterproof is the likelihood of rain. With our Kinetic Plus Jacket this age-old trade-off has become a thing of the past, as the jacket blends the attributes of a softshell; stretch, breathability and feel with the waterproof protection of a classic hard shell.

Defying categorisation, the Kinetic Plus has quickly become one of our most popular designs and testament to this are the wealth of positive reviews it has received in the year since its release.

The Kinetic Plus is available in Men's and Women's cuts from size S-XXL and 8-16 respectively, with three colours to choose from in each. Learn more and read additional reviews: Men's/Women's