Our review: Like a winter sleeping bag in jacket form – our pick for extreme cold
Buy for women from Amazon (£292.50), SportsShoes (£259.99)
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First impressions
If you want a down jacket that really does the job when it comes to insulation, the Neutrino Pro is the way to go. Feeling like a sleeping bag in jacket form, this was the ‘pouffiest’ on test and felt the most reassuring with regard to warmth.
First look at the features was good – three pockets, a sized stash bag, 2-way zipper and that stylish double blue colourway gave us a positive feeling about the product. Sizing is quite limited for women though (8-16) and five colour options are available. The same jacket for men is in sizes XS-XXL and six colour options.
How was the fit?
We chose a size UK14, our usual choice for longer winter jackets that need to fit over the hips and the Neutrino Pro felt true to size. It was snug without being restrictive and we had room for a fleece underneath, too. That 2-way zip (like on the Fjallraven Expedition Pack Down Hoodie) was handy again for increasing mobility through the hips/legs when hiking, but here is designed with using a climbing harness in mind.
The sleeves have a ‘twisted arm baffle’ design which means the sew-through design is done on an angle, increasing mobility. For a jacket which was relatively bulky compared to the others in the test it felt superbly light and easy to move in.
The hem can be adjusted with an elastic cord and the cuffs have Velcro to adjust the fit, which was easily done with gloves/cold hands. The down also goes all the way down the wrists to the seam for added warmth.
How does it feel?
Not one for warmer days, but once the temperatures dropped we couldn’t reach for this jacket fast enough. Very warm and soft it felt reassuringly cosy and a fleecy panel at the top was comfortable against the skin when fully zipped up.
Does it have a hood and is it any good?
Yes, a fully down-filled hood is included on this jacket and has an adjustable elastic cord to adjust it around the face, a Velcro tab to pull it back and secure it for visibility (and to make it helmet-friendly when mountaineering) and an inner Velcro tab which allows you to easily roll it up and out of the way. Finally, there is a stiffened peak with adjustable wire band inside.
What’s it made of?
The outer shell is made from lightweight 20D recycled Pertex® Quantum Pro fabric using 95% recycled materials. The lining is 20D recycled (38gsm) and made from 100% recycled materials. The fabric is water resistant and uses PFC-free waterproofing.
What’s it filled with?
The 800 fill power down is European Goose Down with a Nikwax Fluorocarbon-Free Hydrophobic finish which is applied at the cleaning stage and means the jacket can get wet without the down clumping. The down is RDS certified.
How durable is it?
During testing the jacket didn’t see any wear and tear. The components used feel reassuringly chunky and solid with a sturdy zip with storm flap and decent zip pulls on front and pockets. Those Velcro tabs are a good call too for strength without fiddly elements. The shoulders and upper sleeves have been Ripstop-reinforced, handy if being used with a harness or packpack.
How sustainable is it?
RAB have extensive material online about their sustainability and environmental policies, which are extensive. In the case of the Neutrino Pro, a chart breaking down the materials used shows the fabric ranges from 95-100% recycled content. The zips and trims are not recycled. The jacket is free of fluorocarbons with the exception of the zip, which RAB say they are working on improving. The down is RDS certified.
Is it good value?
This isn’t a budget buy, but considering the features on offer we think it’s worth the spend. For chilly winter outings and for someone who is adventuring in the mountains, a quality jacket with these kind of features included should be a valuable companion for years to come.
Best used for:
Although we became quite attached to this jacket for chilly morning walks, it really comes into its own in the mountains or on walks in the peaks, where you need reliable insulation. The waterproofing is a nice touch.
Facts at a glance: RAB Neutrino Pro Down Jacket
Sizes: W8-16/M
Weight: 502g (women’s UK10)
Fill power: 800
Down type: 800FP European Goose Down with Nikwax Fluorocarbon-Free Hydrophobic Finish
Face fabric: Lightweight 20D recycled Pertex® Quantum Pro (40gsm)
Type of zip: 2-way zip
Pockets: 3
Looking to keep your feet cosy too whilst enjoying the outdoors? Check out our roundup of the best walking socks.
