Rab Neutrino Endurance Down Jacket Review: Literally a Lifesaver

The Rab Neutrino Endurance Down Jacket is, simply put, one of the best cold-weather jackets we’ve ever tested. A frigid winter camping trip in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains served as the perfect proving grounds for the Neutrino. From the simple, well thought-out features to the light weight and excellent heat retention, we love it for performance at subzero temperatures. It was, quite literally, a lifesaver.

Fit:

Many high-loft down jackets have a boxy, short fit that makes for drafty, chilly moments. When using Rab’s Neutrino Endurance Jacket, testers noted that the slightly slimmer, longer cut helped utilize the full insulating power of the down while not restricting layering options.

Rab Neutrino Endurance Down Jacket Starting at: $343.76

Weight/Packability:

The Neutrino Endurance weighs in at a scant 1.4 pounds (653 grams) for a size Large, virtually unnoticeable to our testers. The warmth-to-weight ratio is among the best we’ve ever seen, which was critical when setting up camp after a long skin. A stuff sack is included, and packs an XL jacket down to about twice the size of a Nalgene bottle.

Pockets/Features:

The Neutrino Endurance’s features are intentionally simple, which is refreshing in an age of unnecessary bells and whistles. Two roomy handwarmer pockets and an interior stash pocket get the job done and keep weight and bulk low. The hood is easily stowable using a simple hook/loop interface. Our only minor gripe was the velcro-based hood adjustment.

Image via Drew Zieff

Materials:

The Neutrino Endurance is composed entirely of state-of-the-art materials. The outer shell consists of breathable Pertex Endurance, which is lightweight, strong, and water-resistant fabric with a DWR coating. Zippers are solid Vislon Aquaguards, and a dual-zipper setup ensures the ability to belay while wearing the jacket. Rab uses nine ounces of 800-fill power down, complete with a hydrophobic coating developed with Nikwax. These materials make for a highly water-resistant jacket when compared to others in the category, though, of course, you’ll want to add a shell for true waterproof performance.

Summary:

The Rab Neutrino Endurance Down Jacket is our testers’ favorite lightweight parka for when things get really cold. Frosty nights in the Wasatch were no problem for the high loft, perfect fit and lightweight design of the Neutrino Endurance, and we’d recommend it to anyone needing to stay warm in tough conditions.