Making a virtue out of necessityThroughout the 1970s, Rab Carrington was a key figure in the world of climbing and mountaineering. He spent much of this time on groundbreaking expeditions across the globe, graduating from winter climbing in his native Scotland to first ascents in the Alps, Andes and the Himalayas. The original seed of an idea for Rab® was started when Rab Carrington found himself stuck in Buenos Aires en route to Patagonia in 1973. His expedition was postponed by a dock strike in the UK which delayed his equipment. He turned instead to working for a friend, sewing sleeping bags for the Argentinian Army. He didn’t realise it then, but he was learning the skills with which he would redefine the future of technical mountain clothing and equipment.

By climbers, for climbers, for the most extreme conditions in the world
Rab Carrington built his company on two things: A deep understanding of what climbers and mountaineers need, and a commitment to practical gear that works. It’s this down to earth, honest approach that still informs the design and testing process linking us firmly to that modest beginning in 1980’s Sheffield. Those same qualities of innovation, integrity and function have endured, remaining at the heart of the Rab® brand today. The philosophy today is the same as it was back when Rab Carrington started the brand – by climbers, for climbers, for the most extreme conditions in the world.