Rab Cinder Phantom Waterproof Jacket Review

Ultralight rain jackets usually come with a compromise—you save ounces but lose something essential, like comfort or actual weather protection. The Rab Cinder Phantom felt almost too light at first, like I was holding a handful of nothing. But after wearing it in everything from monsoon-like downpours to alpine windstorms in the Colorado Rockies, I’m convinced it’s one of the best ultralight shells I’ve ever tested. Over the past three months, this jacket has joined me on an overnight bikepacking trip in Utah, dozens of mountain bike rides in Colorado, multiple backpacking trips, and one soaking-wet fly-fishing mission. Built for mountain biking, this jacket has been more versatile and protective than expected. Read on for my thoughts on the Rab Cinder Phantom Jacket. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best women’s rain jackets.
 

Table of Contents

• Weather Protection
• Breathability
• Comfort
• Weight and Packability
• Build Quality and Durability
• Features: Hood and Pockets
• Fit and Sizing
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Weather Protection

When I first pulled the Rab Cinder Phantom out of the package, I questioned whether it would do much to block rain with its paper-thin fabric. But it quickly proved me wrong. During a recent Colorado fly fishing trip, I stood knee-deep in a river while a pounding rainstorm dumped so hard that water was bouncing off the river’s surface and splashing back onto my jacket. It was absolutely comical, but it made for the best testing experience. Even while soaking from above and below, everything inside my jacket (and waders) stayed dry. That was a defining moment for me in terms of trust in this shell. It holds up to real storms, and I was “lucky” enough to catch one in real-life testing. The secret is the Pertex Shield, which is a waterproof-breathable laminate bonded to the nylon fabric. While Pertex doesn’t have the same brand recognition as Gore-Tex, it performed just as well in my testing.
 

Another standout moment occurred while hiking through the Holy Cross Wilderness in search of wildflowers. We were above treeline when a storm rolled in, bringing gusty 20-mile-per-hour winds and light rain. I pulled on the Cinder Phantom, and it immediately cut the wind chill and kept me dry, even as the wind gusted. The longer hemline, which I initially thought was designed solely for biking, turned out to be incredibly functional for hiking too. It kept my backside covered whether I was standing still or walking with a backpack. The added coverage meant my pack didn’t ride the jacket up like with shorter shells. The tiny visor on the hood did a surprisingly good job of keeping water out of my eyes, and the side elastic held it snugly to my head even in high winds.
 

Breathability

Breathability is where this jacket has its limits, though I’d argue it performs about as well as any other ultralight rain jacket. Rab opted to make the Cinder Phantom with a 2.5-layer rather than a 3-layer construction. This means the jacket has a thin coating or print on the inside of the outer layer, rather than a full liner like a 3-layer jacket, such as the Patagonia Storm Racer. This does a great job of keeping weight and bulk down, but the tradeoff is less breathability. While hiking a 1,000-foot climb near Aspen, Colorado, the Cinder Phantom stayed comfortable in the low 50s°F, but as temperatures started climbing or the effort increased, things got steamy. There are no pit zips or any way to dump heat—another tradeoff for slashing ounces. That said, I’ve never found a truly waterproof jacket that doesn’t eventually get swampy, so I’ve accepted that a little sweat is the price of admission. The Cinder Phantom is more breathable than other options I’ve tried, but you can still expect some clamminess.
 

Comfort

Comfort is a pleasant surprise here. Most ultralight rain jackets feel like plastic wrap with a side of crinkly abrasion. The Cinder Phantom is still lightweight and minimalist, but it doesn’t feel like I’m wearing a garbage bag. I’ve worn it directly over tank tops and t-shirts more times than I can count and have never experienced irritation, chafing, or that gross feeling when it gets stuck to your arm. 
 

I threw the Cinder over a tank top when the sky opened up during a rainy mountain bike ride, and despite the moisture and motion, it didn’t rub or annoy me. Yes, it has a slight crinkle to it (what rain jacket doesn’t?), but it’s far softer and quieter than some of its competitors. Even while hiking or biking up a mountain, you won’t have to worry about that ear-grating crackling sound that comes from a hard fabric.

Weight and Packability

This is another area where the Cinder Phantom shines. This jacket weighs just 3.5 ounces for the women’s size 10, on par with that Clif bar you stashed in your pack. I can literally roll it into a ball the size of my fist and cram it anywhere. I’ve stuffed it into the pocket of my mountain-bike pack hip belt, wedged it into a side pocket on my running vest, and even rolled it up into one of the larger side pockets of my running shorts. 
 

That convenience has made this my most-used jacket of the summer because there’s no reason not to bring it. It adds almost zero weight or bulk, so I find myself grabbing it on days when there’s no chance of showers (Colorado weather often lies) or when I want something to block wind at higher elevations. The ease of always having it on hand is what makes it so versatile.

Build Quality and Durability

I’ve only had the Cinder Phantom for a few months, but it has been through more than most gear I’ve tested this season. I’ve used it for multiple backpacking trips, over two dozen mountain bike rides, dozens of day hikes, and a handful of fly-fishing adventures. It’s been jammed into every kind of pack imaginable and worn in all kinds of conditions. Despite this, I haven’t seen a single snag, loose thread, or tear. When I pack it into tight storage, such as a loaded backpack or my hip belt pack, it does come out a little wrinkly-looking. But those creases disappear within minutes of wearing it, so it’s not something I stress about. 

That said, this jacket has a 7-denier fabric, which makes it impressively light, but not the most rugged option in your kit. I did wear it on a recent off-route adventure involving bushwhacking, and we both escaped unscathed, but I winced every time a poky branch made contact. Still, I haven’t seen any damage, so I have no complaints. 
 

Features: Back Hem, Cuffs, Hood

Designed specifically for biking, the longer back hem measures around 28 inches in length, which hits mid-butt on me at 5’5”. In testing, this was long enough to keep rain or mud off my backside but not so long that I felt like I was wearing an awkward dress. It also has a silicone band along the edge, which helps keep it in place. This was a huge win when bent over the handlebars, but even more so while hiking with a backpack. No matter how much I wiggled, the jacket didn’t get bunched up beneath my pack. 

Another detail I’ve come to appreciate on the Cinder Phantom is the extended sleeves. The cuffs have elastic only on the underside, which keeps the wrist tight without squeezing. Meanwhile, the upper portion extends out over the back of my hands, which is something I really appreciated while biking and hiking, since it offers more coverage. As someone with naturally longer arms, it is such a boon to be able to put my arm above my head without water trickling down my wrist.
 

The hood is sneaky. It doesn’t look like much at first glance, but it packs a big punch. While it doesn’t fit over a bike helmet (it’s designed to fit beneath), it’s fitted enough to stay in place during storms without needing constant adjustment, thanks to the small elastic panels on each side of the face. The tiny visor also does a great job of deflecting rain from your face when in motion. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about having a hood on my jacket while biking—too much flapping!—but it’s easy enough to roll away when you don’t need it. The hood also serves a dual purpose; the entire jacket rolls up inside to make storage a breeze.
 

Fit and Sizing

The fit overall is just right. I’m 5’5” and 145 pounds, and the women's medium was roomy enough to layer over a t-shirt or long-sleeve shirt. During a recent day hike, I struggled to regain body heat after an ill-advised cold plunge at 12,000 feet, so I layered up with the Rab Mythic Alpine Light Jacket and the Cinder Phantom over top. The puffy's longer hem did peek out from underneath, but the shell didn’t feel restrictive and offered plenty of coverage. I’d call the fit spot-on: true to size with enough versatility for different layers underneath.
 

Sustainability

Rab continues to push ahead on sustainability within the outdoor industry. The Cinder Phantom uses a 100% recycled face fabric and a total of 54% recycled fabric content overall, including 36% recycled zippers and 5% recycled trims. Rab also skips harmful chemicals like PFAS and uses a fluorocarbon-free DWR. The company has been Climate Neutral certified since 2020 and is aiming for net-zero operations by 2030. One standout initiative is Rab’s “Material Facts” label, a transparency tag that breaks down an item’s environmental footprint. In the case of the Cinder Phantom, 44% of the jacket’s total content is recycled. It's not perfect (the membrane and backer fabric still rely on virgin materials ), but it’s a notable step forward in transparency and accountability. 
 

Other Versions of the Rab Cinder Phantom

I tested the Women's Cinder Phantom Waterproof Jacket, and it also comes in a men’s version, with identical features, materials, and design. The men’s jacket weighs just 3.5 ounces as well, and includes the same extended cuffs and long drop hem for added coverage while riding or hiking. If you’re looking for more protection or durability within the Cinder lineup, Rab offers the Cinder Downpour Biking Jacket, which uses a 2.5-layer Pertex Revolve fabric and features additional benefits such as pit zips and hand pockets. The Downpour weighs 6.3 ounces for the men's (5.0 ounces for the women's), so you do pay a weight penalty. At the high end, the Cinder Kinetic Biking Jacket combines waterproof protection with stretch and breathability, thanks to Rab’s Proflex fabric, making it a better choice for sustained rain in cooler temperatures or long, high-output rides where mobility and ventilation are key.
 

What We Like

• So light I can smash it in my shorts pocket without really noticing.
• Insanely packable; you can fit this jacket nearly anywhere, and that’s not hyperbole.
• Excellent waterproofing and wind resistance for such a low weight.
• Nice-to-have features like extended cuffs and a longer back hem are useful, regardless of the activity.

What We Don’t

• Limited breathability with no ventilation options to dump heat.
• The 7-denier fabric cuts weight, but also durability.
• Minimalist design means you won’t find any storage pockets anywhere.
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

The Rab Cinder Phantom has one of the best combinations of weight savings, comfort, and protection that we've tested. But you do sacrifice breathability with such a minimalist design, and the 7D material also sacrifices some durability. Mountain bikers hitting the trail in inclement weather might prefer the Outdoor Research Freewheel MTB Stretch. This beefed-up jacket features more bike-specific elements, including venting and helmet compatibility, and is designed for cooler weather and rougher terrain. It’s also heavier at 9.9 ounces and bulkier to carry, so we recommend it for rides where you'll be wearing it the majority of the time.
 

Another option is the Enlightened Equipment Visp, a minimalist, unisex shell that weighs 5.6 ounces and includes pit zips for venting. The Visp is a favorite among thru-hikers and is a reasonable opponent to the Cinder Phantom, though it isn't designed for mountain biking and will have a more conforming fit better suited for on-foot pursuits. Lastly, Strafe's incredibly light and packable Pertex Shield Scout impressed us this year with its similar combination of weight savings, mobility, and minimal feature set, for around the same price as the Rab. You get a few extra features with the Strafe, including a zippered chest pocket and openings at the armpits for venting, but the material is "stickier" next to skin than the Rab. A final decision will ultimately come down to personal preference between the two similarly built jackets.
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