Rab Nebula Pro Insulated Jacket Review

The Rab Nebula Pro is an insulated winter jacket meant for the cold days when winter tries to keep you inside. This jacket is filled with 279 grams of PrimaLoft® Silver RISE 100% recycled synthetic insulation and combined with a 30D Recycled Pertex® Quantum Pro outer and 20D Recycled Pertex® Quantum lining. The adjustable hem, hood, and cuffs keep the wind out, and the inner chest pocket, zippered hand pockets, and internal stow pocket provide necessary storage.

Performance Comparison

Warmth

The Rab Nebula Pro is the warmest of Rab's synthetic insulated jackets and proved itself when temperatures plummeted to -10 for us. Primaloft Silver RISE insulation is found throughout the jacket to retain body heat in the coldest conditions, and even the hood is insulated for an added layer of warmth. A long hem in the back covers your rear from exposure to the elements with dual rear hem adjustments that are mitten-friendly, so no cold hands when cinching up the bottom. We have always found the Rab jackets to have a longer sleeve length, which protects the arms when extended, and the elastic cuffs with hook and loop closure offer additional protection from heat loss.

The Nebula Pro can be zipped up to the nose to provide wind protection for the face and neck. The helmet-compatible hood has dual face adjustments, a stiffened peak, and a hook and loop adjustment on the back for volume control. The two zippered hand pockets place the insulation on the outside of the hands to maintain warmth and keep the hands closer to the torso. This is a nice change from other brands that place the insulation on the palm side, and the hands only have thin material for protection. The Nebula Pro has a regular to athletic fit and moves well during activities thanks to the recycled Pertex Quantum Pro material, which is very flexible and soft. This material allows for restriction-free layering with a mid-layer underneath or a Gore-Tex shell overtop when you need that additional layer of protection.

Comfort

Rab has some of the most comfortable insulated jackets we have tested, and the Nebula Pro continues this trend. The synthetic insulation provides a slight puff to the jacket without being awkward, and the inner Pertex lining is like a soft caress on exposed skin; it's seriously enjoyable. The insulated hood uses the same soft inner fabric with a soft fleece-lined chin guard area for added comfort. The hem has dual rear cinch adjustments that are glove-compatible for quick adjustments on the go, making it simple to raise or lower the waist for activities and ventilation. The front of the jacket has an insulated zipper baffle to prevent heat loss at the zipper combined with a 2-way YKK zipper that allows for easy access for a harness or simple ventilation when things get too hot.

The cuffs on the Nebula Pro feature a half-elastic gusset combined with a hook and loop closure to tighten up for wind control or when using gloves. During testing, we find many insulated jackets with a partial athletic fit tend to have some restrictions in the armpits and shoulder areas that cause binding. The Nebula Pro has articulated sleeves that provide unrestricted movement, and we had no issues during various activities. With smooth seams and light material, the fit and feel of the Nebula Pro made it a quick favorite for regular use throughout winter.

Weather Resistance

With temperatures far below freezing, the 30D Recycled Pertex Quantum Pro outer and 20D inner lining prevented strong winds from penetrating the jacket and chilling us to the core. Zippers can be a weak spot on many jackets, but Rab uses an insulated baffle on the main zipper and overhang material on the pockets for an additional layer of protection. As mentioned previously, the hem, cuff, and hood are all adjustable for added protection, and the hood contains a stiffened peak to keep the sun and moisture out of your eyes.

Should Mother Nature decide to make things wet, the outer fabric does have a fluorocarbon-free DWR treatment. We found the water-repellant treatment helps to bead light precipitation and prevent water from soaking in, but with heavier exposure, water eventually made its way through to the insulation. The main zipper and pockets remained dry during the soaking, so contents would have been protected. We noticed some leakage at the seam of the armpits and where the hood attached to the jacket, again with heavy water exposure. If you do encounter heavy precipitation, a benefit of synthetic insulation is the ability to maintain warmth even when wet. Despite not being as protective from heavier rain (which we don't encounter much with freezing temps), we were overall very pleased with how the Nebula Pro protected from the wind and cold.

Portability

The Nebula Pro we tested in men's medium weighed in at 21.2 ounces. The Rab was on the heavier side of the jackets we tested, but it also contains significantly more insulation than the other jackets and has a lot of nice features for the weight.

The Nebula Pro is also one of the few jackets that have an integrated storage pocket and an attachment loop for your harness or pack. The flexible fabric and insulation pack down easily, and it isn't a chore to get it inside the storage pocket like some other models. This is a convenient feature if you might encounter large temperature swings throughout the day or want to be prepared for the worst. Since the jacket feels so light, you can also hang it from your gear or just stuff it into a pack easily enough.

Breathability

The Rab Nebula Pro is meant to provide warmth and protection for many endeavors, including climbing, hiking, and mountaineering. This jacket has good breathability, but since it is so warm, we found ourselves perspiring at times and some dampness in the armpits. If you plan on exerting yourself, you may need to pull up the sleeves or open the zipper for a little fresh air. When things are really cold, though, you can keep this layer on without getting sweaty.

The Nebula Pro is made with convenient features that help maintain a comfortable temperature with use. The dual front zipper allows you to open the top and bottom for additional ventilation and adjust it to your specific needs. The lower hem has two adjustment points that can be raised to expose more surface area, and the sleeves have enough stretch to be pushed up without becoming tight and restrictive. The insulation of the jacket is evenly dispersed, so if you decide to unzip it completely, it doesn't pull off the shoulders with activity. Knowing this insulated jacket is made for the colder temperatures, we didn't expect it to be something we would go running in, but we found it had good breathability for the amount of protection it provides.

Should You Buy the Rab Nebula Pro?

The Rab Nebula Pro is one of the most comfortable and warm synthetic insulated jackets we have tested and was frequently used in the cold winter months. This jacket provides a lot of great features to keep you protected from the elements and seals in the heat when things get bitter cold. We found it to be useful as a stand-alone layer, mid-layer, or outer layer, depending on the activities and weather we encountered. Even though it resists and repels light moisture, if you need something waterproof, this is not the jacket of choice. The Nebula Pro is a top performer when you need to stay warm and combines soft and flexible materials with features like a 2-way zipper, multiple storage pockets, adjustable hood, hem, and sleeves, and wind resistance that turned this jacket into a quick favorite.

What Other Insulated Jackets Should You Consider?

The Rab Nebula Pro is one of the warmest insulated jackets we've tested. It's a great stand-alone piece and can be used in a layering system for extreme weather. Though it protects from the wind and bitter cold, it is not ideal for milder temps or real wet conditions. The Patagonia DAS Light Hoody is a great option if you need a waterproof insulated jacket with a little less warmth to keep you comfortable when outdoors. If you want an all-around winner that provides warmth and protection on a budget, the REI Co-op Trailmade Insulated Hoodie is another favorite we frequently use in the winter months.