Two Great British Outdoor Brands
Berghaus and Rab are two of the UK's most respected homegrown outdoor brands — both rooted in northern England, both with decades of heritage in technical outdoor gear, and both genuinely trusted by hillwalkers, climbers, and adventurers across Britain. But they serve somewhat different audiences and excel in different areas.
This comparison will help you decide which brand deserves your money — or whether you need both.
Brand Backgrounds
Berghaus
Founded in 1966 in Newcastle upon Tyne, Berghaus has been making outdoor gear for over 50 years. They pioneered rucksack design in the UK and helped develop early waterproof jacket technology. Today, Berghaus spans a wide range from entry-level casual outdoor wear to technical mountain kit, making them one of the most accessible British outdoor brands.
Rab
Founded in 1981 in Sheffield by climber Rab Carrington, Rab built its reputation on high-performance down insulation and technical climbing gear. The brand has always sat at the more specialist, technical end of the market — gear designed for alpinism, mountaineering, and serious adventure rather than leisure walking.
Head-to-Head: Key Categories
| Category | Berghaus | Rab |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproof Jackets | Strong, broad range, good value entry-level | Technical excellence, better for high-mountain use |
| Down Insulation | Good quality, accessible pricing | Outstanding — a core strength of the brand |
| Fleece & Midlayers | Reliable, widely available | Fewer options, more specialised |
| Rucksacks | Heritage strength, excellent range | Limited compared to Berghaus |
| Base Layers | Decent, affordable | Very good technical baselayers |
| Price Range | Entry to premium | Mid to premium |
Waterproof Jackets
Berghaus offers some of the most reliable waterproof jackets in the UK market at accessible price points. The Paclite 2.0 and Deluge Pro are popular choices for hillwalkers, using their own Hydroshell membrane alongside GORE-TEX options at the higher end. The range is wide enough to serve beginners and experienced walkers alike.
Rab's waterproof jacket range is smaller but technically stronger. The Latok Alpine and Kinetic Alpine series are designed for demanding mountain environments and are favoured by climbers and winter walkers. Rab typically uses GORE-TEX Pro or their own Proflex fabric on technical pieces.
Winner: Rab for technical mountain use; Berghaus for everyday hillwalking and value.
Down Insulation
This is Rab's strongest suit. The Microlight Alpine jacket is widely considered one of the best packable down jackets available, using 750+ fill power hydrophobic down. Rab's attention to detail on baffling, construction, and fill quality is exceptional.
Berghaus offers good down jackets — the Nula series is well regarded — but Rab's depth of expertise in this category is hard to match.
Winner: Rab, clearly.
Rucksacks
Berghaus practically invented the modern external-frame rucksack and their packs remain among the best-designed for extended UK hillwalking. The Freeflow series offers excellent back ventilation and load distribution.
Rab's rucksack range is narrower and more focused on technical climbing packs.
Winner: Berghaus, by a significant margin.
Who Should Choose Berghaus?
- Walkers looking for a wide product range at various price points
- Those who want reliable performance without purely technical specs
- Buyers who value UK heritage and widespread availability (stocked in most outdoor retailers)
- Anyone needing a great rucksack
Who Should Choose Rab?
- Climbers, mountaineers, and technical alpinists
- Anyone prioritising the best possible down insulation
- Winter walkers and those tackling demanding routes
- Buyers who want specialist performance over broad range
Final Verdict
These two brands aren't really in direct competition — they complement each other. Berghaus excels in accessible, broad-market outdoor gear with genuine quality at multiple price points. Rab excels in technical performance, particularly insulation and demanding mountain conditions. Many serious UK outdoors people own pieces from both brands.