Regatta Rift Jacket Waterproof XPT outdoor soft-shell
Share
Regatta Rift Jacket Waterproof XPT outdoor soft-shell performance top layer.
UK price: £55
Pros: water and wind proof, light, washable, good value
Cons: no hood or zip vents, uncomfortable cuffs
Verdict: serious bit of outdoor kit for the price of a posh T-shirt
Rating: 
Available from: www.oswaldbailey.co.uk
Product Review
I gave the new Rift outdoor jacket from Regatta a really tough test. I took it straight from the courier’s hands and up to Cumbria for a long weekend featuring the worst weather for 50 years. I couldn’t even get to my accommodation because the roads were flooded. Instead I donned this XPT soft shell Rift jacket and took to the hills.
The Rift is supposedly the new ‘modern alternative’ to fleece - although the name softshell implies it’s part of some awful eighties day-glo streetwear. In reality the Rift jacket is a sober zip-up top that is smoother and stretchier to the touch than fleece. It feels less cosy but more technical. I wore it over a Regatta base layer I’ll review on another page.
The softshell fabric is woven but has a water repellent finish. The exterior feels more like a raincoat - not as rubbery as a normal waterproof top and not as fluffy as a fleece. The Rift includes the Isotex 5000 membrane liner that is seriously waterproof but very breathable too.
The weather was extreme - fog, gale force winds, heavy hail and rain, severe chill factor - but the Rift stood up well. For an hour it was my primary defence against the wind and light but high velocity rain. The Rift performed faultlessly. The taped seams, Velcro adjustable cuffs, water-repellent zips, thick inner zip guard and high collar all kept the elements out. The waist hem has a drawstring tightener and more unusually so does the high neck. Rain just seems to roll off this fabric. Wind chill doesn’t happen.
As things got even more hairy over 2000ft I slipped on a hooded top layer - I needed the extra head covering because regrettably the Rift doesn’t have a hood. Under this the Rift still stopped the wind, it felt light and I didn’t get too sweaty under all those layers.
In conditions like this the little details count for a lot: the Rift has two zipped side pockets. I kept my hands in them plus snacks and camera. Another zipped side pocket is called a ‘map pocket’ and it is surprisingly big - big enough for my OS map. The drawback with this pocket is that the zip is very close to the main front zip. Several times in the fierceness of the storm I confused the two zips and ended up swearing at a zip that apparently wouldn’t do up. Maybe this is something I’ll get used to with more adventures.
The new Regatta jacket is warmer than it feels. You wouldn’t snuggle up to this like a favourite old fleece but the Rift certainly does the main jobs: keeping out wind and rain, while letting your hard-working body breathe. It’s light, packs easily and can be easily machine washed. One negative point is that there’s nothing about it that you’d say looks cool. It’s just seriously functional kit. But this is designed for high activity outdoor situations not fashion parades.
Small point: the adjustable cuffs feature a simple rubber tag that velcroes across to loosen or tighten. If you tighten it right up to keep the rain out the fabric is crudely gathered into an uncomfortable bunch underneath it. There should be an inner elasticated cuff and a better design here.
Average customer rating
awaiting 5 vote(s)...
Email
Why Register?
