Rab Phantom Review: Featherweight Waterproofing
Even in a rain jacket landscape that seems to prioritize minimalism more and more every year, the Rab Phantom ($225) stands out. This 2.5-layer shell weighs a scant 4.1 ounces, making it the lightest fully waterproof jacket we’ve tested. But the Phantom is no gimmick: It’s protective enough to keep you dry during passing showers, practically disappears on your body, and is decently breathable. It’s also fragile and devoid of features, but the Phantom nails its directive to be as light and packable as possible.
Weather Protection
Comfort
Breathability
Weight & Packability
Durability
Sustainability
Waterproofing
2.5-layer Pertex Shield
Weight
4.1 oz.
Fabric
7D nylon
Vents
None
Packable
Yes (pocket)
Pros
Cons
Rab Phantom
For this season's top shells, see our guide to the Best Rain Jackets.
In its quest to achieve ultimate rain shell minimalism, the Rab Phantom is designed with 2.5-layer Pertex Shield material. That construction consists of a tissue-thin, 7-denier nylon face fabric bonded to the waterproof membrane, with a print (which adds a touch of durability) on the inside. While the build isn’t as impressive and reliable as the ones on (heavier) shells with 3-layer membranes and/or thicker face fabrics, it’s still plenty waterproof enough for the conditions the Phantom is made for.
On a two-week trip to England’s Lake District, I experienced those conditions firsthand. I was doing a lot of trail running and hiking, and—surprise, surprise—it rained on about 70 percent of my days in the area. The precipitation never lasted all day, and was usually in the form of showers lasting 15 to 20 minutes, but I was extremely glad to have the Rab Phantom on hand—it gave me just enough protection for the weather I encountered. On the day with the heaviest rain, I found myself on a ridgeline coming down out of the clouds; the rain was coming down sideways, and, though the Phantom’s face fabric wet out in about 20 minutes, I never got wet underneath.
If the forecast called for sustained precipitation, I would want a more heavy-duty shell. The Phantom lacks adjustable cuffs and a hem drawstring, but elastic in both of those areas does a decent job of keeping everything battened down. At least the hood has a drawstring for when things get really blustery. (In fact, the Phantom doubles as a great windshell that has more water resistance than your standard windbreaker.) For going fast-and-light—trail runs, speedy hikes, mountain bike rides—in unsettled weather, the Phantom is all I need.
Packability, not plushness, is the Phantom’s forte. But that adherence to minimalism makes this shell more comfortable than you might think, due to the very nature of being so light that it practically disappears when it’s on your body. When I was wearing it for extended periods on a windy, rainy run on the section of the Bob Graham Round in the Lake District, I was able to focus on the trail, not my attire. To be honest, I barely thought about this shell whenever I was wearing it—mostly, I was stoked to not be wet.
The Phantom’s fabric does have quite a bit of stretch, which adds a great deal of mobility and helps mitigate the jacket’s trim cut. Its thin fabric and printed backer do feel a bit clammy when it’s next to skin, but I’ll happily take that tradeoff for a fully waterproof shell that easily fits into my running belt. Again, I’ll posit that category-leading weight and packability are part of the comfort equation (everyone likes carrying less, right?), even when I’m not wearing the jacket.
I found the Phantom surprisingly breathable for a 2.5-layer shell. I was able to keep it on during some high-output climbs and not feel like I was wrapped in a plastic bag. Much of the credit for that goes to the super-thin face fabric, as the shell lacks pit zips in the name of saving weight. When conditions allowed, I dumped heat by unzipping the main zipper halfway; I resorted to that strategy on uphill pushes of more than around 1,500 feet, which is where I found myself pushing up against the Phantom’s limitations.
As with many of its traits, the Phantom’s breathability isn’t its reason for being. If you’re looking for a rain jacket you can wear for the majority of a wet trail run or while moving fast while backpacking, look for something more along the lines of the ultralight (but slightly heavier, at 6.3 oz.) Montbell Versalite, which brings 3-layer waterproofing and pit zips to the equation. As an emergency rain layer with enough breathability to get you to the next break in the clouds, the Phantom gets the job done.
If I could give the Rab Phantom a six out of five in this category, I would. It weighs a ridiculously light 4.1 ounces, making it the lightest fully waterproof rain shell on the market. Its next closest competitors, weight-wise, are the Versalite, the Outdoor Research Helium UL (5.7 oz.), and the Helly Hansen Odin Infinity Minimalist (7.6 oz.). The Phantom is a clear cut above all of those, though, and is truly the single best option if cutting ounces from your kit is the top priority.
This shell is also, obviously, incredibly packable. When folded away into a subtle compartment built into the hood, it squishes down to about the size of an avocado. That sizing is perfect for ultralight missions, trail runs, and mountain bike rides; I was able to easily stash it away in my 2-liter Raide running belt when I was traversing the Lakes District. For use as a true emergency waterproof layer in relatively dry climates, it doesn’t get better than this.
Here’s the Rab Phantom’s biggest drawback. This shell is constructed with 7-denier nylon face fabric, which is fantastic for weight savings but leaves a lot to be desired in the durability department. This is a fragile jacket, and I felt like it would easily rip if I bumped against sharp rocks or ran through thick bushes. If off-trail adventures and rock scrambles are frequently on your schedule, I’d take a more rugged shell on those outings.
Having said that, I’ve made sure to take good care of the Phantom so far, and I haven’t seen any wear and tear yet. The zipper works great, and overall, the materials and construction of the jacket feel worthy of its price point, even though it’s not a burly shell by design. I also have one tip: Don’t store the Phantom balled up in its stuff sack at home; I think the thin materials will last longer when it’s not always crumpled.
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Longevity
Choosing durable outdoor gear and keeping it in use for longer is one of the best ways to reduce environmental impact. Our proprietary longevity rating assesses factors like overall build quality, materials, fabric denier, component durability, and real-world performance. A green check indicates that we expect the product to be long-lasting relative to its peers, a yellow check mark indicates average longevity, and a red X indicates a product that may have a limited lifespan.
PFAS-Free DWR
Durable water-repellent (DWR) finishes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are used in outdoor gear for their strong resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product uses a PFAS-free DWR, while a red X means the DWR contains PFAS.
PFAS-Free Waterproof Membrane
The membranes used in waterproof products such as rain jackets, ski jackets, and shoes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are valued for their resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product’s waterproof membrane is PFAS-free, while a red X means it contains PFAS.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Repair Services
Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption, though programs vary widely. Some brands offer comprehensive repairs for a range of issues, while others provide limited or no repair support. A green check mark indicates a robust repair program, a yellow check mark indicates limited repair services, and a red X indicates the brand does not offer repair services.
Resale and/or Recycling Services
Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation longer and out of landfills, ranging from trade-in resale platforms that offer store credit to take-back initiatives that recycle products at the end of their usable life. A green check mark indicates a brand offers both resale and recycling programs, a yellow check mark indicates it offers one of the two, and a red X indicates it offers neither.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
Hood
The Phantom lacks pockets, as well as hem and cuff adjustments, but the hood is nicer than you might expect. It has a drawstring at the back to dial in the fit and elastic around the edges, and generally has a snug fit whether that’s tightened or not. I found that the hood kept out wind and rain, and that’s about all you can ask for with a shell this dedicated to minimalism.
Tester: 6’2”, 175 lb.; 41" chest, 32" waist
Size tested: Men’s large
I typically wear size large in rain shells, and the Phantom fits me just right. The sleeves are long enough to cover the backs of my hands, and the hem comes down over my running belt and hits around the middle of my bottom. The cut is relatively trim, which I prefer for running. Even so, I was able to comfortably fit a thin fleece underneath.
Outdoor Research Helium UL ($225): The Versatile Alternative
The Helium UL is another ultralight standout, and while it doesn't win the gram-counting game against the Phantom at 5.7 ounces, it makes up for it with meaningful upgrades. A thicker face fabric improves durability, a chest pocket adds storage the Phantom lacks, an adjustable hem improves coverage, and the less technical aesthetic crosses over better to everyday use. It packs a little larger and won't stuff into a pocket as easily, but for most non-runners who want a light emergency layer with a bit more versatility, the Helium UL is the stronger all-around choice. For more, read our review of the OR Helium UL.
Montbell Versalite ($285): Thru-Hiker Favorite
The Phantom impresses with its breathability, but for sustained trail use, the absence of pit zips is a real gap. The Montbell Versalite fills it, pairing a 3-layer build with pit zips at a still-trim 5.9 ounces. It's heavier than the Phantom and doesn't pack as small, but the distinction between the two is fairly clean: reach for the Phantom as a true emergency layer you pull on for short stretches when the skies open up, and pack the Versalite for a thru-hike or any outing where you'll be living in a shell for extended periods. To learn more, check out our Montbell Versalite review.
Even amongst its minimalist peers, the Phantom stands out. This is the lightest fully waterproof shell on the market, making it an ideal emergency companion for trail runs, mountain bike rides, hikes, and any other outing where you want the most packable protection possible. Predictably, features are nil, durability is low, and breathability is mediocre.
Weather Protection
Comfort
Breathability
Weight & Packability
Durability
Sustainability
The lightest of the light, OR Helium excels as an emergency layer when showers are in the forecast. The latest UL model is a leap forward in comfort and style, but it sacrifices breathability and will soak through in sustained precipitation.
Weather Protection
Comfort
Breathability
Weight & Packability
Durability
Sustainability
From Japan-based Montbell comes an impressive ultralight rain jacket that packs in a ton of features at a very low weight. The breathable shell and pit zips make it more suited to high-output hiking than most of the competition, but you’ll want to be careful with the painfully thin shell fabric.
Weather Protection
Comfort
Breathability
Weight & Packability
Durability
Sustainability
Is the Rab Phantom for You?
Every outdoor adventurer knows the value of a sound backup plan, and that’s basically what the Rab Phantom provides. It’s not made to counter torrential rain, but trail runners, mountain bikers, and fastpackers—basically, anyone who prizes low gear weight and minimalism—will be glad to have such a supremely light, packable guard against surprise storms. The Phantom’s ability to disappear into a pack or a running belt makes it a no-brainer to bring along on any day where you might encounter a brief rain shower—just make sure you treat its delicate construction with care.
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