Rab/Equip Great Outdoors S/S 2026 Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Great Outdoors S/S 2026 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Rab/equip
Interviewee: Jessica Burton, Rab Marketing Manager UK

What trends do you see currently shaping the outdoor industry?
The outdoor industry is constantly evolving. We’re pleased to see an increasing emphasis on sustainability topics, which we view as a great opportunity to foster industry collaboration and joint efforts. We’re also experiencing growing community engagement, along with increased cross-disciplinary use of outdoor gear in different environments. The demand for versatile technical outdoor gear and equipment continues to grow and we’re pleased we can respond to these trend with a strong technical range of performance products.

How is your brand responding to the increasing demand for sustainability and ethical production?
We’ve been implementing an ambitious CSR strategy across all business levels for many years now, reducing our impact wherever possible, driving industry-wide change that is based on collaboration, engaging our stakeholders and suppliers, and contributing through constantly increasing volunteering efforts. Our recently released Sustainability Report transparently outlines our priorities around Product, Partner, People, and Planet impact reduction, and we have set ambitious targets for the future.

What challenges are you seeing in the outdoor market today—retail, consumer behavior, or otherwise?
Global disruptions, the implications of climate change, and changing consumer patterns are significantly impacting our retail partners, our supply chain, and us as manufacturers. We believe success requires very close cooperation between all parties in the industry, and following our wholesale-led approach, we aim to work closely with our partners to best serve their needs.

How are the latest U.S. tariffs and customs regulations affecting your business strategy and supply chain?
We’re experiencing significant volatility and uncertainty in this area. Together with our highly experienced team in the US, we continuously monitor the global situation and adapt our processes accordingly to ensure we maintain a healthy business while supporting our retail partners in the best possible way.

About the Brand:

What is your brand’s core mission or philosophy, and how does it influence your product development?
Since our foundation in 1981 by mountaineer Rab Carrington, we’re proud to call ourselves “The Mountain People.” We create products that last and protect in harsh mountain environments, enabling the mountain people community to follow their passion. Today, we remain ceaseless in our commitment to Rab’s exacting standards, ingenuity, and pioneering spirit. We use cutting-edge materials as well as time-tested ones; nothing fancy or over-engineered, just honest, hard-working kit that you’d rather repair than replace. As mountain people ourselves, we’re passionate about the natural environment and witness the effects of climate change when we’re enjoying the outdoors. That’s why we’re on a journey to reduce the impact of our business and products, make them fairer for everyone, and preserve our mountain playground for future generations.

How has your brand evolved in the outdoor market over the last few years?
From a small brand deeply rooted in the Peak District community, Rab has evolved into a renowned brand that is globally available. We are proud to be among the industry leaders in driving sustainable business practices, and we continue to work hard to meet the expectations of the Mountain People community all over the world. We are committed to putting people at the heart of what we do. From our partners and athletes to our staff and everyone who has used and loved our gear, we are a global community that goes beyond mountains and crags, and it’s up to us to make sure it’s inclusive, diverse, and growing.

Who is your target customer today, and how has that profile changed over time?
‘The Mountain People’ is more than just our strapline. It encompasses our ethos and our history, reflecting not only our expertise on all things mountain-related, but also a sense of community, of bringing mountain people together over their shared values and love of the outdoors. We strongly believe that the mountains should be open to everyone and with our products, we would like to support everyone to reach their goals in the mountains.

Take us through your brand line in detail for SS26
For Spring/Summer 2026, we will present a complete update of our sleep system range, with new technical and versatile sleeping bags for all mountain environments. Furthermore, we keep expanding our range of technical packs, by adding a new line of highly breathable and ventilated packs. Our shell collection will be strengthened by adding some great new pieces, too.

Which item(s) do you expect to grow the most in SS26?
In the current Spring/Summer 2026 sell-in process, we are excited to see great demand for our completed Pack range as well as growth in our shell category featuring new Pertex pieces (The Phantom Mountain Jacket and Firewall Light Jacket) offering lightweight, ultra-packable waterproof protection. Our new sleeping bags have been really well received with new patented baffle construction technologies strengthening their position on the shop floor and also completing the sleep system offering with new sleep mats being added to the range. Introducing new fabric technology Dryflo in our first layer collection has provided a comprehensive first layer solution managing moisture, comfort and breathability. Dryflo Active – optimizes the balance of comfort and performance, quick dry, natural next-to-skin feel. Dryflo Air – designed for fast moving pursuits with rapid drying and odour control treatment. Dryflo Solar – keeps you shielded from harmful rays, UPF40+ rated, breathable and wicking to keep you cool.

Key Products:

Shell – Firewall Light:
This light, supple shell is perfect for any hiking or outdoor adventure in mixed conditions. Equipped with all the essential features, it expertly balances weight, protection, and next-to-skin comfort.

Key features:

User: Technical summer hiking.
Next-to-skin comfort – Essential for a summer shell, the soft touch knitted backer makes the Firewall Light Jacket comfortable to wear over just a tee.
Mountain-ready feature set – With a 2-point adjustable hood and articulated sleeves, providing essential freedom of movement.
Tried and tested performance – Powered by 20D Pertex® Shield 3-layer waterproof technology with a fluorocarbon-free DWR.
Weight – 368g / 12.9oz (men’s size M; 325g / 11.4oz (women’s size 10)

Firewall_Light_Jacket_TempestBlue

Sleeping bags – Ascent bag:

Recharge at camp with this roomy bag, built to accommodate a variety of sleeping positions and provide exceptional comfort.
User: Designed to deliver exceptional camp comfort across all seasons.

Key features:

Lightweight Offset Funnel Technology – Introducing our new L.O.F.T™ baffle technology, to help maximise warmth when you need it most.
Designed for comfort – Wide body, roomy footbox, and wraparound side baffles accommodate a variety of sleeping positions.
Delivers exceptional quality – From the moment they’re hand-filled with Grangers Down Defend®hydrophobic 650FP duck down, our bags are never compressed, delivered to the end user at the highest quality possible.
Weight – 1200g/2lb 10.33oz

Ascent Sleeping Bag

Dryflo Solar – Force Hoody:

Ideal for cool mornings or covering up under a hot sun, this lightweight active hoody is built with UV-protective Dryflo™ Solar fabric to shield you from harmful rays. With a comfortable, regular fit to accommodate layers underneath when you need it.

Features

Dryflo™ Solar delivers UPF 40 sun protection
Wicking with odour control treatment
Close-fitting hood with high collar for good sun protection
Overlocked low-profile seams for next-to-skin comfort
Hidden stretch thumb loops

Syclon XP:

A technical ventilated pack for light weight missions in the mountain featuring new AEROFIT back system.

Key features:

User: Moving fast in the mountains, hut to hut, TMB.
Protection – Keep kit dry with this IPX4 rated pack, with fully taped seams and
durable Spectra® fabrics.
Comfortable from the first step to the final mile – A super lightweight body hugging, mesh runs from the back panel through to the hip belt for seamless comfort and superb weight distribution.
Modern design – New aesthetics and design language.
A unique proposition – One of the only fully waterproof, air ventilated packs under
1kg on the market.
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