Upon opening the Rab Woman’s Cinder Phantom you could be forgiven for thinking that you’d accidentally been sent a light summer windproof rather than a waterproof jacket. It’s definitely the lightest of the jackets in our guide to the best waterproof cycling jackets. The name Phantom is very apt for such a light, squishable, teeny jacket. Looking at it you could believe it would be about as waterproof as a tea bag, but with an impressive set of stats it promises a lot in terms of waterproof and breathability.
I’ve put it through its paces over the winter as an emergency layer and in some sustained downpours to really test it out and see if I can find the limit of this featherweight option.
Design and aesthetics
Fit wise, this jacket has the vibe of a ‘just in case’ layer about it. It’s not going to turn heads and has quite a no nonsense boxy fit, not dissimilar to the dhb Aeron. The arms were a good length and the hood was a good fit. It’s worth noting this one is designed to go under your helmet, so if you want to keep your hair dry you’ll have to stop to pop it on.
The fabric is incredibly light and this Pertex Shield has the same rating as the Albion All Road Jacket I reviewed (20,000mm/MVTR: 20,000 g/m2/24hrs.) If that means absolutely nothing to you then check out this guide to waterproof ratings, but in lay terms it’s darn breathable and waterproof, on paper at any rate. It’s slightly stretchy for added comfort, too.
The Phantom comes with a separate, handy pouch so it can be strapped to your bike rather than having to find somewhere to keep it until you need it. It’s so small that putting it in a pocket is no problem, but if you don’t want to sweat soak it before you need it, the pouch is a nice touch. It has an elasticated cord attachment and has the Rab logo printed in silicone to offer a bit of grip to stop it moving and twisting on your frame.
With extreme weight shedding, also comes feature shredding! Don’t expect much by way of adjustment cords, velcro straps or pockets that would all add weight. Instead Rab has lightly elasticated cuffs that sit a bit wide at my wrists compared with other jackets, and the dropped hem is helped to stay in place with another silicone printed logo. The hood has a stiffened peak to help shield your eyes from rain, but your helmet is largely what will be holding it in place.
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