The Rab Neutrino Pro is a loty and warm down jacket. It's made with 800-fill, Grangers-treated, hydrophobic European goose down surrounded by 20D recycled Pertex Quantum Pro ripstop nylon, which is also water and wind-resistant. It's cut longer than most, with an exaggerated drop hem, weighs 19.9 ounces (size large), and features a large internal dump pocket, which the jacket can be packed into.
The Neutrino Pro is incredibly warm, even in the harshest environments. At altitudes of up to 14,000 feet (and even above), northern latitudes, and temperatures dipping well below zero, the Neutrino would be the first down jacket we reached for, just short of an expedition parka. Rab uses high-quality 800-fill, hydrophobic European goose down — and a lot of it. This is an exceedingly puffy down jacket, and as we know, more loft means more warmth, especially with high-quality down. It also has larger baffles, which minimize the number of seams where air can leak in and reduce the pinch points that compress the down, all adding up to more loft and more warmth.
To boost the coziness factor, Rab adds several thoughtful touches to the Neutrino Pro. An internal panel around the core helps block cold drafts from seeping through the sewn-through baffles, while the super-puffy, down-filled hood features a soft fleece chin guard for extra comfort and insulation. The long drop hem extends over the backside—a welcome detail for colder days—and includes an extra-lofty baffle that seals in heat when cinched.
The zipper is backed by a thick storm flap, helping to seal this jacket from wind chill and cold intrusion. Velcro adjustments on the wrist cuffs further lock out the chill, keeping warmth where it belongs. Even the hand pockets get a cozy upgrade, lined halfway with microfleece to warm the backs of your hands. If this jacket isn't warm enough for you, you're probably shopping for a true high-altitude parka.
The Neutrino Pro feels like dreamy and lofty cloud of down to wear, and it also has plenty of features that add to its comfort. There is a huge felt chin guard inside to keep you nice and cozy when you're all bundled into the jacket. The two-way separating zipper can be opened up at the bottom to allow for a great range of motion and can comfortably accommodate a harness for activities like ice climbing and mountaineering. This is one of our favorite jackets to wear when we need mobility coupled with warmth.
The Neutrino Pro is highly adjustable. Dual bungees on each side of the hem are strong enough to stay put even as you climb or play with your dog in the snow. Dual hood bungees let you cinch tight against the wind, even if you forgot to bring a beanie.
A wide velcro strap on the back adjusts the volume of the hood, which fits easily over a helmet or thick beanie with a pom on top, but it's not so huge that it swallows your eyes worn over a bare head. A wire-stiffened brim juts off the front, adding further protection.
Two large, zippered, fleece-lined hand pockets and an internal zippered chest pocket provide storage for essentials and warm hands on cold days. Rab also adds a new internal large stash pocket, perfect for stowing gloves, climbing skins, or other quick-grab gear when you're on the move.
The Neutrino Pro doesn't top the charts for its weight, but that doesn't tell the whole story. The heavier weight of this jacket comes with the direct benefit of extraordinary warmth, with a whole lot of loft keeping you cozy without weighing you down on your journey. And when you truly need warmth, we think the extra few ounces of the Neutrino Pro are well worth carrying when the conditions demand it.
The Neutrino Pro also earns some serious points for compressibility. Its 800-fill down is highly compressible for the impressive warmth it provides, and its Pertex Quantum Pro fabric is impressively light and supple, especially for the durability it brings. Testers appreciated the addition of an internal stash pocket in the last update. This is easy to pack the jacket into, but it lacks a zippered closure, and it was somewhat difficult to stow away due to its bulky nature.
When it comes to withstanding the elements, the Neutrino Pro truly stands out. Its wider baffles do an excellent job of blocking wind, providing noticeably better protection than many narrower-baffled competitors due to the reduction in seams. Inside the front torso panels, Rab adds an additional internal fabric layer that further prevents cold air from seeping through. A fully backed zipper and snap closure seal out even the most stubborn gusts and keep warmth where it belongs.
As for water resistance, the Neutrino Pro's Pertex Quantum Pro exterior has a very thin DWR waterproof coating on an otherwise light and breathable fabric. This will shed a little precipitation, and it will allow moisture to evaporate out more easily.
Its down is also treated with Grangers hydrophobic finish to add a little extra protection if you get caught in serious rain and the jacket's fabric wets out. If you're headed out into truly wet conditions, you'll want to wear a shell jacket, but that shell will need to be large enough to accommodate the Neutrino Pro's loft.
This jacket is made to provide warmth in seriously cold conditions, not to be a breathable layer worn when exercising in the cold. It lacks any vented areas to more easily expel heat when you're very warm, and isn't the jacket we'd recommend for milder climates or even high-exertion activities in moderate climates, as you'll likely find yourself too warm.
There is a 2-way zipper, allowing you to unzip it from the bottom for some venting, although it is designed more for situations where you're wearing a harness than for removing excess heat. However, this can be a very useful feature if you're wearing a backpack and need to cool off. We'll take the trade-off of added weather resistance for the lack of breathability in this jacket.
The Neutrino Pro is a pricey down jacket, depending on your intended uses, but it brings exceptional value for its toasty warmth and quality elements like weather resistance, adjustability, and comfort features. It may be overkill if you live in a mild, dry climate and just need something to wear around town or out on light missions. But if you're the type of person who's always cold or you're planning some rugged expeditions to seriously challenging places, it's well worth the investment.
The Rab Neutrino Pro delivers outstanding warmth for its weight, balancing packability with serious cold-weather performance. For even greater insulation, step up to a box-baffled parka built for high-altitude use. The Feathered Friends Eos offers similar warmth in a more basic, lighter, and more compressible package, while the Stio Hometown provides almost comparable cold-weather protection at a lower price. The Patagonia Fitz Roy Hoody is another excellent alternative—nearly as warm but lighter weight and more supple and stylish for everyday wear.
