Rab Kinetic Ultra Review: A Waterproof Running Jacket You Can Leave On

Introduction

The Rab Kinetic Ultra is the newest addition to Rab’s Skyline running range, and it brings the brand’s Proflex membrane to a jacket designed specifically for running. Proflex is a soft, stretchy, breathable and waterproof material that Rab has used for several years, first in the Kinetic Plus and later in the Kinetic Alpine. Those jackets built a following on comfort, and the Kinetic Ultra applies the same approach to a lighter, running-focused silhouette.

The result is a jacket that behaves less like a packable emergency shell and more like a layer you can keep on for a whole session.

Who the Rab Kinetic Ultra Is For

Rab already makes lighter waterproof running jackets, including the Phantom Pull-On, which is built around minimal weight. The Kinetic Ultra takes a different position: it is designed to be comfortable enough to leave on all day, whether it is raining or simply chilly and windy.

That makes it a good fit for runners who dislike the clammy, sticky feel of conventional waterproofs and want a single layer that covers a wide range of conditions. It also suits hill runners, commuters, and anyone who would rather wear a jacket than carry one in case of emergency.

Proflex: The Membrane Behind the Jacket

The Kinetic Ultra uses Proflex, a membrane Rab has refined across several seasons. It is soft, stretchy, breathable and waterproof, and it is the main reason the jacket feels closer to a softshell than a traditional hardshell.

Construction is three layers. The inner and outer faces are recycled polyester, and the inside uses a circular knit that gives a soft, comfortable feel against the skin. The membrane sits in the middle of that sandwich and is fully waterproof, rated to a 10,000mm hydrostatic head. Some Gore-Tex style membranes sit higher on that particular number, but they tend to be stiffer and less breathable, which is the trade-off Rab has avoided here.

Breathability and Comfort on the Run

Breathability is rated at 35,000 MVTR, or moisture vapour transfer rate, which is about as high as you will find on a waterproof jacket. In practice that means the jacket moves moisture out instead of trapping it, so it stays comfortable on long, steady efforts rather than turning clammy.

The feel is the other half of the story. Worn against the skin with a t-shirt underneath, the Kinetic Ultra feels like a softshell rather than a waterproof. That combination of breathability and next-to-skin comfort is what makes it realistic to wear in conditions where a conventional shell would be unpleasant.

Running-Specific Details: Pockets, Hood, and Cuffs

Rab stripped the design back for running. There are no hand pockets, which keeps the front clean and removes a feature most runners never use. Instead there is a single arm pocket sized for a key or a snack on a longer day out.

The hood is a highlight. It is close-fitting, with a pull cord at the back so it stays snug and moves with your head when you look left and right. The peak is shaped like a running cap peak, which gives useful protection when the rain is heavy. When the weather eases, the hood rolls neatly into the collar, and it can be released again while the jacket is still on.

A popper across the chest lets you vent the jacket when it is warm but still wet. Zip the front down and the popper holds the two sides together so nothing flaps. The hem has an adjuster for a tighter fit, and the cuffs use elastic on the lower half only. That leaves the upper half to come down smoothly over the hand, which keeps your watch easy to read and lets you push the sleeves up if you overheat.

Fit, Weight, and Packability

The Kinetic Ultra weighs around 300g, which is light for a three-layer jacket with this level of breathability. It also packs down small, so it still works as a jacket you carry rather than wear when that suits your plans.

Colour choice is worth thinking about. The bright option is the obvious pick for road and trail running where visibility matters, while a darker colourway makes more sense if you also want to wear the jacket casually. The fabric and cut make it plausible for both, and it holds up just as well on a wet walk as it does on a run.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The Kinetic Ultra is not the lightest waterproof in Rab’s running range, so runners who count every gram and want the smallest possible pack size may prefer something like the Phantom Pull-On. The trade-off is that those lighter jackets are not designed to be worn all day in the same way.

The 10,000mm hydrostatic head is also worth understanding. It is genuinely waterproof and entirely adequate for running, but it sits below the very highest figures quoted for some competing membrane technologies, which is the price of the softer, more breathable construction used here.

There are no hand pockets, which is a deliberate running decision but worth knowing if you are used to having them. And as with any waterproof, the comfort benefits depend on using it as intended: sustained effort rather than standing around in the rain.

Buying Advice

If you want a running jacket you can put on at the start of a session and forget about, the Kinetic Ultra is built for exactly that. Its value comes from breathability and comfort rather than minimum weight, so it makes most sense for runners who train regularly in wet, windy or changeable conditions and want one layer that handles all of it.

Choose it if comfort and versatility matter more than the smallest possible packed size. Look elsewhere in the range if your priority is a barely-there emergency shell. Either way, the breathability rating is the number to focus on, because it is what separates this jacket from the waterproofs that end up staying in the bag.

Conclusion

The Rab Kinetic Ultra brings the Proflex membrane to a purpose-built running jacket, and the combination works. It is waterproof, highly breathable, soft against the skin, and light enough at around 300g to carry when needed. The hood, cuffs and venting details show that the running use case was taken seriously, and the absence of hand pockets reads as a sensible choice rather than a compromise.

For runners who have avoided waterproofs because they feel clammy and restrictive, this is the kind of jacket that changes the calculation.