Rab MeCo Mock Zip

Rab long sleeve shirt

In fall 2011 Rab will debut their new base layers. They will have two lines of baselayers. One uses a Merino-wool/Cocona-polyester blend and utilizes the best of both fabrics. The other is a Polartec Power Dry fleece. Both lines have great stretch, moisture management and dry very quickly. We’ve been fortunate to get a sneak peak and have been trying them out since late winter and we are loving them.

Rab Polartec Interior

The Rab MeCo line is a high performance baselayer that has a 65:35% blend of Merino with Cocona. The resulting product is a baselayer with the warmth and comfort of wool with the significantly faster drying benefits of the coconut by-product Cocona. Rab’s MeCo baselayers have men’s and women’s sizing available and comes in a variety of styles and colors. They have tee shirts, long sleeve shirts, quarter-zip long sleeve shirts and even pants made with MeCo technology. Rab is also smart enough to slightly size up their mid-range apparel. For example the quarter zip, long sleeve shirt, is sized slightly larger than the tee shirt so that the quarter-zip can be worn comfortably as either a baselayer against the skin or on top of the tee shirt.

Sweat lines from hiking

The MeCo baselayers have a great stretch and do not hinder mobility at all. This makes them perfect for scrambling, climbing or any other activity where flexibility is important. They are also great at wicking and managing sweat so the wearer does not become overwhelmed by it in high output activity. The drying time on the MeCo baselayers should not be underestimated. I used them snowshoeing/hiking in the Wasatch Mountains. I was exerting so hard I had sweat dripping off my face yet I was perfectly comfortable in the long sleeve MeCo shirt. It was not drenched in sweat at all which was great for me as I moved into a higher, more exposed elevation and the wind picked up. Normally under these circumstances, with a drenched shirt, I would have been immediately chilled to the bone.

Rab thermal pants

Rab glissading at Mt. Shasta

The Rab MeCo baselayers are very comfortable to wear. They have a flat lock low bulk seam so users don’t feel it while wearing it against the skin. After wearing both the tee shirt and the mock zip for seven days in a row I did not have any built-up of funky smells. The use was primarily underneath a dry suit, and while the water was cold, it was still quite warm out of the water so I did sweat quite a bit. I also worked up a sweat loading and unloading the boats from buses. I’ve worn the Long Sleeve shirt and the pants for over four straight days of high output scrambling in the desert southwest where I had to twist, turn and climb just to make forward progress. Not only were the MeCo baselayers successful in keeping the aroma down they also moved with me and did not hinder movement in any direction. The hiking pants I was wearing at the time actually blew out the seam in the back. I was grateful to have the MeCo pants on as they survived not only the terrain but allowed me to keep some modesty for the rest of the trip as well as on ride home. Another thing I love about the MeCo pants is that they do not have stitching in the front that makes them look like underwear. This makes me feel much more comfortable wearing them without feeling like I have to have a layer over them. The MeCo pants also proved to be the perfect fit for the Mt Shasta Wilderness.  Starting the hike at 2:30am the pants were my base layer going up which I was thankful for considering the cold temperatures.  I was also happy to be wearing them while glissading down off the mountain.

Desert hiking with Rab T-shirt

In Canyonlands with Rab

The MeCo baselayers are the real deal and rival, if not surpass anything currently on the market in regards to comfort, quality and performance. They feel nice against the skin and allow me maximum mobility. They offer optimum flexibility without ripping or tearing. They set the standard for quick drying time and manage to keep odor down even after wearing them for multiple straight days. They’ve survived months of use and while they look worn they do not have any holes, loose threads or any other damage I can see. I definitely see myself purchasing more of MeCo line as soon as they hit shelves.

Polartec Power Dry

Another of Rab’s upcoming layers is the Polartec Power Dry. The Power Dry works great as a heavy baselayer on cold days but also makes a fabulous lightweight fleece mid-layer when the mercury isn’t quite so low. The Power Dry interior consists of a grid pattern of fleece blocks which go against skin or baselayer. This grid system is designed to wick moisture away from the user and spread it out over a larger surface area where is dries faster. The Power Dry, like the MeCo line, is very stretchy and does not hinder movement. Also like the MeCo line is the minor size-up so that it fits comfortably over baselayers if used as a mid-layer.

Winter hiking with Polartec Power Dry

The Power Dry is a great addition to my outdoor wardrobe. In the desert southwest I used this as a mid layer around camp. I used it as a baselayer when I had to get up in the night to answer nature’s call. In the Wasatch Mountains I loved having the Power Dry when I hit an exposed ridge or summit. The wind would pick up slightly and donning the Power Dry proved to be enough to ward off the chill. When I head out snowboarding I find myself reaching for the Power Dry and use it as a baselayer on the slopes. This lightweight fleece is a good balance of lightweight, comfort and warmth.

Whitewater Rafting with Rab

Rab clearly did their homework before introducing their baselayers to the market. Rab’s MeCo and Power Dry baselayers will be great for those who enjoy outdoor adventures. They are comfortable, flexible, quick-drying and do a good job on odor control. I will be wearing these for a while to come and fully expect to purchase some more when they hit shelves this fall.