Rab introduces new AW27 expedition collection

British outdoor brand Rab (owned by Equip Outdoor Technologies Ltd.) introduces its new autumn/winter 2027 collection, “Altitude” – an insulation system for extreme environments developed specifically for modern high-altitude mountaineering. At the heart of the collection is Rab’s first high-altitude suit designed specifically for women.

The collection was developed in collaboration with Rab athletes and tested in the cold chambers at the University of Nottingham. It combines cutting-edge materials science, advanced insulation construction and athlete-informed design to deliver the best possible performance in the world’s most demanding mountain regions.

The expedition system serves as a research and development platform for Rab: technologies are tested here under extreme conditions before being incorporated into other products across the range.

The comprehensive development process brings together Rab’s insulation expertise, athlete feedback, laboratory testing and real-world validation on expeditions. The resulting “8000 System” – comprising the 8000 Suit, 8000 Hoody and 8000 Bib for women and men – combines 900-fill-power (900FP) European goose down, body-mapped PrimaLoft® Gold Cross Core®, Thermo Ionic Lining Technology (TILT) and Rab’s patented, award-winning L.O.F.T 3D™ construction.

The new 8000 System tackles one of the greatest challenges in developing high-altitude equipment: reducing bulk without sacrificing warmth and protection. The result enables a more consistent body temperature that requires less energy to maintain. Expedition-specific features include well-considered storage solutions and easy access to equipment – even when wearing a backpack or combining the garments with a personalised layering system. These are complemented by cuffs with watch openings, a practical drop-seat function, dedicated zip protection and a variety of ventilation options.

Rab’s first 8000 Suit for women marks a genuine step forward in equipment for female high-altitude mountaineers. With a women-specific fit, tailored insulation distribution and features designed precisely around their needs, it offers uncompromising warmth, protection and performance.

One of the most significant developments for autumn/winter 2027 is the first application of Rab’s patented L.O.F.T 3D™ technology – previously exclusive to its technical sleeping bags – to apparel. L.O.F.T 3D™ combines trapezoidal baffles with a unique, spirally twisted structure. This creates natural fixation points that hold the down in place without additional stitching. By minimising down migration, the construction reduces cold spots while enabling exceptional loft with less down – increasing thermal efficiency without adding weight or bulk.

For AW27, this technology forms part of the 8000 System’s insulation architecture and also enters the Mythic product family. This demonstrates how innovations originally developed for the highest mountains can be adapted into equipment for a broader range of demanding technical pursuits.

Insights gained from developing equipment for extreme altitudes have fed directly into the new lightweight insulation collection for autumn/winter 2027 – proof that anything that works at 8,000 metres can also deliver significant improvements in other applications.

The new Mythic Ultra Hoody, made from 100% recycled Pertex® Quantum NetPlus®, integrates L.O.F.T 3D™ technology into an alpine down jacket. The hoody delivers even greater warmth than its award-winning predecessor while using the same amount of 900-fill-power goose down treated with Grangers Down Defend®. This increases thermal efficiency without increasing fill weight.

The Mythic G Hoody takes a different approach. Featuring 100% recycled Pertex® Quantum NetPlus®, 1000-fill-power (1000FP) down and a highly advanced construction, this jacket delivers exceptional warmth at minimal weight. This makes it ideal for fast, technical pursuits in extreme cold. With integrated TILT (Thermo Ionic Lining Technology), it incorporates insights from expedition equipment into a lightweight, highly packable insulated garment developed specifically for fast, weight-conscious mountain trips.

The technology transfer extends beyond down products. The completely redesigned and expanded Generator synthetic insulation family combines PrimaLoft® Gold Cross Core® with Pertex® Quantum Pro and Diamond Fuse technology. Material innovations also used in the Altitude system thus feed into synthetically insulated garments designed for exposed belays and demanding climbing conditions, ideal for climbers, mountaineers and professionals working in winter.

Rab’s Product Director comments: “The Altitude collection represents the most extreme conditions we can expose our products to – and that is precisely why it is so important to us. When developing equipment for an altitude of 8,000 metres, every gram, every baffle and every material choice is scrutinised with the utmost care. Yet the insights gained are not confined to the highest summits. They feed into all our products and improve our entire range. That is where the real value of the Altitude programme lies.”

Rab’s autumn/winter 2027 collection will be available from September 2027.