Patagonia R1 Air Hoody vs Rab Alpha Flash
Weight and specs compared for 2026 — and which one to choose.
Polartec Power Air fleece midlayer with excellent breathability and moisture management. A reliable active hiking layer for cool conditions.
Lightweight fleece jacket using Polartec Alpha Direct fabric. Breathable and packable mid-layer for expeditions with minimalist weight philosophy.
Building a pack? Add either one to your HikeLoad list, or drop its weight into the base weight calculator, and see what it does to your total weight.
HikeLoad is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Patagonia R1 Air Hoody vs Rab Alpha Flash: which should you buy?
If saving weight is your priority, the Rab Alpha Flash wins — at 255 g it is 51 g (17%) lighter than the Patagonia R1 Air Hoody (306 g). That said, the heavier option may justify the extra grams with more capacity, durability or comfort, so weigh the trade-off against how you'll use it.
See where both rank against everything else in this category on the lightest clothing - mid layer page, or browse the full gear weight database.