Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1034474
civilian style. Rapax definitely distinguishes itself from what I own and – unfortunately – it does not always stand for positive features. Let us start from the top – I do not need a hood in an URBAN softshell jacket. I must address Shash's question here – of course, it sometimes gets windy and sometimes rains in the city. Still, it is a city! Not a taiga or a climb onto Nanga Parbat, where there is no place to hide. When you are in the city, you can just walk into a store, a cafe, stand under a roof, get onto public transport, use a car or taxi. So, mankind will survive, despite the evil chill just around the corner. Apart from that, I always wear a hat (it's just a habit or a sign of excessive level of testosterone). When it comes to wind or rain in the city, I rather stay calm. Ergo – I do not mind the lack of hood because I treat Rapax as an urban jacket. Oh, I would have almost forgotten – whenever it got chilly, I used a hoodie that I put on my back, on the Rapax, to keep myself warm. It looks cool, keeps me warm. Whenever it gets too windy, I just put the hood on and the problem's solved. The cut of the jacket is pretty cool – I am not an enthusiast of jackets that fit close to your body and Rapax is similar to Arc'Teryx Alpha (which I like). The length of this Austrian softshell is perfect for urban activities, driving a car, commuting, etc. - when you get into a car, you just sit on the seat instead of sitting partially on the seat and partially on the jacket, which is irritating, and you must adjust your body position from time to time. In the case of Rapax, there is no such problem and I find it to be an advantage. As for disadvantages, I hate the way drawcords – the "partial mechanism" works only for the back or only for the front – who does come up with such ideas? I try to adjust the bottom of the jacket, I pull the elastic cord and adjust the jacket on my bottom, while the front of the jacket stays the same – seriously? The material – it is cool, soft, elastic, it feels pleasant. It is decent when it comes to protection against wind and chilly weather. It will also perform well enough in case of low rainfall. Rapax is very light and can be compressed easily. What about breathability? I don't know, since I do not use this jacket for any activities that would require more physical effort. The jacket is for other purposes. But it is not extremely breathable, of that I am certain. It is a jacket for urban activities. Period. If you want to use it for jogging, tourist activities other than an undemanding walk in the woods, then (surprise, surprise) you will sweat. However, it is a fantastic solution for the urban environment – people used to call such jackets "windbreakers". Arrangement of pockets – it is generally OK, but I have some reservation. I do not mind the asymmetric design on the chest, but I find it annoying when it comes to the sleeves. The reason why they did not sew on a pocket on the right side – for me, it is a mystery. It has no impact on the design, because the pockets are barely visible. When it comes to practical use, it makes my blood boil whenever I try to reach for the zipper on my right arm and... find nothing there. A nice detail – the zip is sealed with a strip. Contrary to many other models, it works in this case. Rapax ensures a cool range of movement, the cut is exceptionally convenient. I generally do not use the drawcords on the cuffs, because I do not feel like it. Especially when I wear something beneath the jacket. A CLOTHING