The Rab Spark is marketed as multi-sport jacket and while this might appear to be a little out the left field for a cycling jacket review, bear with us. Made of super light Pertex Shield+ it is waterproof, sports a large helmet-friendly hood and two chest pockets so is a perfect companion to the open hill oriented mountain biker who wants more from his jacket than purely cycling.
Rab seem to have a talent for making very lightweight jackets without compromising on their protection, and the Spark is testament to that. With our large only tipping the scales at 322g, it is not only lightweight, but the superb and soft-feel Pertex Shield+ fabric stuffs away into our packs admirably.
Being designed as a multi-sport jacket rather than specifically for cycling it has little touches that make sure it is on our back far more than just on the bike. The helmet friendly hood has a stiffened peak and volume adjuster meaning it really is functional even without a helmet inside - not something other more cycle specific jackets can boast. It also has a retention tab to keep it under control when not in use - a big tick as lightweight hoods like this tend to inflate and annoy when riding otherwise.
Adjusters at the hem and cuffs allow for snugging up when things get stormy outside, but it is the collar that really shines for us. Nice and tall to seal out drafts it really is comforting to zip up and hide inside and, while it doesn't have a fleece lining, the fabric is soft enough to be comfortable without.
The two chest pockets complete a minimalist design we like very much indeed. It just delivers everything we would expect from a lightweight jacket, while absolutely exceeding expectations for coverage, sealing and comfort.
