Last week, three members of our team - Elliot, Emma and Amelie - headed up to the Cairngorms for a week with Rab. Based out of Glenmore Lodge, it was a mix of mountain days, technical sessions and a proper opportunity to put the kit through its paces in the kind of conditions it’s built for.
After arriving and settling in, the week kicked off with a Rab film night - a chance to hear from the brand, get a better understanding of the kit and meet some of the people behind it. That momentum carried straight into the next morning, with a spontaneous sunrise run up Cairn Gorm. Clear skies, patches of snow and wide-open views made for a pretty unforgettable start - and a first chance to test jackets and running vests out on the hill.
Back at the lodge, things shifted into a more technical focus, with sessions diving into PERTEX® and the thinking behind the fabrics. That didn’t stop the movement though - a lunchtime trail run down to Lochain Uaine in warm conditions, followed by an evening dry tooling session alongside GB athlete Caitlin Connor and pro mixed climber Greg Boswell.
Day three brought a real change in conditions. Heading into Coire an t-Sneachda early, the team were met with relentless rain and hail - the kind of weather that quickly shows what your kit is made of. Despite it all, everything held up, keeping them dry and moving. Time on the hill was also spent building mountain skills, practising with ice axes on lingering patches of snow.
By day four, the weather had lifted slightly, with glimpses of sun breaking through. Taking on the Fiacaill Coire an t-Sneachda ridge meant more technical ground and exposed sections, but also a real sense of progression. There were a few lighter moments too - sliding down snowy patches where possible and regular stops for Reversy Percy sweets (an elite treat) along the way.
The week wrapped up back at the lodge with good food, good company and a pub quiz to finish things off.
A proper mix of weather, terrain and learning - and a chance to see how the kit performs when it really matters.
Shoutout to Rab for an unforgettable week!
