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Rab Neutrino Pro - Women's Review

An impressively warm jacket that offers a highly mobile fit, great adjustability, and cloud-like comfort
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Rab Neutrino Pro - Women's Review (We tested our jackets in the depths of winter and during a range of activities.)
We tested our jackets in the depths of winter and during a range of activities.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Price:  $400 List
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Manufacturer:   Rab Equipment
By Maggie Nichols, Kaylee Walden and Sara James  ⋅  Apr 11, 2025
88
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#1 of 24
  • Warmth - 30% 9.5
  • Comfort - 30% 10.0
  • Portability - 15% 6.0
  • Weather Resistance - 15% 9.0
  • Breathability - 10% 7.0

Our Verdict

We've been impressed with the Rab Neutrino Pro since we saw guides wearing it at surprisingly high elevations in Alaska — when most climbers were already in their box-baffled down parkas. It offers an incredible amount of lofty warmth for relatively minimal weight and bulk. It's constructed of durable materials and has great coverage, with a longer-than-average torso and an exaggerated drop hem, velcro-adjustable cuffs, and an adjustable-volume hood. With sleeves designed to let you move your arms without exposing yourself, this comfortable puffy jacket is one of the warmest we've tested and an excellent companion for epic adventures. To compare it to the competition, check out our review of women's down jacket.
REASONS TO BUY
Very warm
Lofty and light
Comfortable fit
Mobility features
Good weather resistance
REASONS TO AVOID
May be too warm for mild climates
Hood volume adjustment is velcro rather than toggle

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Top Pick Award
Top Pick for Serious Adventures
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Down Jacket for Women
Top Pick Award
Best Ultralight Down Jacket
Best Buy Award
Best Value Down Jacket for Women
Best Buy Award
Good Value on a Very Limited Budget
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$249 List
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Bottom Line A very warm coat with an exceptionally mobile fit, top-notch adjustability, and an absolute pillow of coziness to wearBalancing warmth, weight, and cost, this is an ideal choice for folks who want a high-performance down jacket without breaking the bankLiving up to its name, this ultralight down jacket makes a great layer for any adaptable cold-weather setupA budget-friendly jacket that balances warmth, weight, and packability, making it a practical choice for both trail adventures and everyday wearSimple and straightforward, this low-loft down jacket packs away small and costs less than most
Rating Categories Rab Neutrino Pro -... REI Co-op Magma 850... Mountain Hardwear G... Decathlon Forclaz M... Wantdo Packable Hoody
Warmth (30%)
9.5
8.5
6.0
6.0
5.0
Comfort (30%)
10.0
8.0
7.5
7.5
5.5
Portability (15%)
6.0
7.5
9.5
9.0
7.0
Weather Resistance (15%)
9.0
7.0
7.0
6.0
6.5
Breathability (10%)
7.0
7.0
9.0
7.0
5.0
Specifications Rab Neutrino Pro -... REI Co-op Magma 850... Mountain Hardwear G... Decathlon Forclaz M... Wantdo Packable Hoody
Down Fill 800-fill-power European goose down, Nikwax treatment 850-fill-power goose down, treated with DWR 800-fill-power, 90% goose down 800-fill-power down 90% duck down
Responsible Down Standard (RDS) Certified? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Outer Fabric 20D recycled Pertex Quantum Pro, ripstop 100% recycled ripstop nylon shell, DWR treated 10D recycled ripstop nylon 100% 15D polyamide (35 g/sqm) 20D nylon taffetta
Measured Weight 19.9 oz (size L) 11.5 oz ( size L) 8.3 oz (size L) 11.3 oz (size L) 8.8 oz (size S)
Measured Weight 21 oz (size XL) 12. oz ( size XL) 8.9 0z (size XL) 11.4 oz (size XL)
Hem Type Drop hem (large) Drop hem (small) Drop hem (small) Drop hem (small) Straight hem; hip length
Fit Standard Standard Slim Slim Standard
Pockets 2 zippered hand, 1 internal zippered chest 2 zippered hand, 1 internal zippered chest 2 zippered hand pockets 2 zippered hand pockets 2 zippered hand, 2 interior stash pockets with media pass-through
Hood Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Cuff Construction Elastic and velcro Elastic Elastic Elastic Elastic
Adjustment Points Dual hem bungees, dual hood bungees, velcro back-of-hood, velcro cuffs Drawcord hem; adjustable hood Single hem bungee Single hem bungee None
Stow Option Packs into left front pocket Packs into pocket Packs into a right hand pocket with double sided zipper and an integrated carabiner loop Packs into pocket with double sided-zipper and attachment clip point Packs into an included drawstring stuff sack
Features Helmet-compatible hood, 2-way zipper, wire-stiffened projected hood brim, twisted sleeve baffles for greater mobility, felt chin guard, felt lined pockets large velcro loop at nape of neck. Velcro adjustable cuffs. Durable ripstop outer shell Draft neck tube. Available in XS to 3XL Made with bluesign approved material in Fairtrade Certified factory, REI is Climate Neutral Certified The lightest option of the lineup, with high quality down and fill power. First baffles by the cuffs is synthetic fill to avoid wetting out when ice climbing, digging pits, shoveling snow, etc. Hanging loop on the inside and outside. Stuff pocket has double-sided zipper with pull tab. Clip loop for attaching N/A

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Rab Neutrino Pro is a fluffy and warm down jacket. It's made with 800-fill 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 18.5 ounces, and — with some effort — packs into its lefthand pocket.

rab neutrino pro for women
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Warmth


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 reduces the number of seams where air can leak in and reduces the pinch points that compress the down, all adding up to more loft and more warmth.


To up the coziness factor, Rab gets clever with the features. They include an additional panel inside the baffles around your core, which helps to reduce the chill from any cold drafts getting through the sewn-through baffle construction. The hood is super puffy and protective, with a soft fleece backer for added insulation. The back of the jacket has a long drop hem, covering a portion of your backside (which, for our female reviewers, is a classically frigid body part). The bottom hem has an extra puffy baffle as well, which seals in the heat when you cinch it tight and keeps the jacket in place. As a bonus feature, the insides of the hand pockets are also half-lined with microfleece, helping to warm the backs of your hands. If this jacket isn't warm enough for you, you're likely in the market for a true high-altitude parka.

rab neutrino pro for women - the extra wide, extra-filled baffles of the neutrino pro help make...
The extra wide, extra-filled baffles of the Neutrino Pro help make this one of the warmest down jackets in our lineup.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Comfort


In addition to being a dreamy and lofty cloud of down to wear, the Neutrino Pro has lots of features that add to its comfort and make it a great fit for most people. It features an aforementioned huge felt chin guard inside to keep you nice and cozy even when you're truly bundled into the jacket. The sleeve baffles are also sewn in a twisted fashion that moves as you move, allowing great range of motion 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.

We appreciated being able to adjust the hood but would have preferred a toggled bungee over the velcro offering.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

A wide velcro strap on the back adjusts the volume of the hood, which fits easily over a helmet or thick beanie with a bobble on top, without being 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 give you reasonable space to keep your hands warm and pack a few snacks.

rab neutrino pro for women - the neutrino pro wears like a cloud with a comfy and protective...
The Neutrino Pro wears like a cloud with a comfy and protective brimmed hood, and its sleeve design allows for easy mobility without exposing your wrists or torso.
Credit: Maggie Nichols

Portability


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 gains some serious points when it comes to 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. This was one of the most difficult to stow away due to the bulkier nature of the jacket and relatively small pocket opening. It took more time but was also more rewarding as the fleece-lined pockets turned it into a fleece-lined pillow.

Weather Resistance


When it comes to withstanding the elements, the Neutrino Pro has a lot to offer. We really notice the benefit of wider baffles for blocking out wind when compared to other down jackets. Additionally, inside the front baffles running up and down your torso, an extra layer of fabric exists to add another barrier against even the stiffest winds.


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 Nikwax hydrophobic finish to add a little extra leeway before it gets wet. It does bead fairly well in wet conditions for a while, especially if the precipitation is snow and not rain. If you're headed out into truly wet conditions, it also layers easily under a rain jacket or shell, as long as that shell is large enough to accommodate the loft.

rab neutrino pro for women - the neutrino pro offers excellent wind protection and hydrophobic...
The Neutrino Pro offers excellent wind protection and hydrophobic down.
Credit: Sara James

Breathability


Made to provide warmth in seriously cold conditions, the Neutrino Pro isn't the most breathable option we tested. 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 this is designed more for situations where you're wearing a harness than to rid 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.

rab neutrino pro for women - the two way zippers is a helpful feature for dumping heat if things...
The two way zippers is a helpful feature for dumping heat if things get too warm inside.
Credit: Natalie Kafader


Should You Buy the Rab Neutrino Pro?


The Neutrino Pro is a pricey down jacket, depending on your intended uses, but it brings exceptional value. 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.

If you like spending time outside in the depths of winter, this Neutrino Pro is a great option to keep you warm.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

What Other Down Jackets Should You Consider?


The Rab Neutrino Pro is a remarkably warm down jacket that still brings the benefits of being relatively lightweight. To take the next step up in warmth, you'll likely want to look at box-baffled (instead of sewn-through) down parkas for high-altitude and polar expeditions. For something nearly as warm that offers more compressibility, a lower weight, and less technical features, check out the Feathered Friends Eos. We also solidly recommend the very warm Stio Hometown as another excellent jacket for seriously cold temps, that's slightly more affordable. For a midweight jacket that still performs well across the board but is better suited to moderate climates and more affordable, the Rab Microlight is an excellent choice. At the end of the day, the Neutrino Pro is well thought out, with features that match its intended use and a wise blend of warmth with a focus on low weight and durability. Year after year, it continues to be a favorite of our review team.

rab neutrino pro for women
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Maggie Nichols, Kaylee Walden and Sara James