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Rab Neutrino Pro Review

A warm, comfortable, and lightweight down parka that is ideal for winter hiking and outdoor activities
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Rab Neutrino Pro Review (The Rab Neutrino Pro is a warm and comfortable parka that is perfect for both cold days around town and outdoor winter...)
The Rab Neutrino Pro is a warm and comfortable parka that is perfect for both cold days around town and outdoor winter activities.
Credit: Sam Willits
Price:  $400 List
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Manufacturer:   Rab Equipment
By Jeff Dobronyi ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Sep 27, 2023
71
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#7 of 16
  • Warmth - 30% 7.0
  • Weather Resistance - 25% 6.0
  • Comfort - 25% 9.0
  • Versatility and Style - 10% 7.0
  • Construction Quality - 10% 5.0

Our Verdict

The Rab Neutrino Pro is a warm, weather-resistant, and comfortable cold-weather parka that can be worn in a wide variety of situations, making it our favorite for winter hiking and outdoor recreation. It features tons of high-quality down insulation packed into a lightweight package, with a thin shell fabric that can stand up to snow or light rain. The sleeves, hem, and hood are all designed with winter weather in mind, and the inner lining is very soft against the skin. The jacket is also highly compressible, making it an excellent option for users who spend time outdoors in the winters or who want to stash their jacket away when they aren't wearing it. Still, every jacket has its downsides. The shell fabric isn't the most durable, and there are only three pockets to work with. Otherwise, we think this would make a great addition to any jacket collection. See how it fares against its rivals in our best men's winter jacket review.
REASONS TO BUY
Warm
Lightweight
Comfortable
REASONS TO AVOID
Not that durable
Minimal features
Editor's Note: We updated this review on February 28, 2024, to update our metrics and to share new recommendations on other jackets worth your consideration.

Compare to Similar Products

 
rab neutrino pro
This Product
Rab Neutrino Pro
Awards Top Pick Award
Best for Active Winter Recreation
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Winter Jacket for Men
 Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
Best Buy Award
Best for Tight Budgets
Price $375.00 at Backcountry
Compare at 3 sellers
$499.95 at Backcountry
Compare at 3 sellers
$400 List
$349.95 at Backcountry
$229.73 at REI
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$69 List
$62.10 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line This warm down parka is great for cold winter climates, in the city or in the hillsA cold weather parka that can meet nearly any winter climate head-onExtreme cold weather protection with a relatively affordable price tagWith long-lasting down insulation, cozy construction, and a value price, the Fordham is a competitive all-around contenderAn affordable jacket that performs well enough and offers a surprising array of features
Rating Categories Rab Neutrino Pro Fjallraven Nuuk Parka The North Face McMu... Marmot Fordham Wantdo Waterproof Snow
Warmth (30%)
7.0
9.0
9.0
7.5
5.0
Weather Resistance (25%)
6.0
8.0
7.5
7.5
7.0
Comfort (25%)
9.0
8.0
7.0
8.0
6.5
Versatility and Style (10%)
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
6.5
Construction Quality (10%)
5.0
9.5
8.0
8.0
6.0
Specs Rab Neutrino Pro Fjallraven Nuuk Parka The North Face McMu... Marmot Fordham Wantdo Waterproof Snow
Shell Fabric Pertex Quantum Polyamide DryVent 2L 100% recycled nylon NanoPro (100% post-consumer recycled polyester) 100% polyester
Insulation and Fill Power 800-fill goose down with Nikwax fluorocarbon-free hydrophobic finish 100% recycled polyester 600-fill down 700-fill down treated with Down Defender Synthetic
Measured Interior Temperature 74.2 °F 80.2 °F 79 °F 78.6 °F 72.6 °F
Fill Weight 212 grams 250 grams/ sq meter Not specified Not specified Not specified
Removable Hood No No No Yes Yes
Hood Adjustments 2 side drawcords, 1 rear velcro tab 2 side drawcords, 1 rear velcro tab 2 side drawcords, 1 rear drawcord 2 side drawcords 2 side drawcords
Pockets 2 zippered waist, 1 internal media 2 zippered breast pockets; 2 buttoned breast pockets; 2 top-loading bellow pockets; 2 fleece-lined handwarmer pockets; 1 media pocket on sleeve, 2 internal zippered chest pockets, 2 internal button-closure stash pockets, 2 internal mesh stash drop-in pockets. 2 zippered chest, 2 top-entry Velcro flap, 2 zippers side-entry waist, 1 zippered interior media pocket 2 zippered handwarmer, 2 flap waist, 1 zippered internal media 2 zippered waist, 1 zippered chest, 1 zippered interior media
Weight 1.38 lb (L) 4.64 lb (2XL) 3.31 lb (XL) 3.24 lb (2XL) 3.29 lb (2XL)
2-Way Front Zipper Yes Yes Yes No No
Weather Resistant Features Cinchable hood and hem, adjustable cuffs Faux fur lined hood, cinchable hood and waist, adjustable cuffs, heavy exterior shell, rugged front zipper flap, water-resistant shell, Faux fur lined hood, cinchable hood, DryVent waterproof membrane, adjustable cuffs Integrating hood flaps, cinchable hood and hem, adjustable fleece lined cuffs, rugged front zipper flap, water-resistant shell, Water-resistant shell, cinchable hood and hem, adjustable straps, spandex interiior cuffs, powder skirt
Available Sizes XS - 2XL XS - 3XL S - 3XL S - 2XL S - 3XL
Social or Environmental Certifications Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified down and feathers, fluorocarbon-free hydrophobic finish Shell, lining, and filling made from 100% recycled polyester Non-PFC DWR finishes, 100% recycled waterfowl down insulation Shell is 100% post-consumer recycled polyester None specified

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Rab Neutrino Pro is a down parka geared towards technical use, providing exceptional warmth and modest weather resistance in a lightweight and packable package, but at the expense of durability and useful features like pockets and removable hoods.

Performance Comparison


rab neutrino pro - the rab neutrino pro is a warm, technically-oriented parka, and is a...
The Rab Neutrino Pro is a warm, technically-oriented parka, and is a great option for the active winter enthusiast.
Credit: Sam Willits

Warmth


The Neutrino Pro is a warm parka. It packs tons of high-quality 800-fill down into box baffles on the front torso and traditional sewn-through baffles in the arms and back. The hood provides full head coverage without protruding too far in front of the face, and the hem extends down past the waist to keep the lower body warm. The hem and the hood are adjustable with drawstrings to seal in warmth.


While some jackets on the market are warmer, the Neutrino Pro is warm enough for most winter climates. We felt comfortable in just the jacket and a long sleeve shirt with no additional layers until about 20°F. While standing at this temperature for 20 minutes, we used a chest-mounted Bluetooth thermometer to monitor our Neutrino Pro's internal temperature. It measured a solid 74.2°F.



For the price, this jacket is an excellent value for the amount of warmth it provides. The super-packable down in this parka also makes it a great option for cold winter hiking, where you can stash it into a backpack easily, then pull it out during breaks or when the trail heads into the shade.

Gettin' chilly with it. We spent a chilly evening in the Utah mountains at 8,750 feet above sea level in our effort to find out how well our Neutrino Pro could defend against the cold.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Weather Resistance


The Neutrino Pro features Pertex Quantum Pro shell fabric, which, in our experience, is moderately resistant to rain but highly resistant to frozen precipitation. The shell fabric isn't as waterproof as heavier options and doesn't even come close to a standard rain jacket. Still, in the interest of saving weight, it does the job and is especially appropriate for cold winter climates where winter precipitation is less likely to fall in the form of rain. Down loses its insulation when wet, and in a rainy downpour, water will likely reach the feathers through the stitching of each baffle or the less-than-waterproof zipper. Thankfully, the down feathers of this jacket are treated with a water-resistant coating, meaning that even if water gets through the shell, the feathers will keep their loft longer.


The hood protrudes about an inch in front of the face and features a stiff brim, allowing it to effectively protect that sensitive skin from snow, rain, and whipping wind. We found enough room to fit a beanie under the hood during our testing. The wrist openings are elastic and feature velcro cuff straps, which act together to create an effective seal over bare skin or your favorite gloves.

rab neutrino pro - the rab neutrino pro's shell is resistant to light rain, shown...
The Rab Neutrino Pro's shell is resistant to light rain, shown above, but in a wet downpour, it doesn't hold up.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Comfort


For a technical jacket, the Neutrino Pro is remarkably comfortable. The Pertex shell fabric and interior lining are both constructed from very small fibers, making the material more comfortable against the skin. The large down baffles lay gentle over the body, and fleece lining inserts in the handwarmer pockets and the chin area make the jacket a joy to wear, even when bundled up. The jacket weighs in at just 1.38 pounds in size XL, which is very light for such a warm jacket. This lightweight is a welcome relief from the heavy and bulky winter jackets that we are used to testing. This jacket feels more agile and flexible than most other winter jackets.


As a technical winter jacket, the Neutrino Pro is designed with a fit that hugs the body's contours more than other traditional winter jackets and trench-style designs. The result is a much more comfortable garment than most winter jackets due to the anatomical components that work with the body rather than against it. It feels easy to wear while standing still, walking, or during more active winter activities like chopping wood and shoveling. Overall, we're big fans of the comfort and fit of this garment.

rab neutrino pro - a soft fleece liner on the inside of the front zipper keeps the chin...
A soft fleece liner on the inside of the front zipper keeps the chin cozy and comfortable.
Credit: Sam Willits

Versatility and Style


The look of the Neutrino Pro is decidedly technical and form-fitting. It looks more at home in the mountains or on the trails than it does on the urban streets of a cold city, but it still manages to earn an above-average score in this metric. Some users will like this look, but others won't. We purchased a size larger than indicated by Rab's size chart, and by sizing up, we found ourselves with a jacket that looks great both in the great outdoors and the big city.


Style is subjective and the hardest metric to test. Still, from the comments we received when asking around, this jacket has the potential to look great in a variety of contexts. From exploring or shoveling snow to heading out for a coffee, this jacket can be fairly versatile, despite being designed as a primarily technical jacket.

rab neutrino pro - the neutrino pro, shown here one size larger than the tester usually...
The Neutrino Pro, shown here one size larger than the tester usually wears, has good style for both outdoor activities and urban wear.
Credit: Sam Willits

The Neutrino Pro is light on features, owing to its design as a technical-minded jacket. It avoids any additions that would create areas where the material would stick out, like removable hoods, fur accents, cargo pockets, and snap closures. Instead, it features just two handwarmer pockets on the exterior waist and one internal zippered chest pocket. If you are the type who likes pockets everywhere, this jacket won't be handy. But, we found that the handwarmer pockets are large enough to fit most users' needs. They are deep enough to stash accessories like a pair of gloves, a winter hat, or a scarf. They can also fit larger items like water bottles. The chest pocket is large enough to accommodate modern smartphones and wallets.

The Neutrino Pro's handwarmer pockets are large and well-placed.
The Neutrino Pro's handwarmer pockets are large and well-placed.
A single, large internal chest pocket is the only internal pocket.
A single, large internal chest pocket is the only internal pocket.
The Neutrino's hood is large and blocks bad weather.
The Neutrino's hood is large and blocks bad weather.

Construction Quality


The Neutrino Pro uses Pertex Quantum Pro 20-Denier fabric for the outer shell. This material is thin and water-resistant, but its supple feel means it won't stand up well to sharp objects and hard impacts. We didn't find any problems with the fabric's durability during our test period, but in our experience with this material, users will want to be gentle with this jacket. We paid close attention to where we placed the coat to avoid snagging sharp objects, and we made sure not to brush past harsh or abrasive surfaces when walking.


Down insulation retains its loft longer than synthetic insulation, and we have found that similar jackets remain warm for many years after purchase. The zippers feel burly, but the thin shell fabric occasionally catches in the zipper teeth. The Velcro wrist straps will also wear out over time if used heavily. In general, if treated with care, this jacket presents decent durability.

rab neutrino pro - the neutrino pro's shell material is thin and delicate, and doesn't...
The Neutrino Pro's shell material is thin and delicate, and doesn't stand up to heavy contact with rough surfaces or sharp objects.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Should You Buy the Rab Neutrino Pro?


The Rab Neutrino Pro is a warm and packable winter parka that is highly versatile. It provides warmth for the coldest winter days, weather resistance against snow and wind, and can be used in urban environments or the great outdoors when hiking, skiing, fishing, hunting, and more. It is stylish enough for all but the most high-brow contexts and at an attractive price. This jacket is a great choice if you want a lightweight, technical-minded parka for cold winter use.

rab neutrino pro - thick baffles and 800-fill down help the neutrino deliver tons of...
Thick baffles and 800-fill down help the Neutrino deliver tons of warmth while remaining lightweight and packable.
Credit: Sam Willits

What Other Winter Jackets Should You Consider?


If winter in your area is reliably below freezing and precipitation falls as snow most of the time, the Neutrino is a great option for an everyday parka. However, if you live in an area where you frequently get a mix of rain and snow throughout the season, you may be better off with the more weather-proof The North Face McMurdo Down Parka. It's stuffed to the brim with down fill, but also waterproof. Likewise the Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka is also a great waterproof option with a bit more style. If want a more affordable parka similar to the Neutrino Pro, the REI Co-op Stormhenge Down Hybrid Parka is an amazing bargain.

Jeff Dobronyi