Arc’teryx Thorium vs Cerium SV vs Rab Neutrino Pro: Which Winter Jacket Is Right For You?
If you’re trying to choose a serious winter puffy and you keep landing on Arc’teryx and Rab, you’re in the right spot. In this video breakdown, Zach walked through three premium down jackets we carry at Ridge and River and explained where each one shines:
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Arc’teryx Thorium Hoody
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Arc’teryx Cerium SV Hoody
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Rab Neutrino Pro
All three are warm, high quality, and worth your money, but each one fits a different type of cold weather adventure.
Watch the full video here: YouTube - Arc’teryx Thorium vs Cerium SV vs Rab Neutrino Pro
Let’s break it down jacket by jacket and see which one fits your winter, your adventures, and those icy Toledo mornings.
Arc’teryx Thorium Hoody: The Everyday Winter Workhorse
Price in the video: $500
Fill: 750 fill power down
Purpose: A true do-it-all winter jacket for almost every cold weather situation.
The Thorium hits that perfect middle ground between performance and everyday comfort. It uses premium 750 fill down for warmth and packability, plus synthetic insulation in the shoulders, underarms, and cuffs. That mixed fill adds durability and moisture resistance where you need it most.
The outer fabric is Arc’teryx’s Arato 30D nylon with a water repellent coating. It’s beefy and durable, providing an extra layer of defense against mist, snow, or brushing up against trees and rock. It’s not waterproof, but it’s tougher than most puffies in this category.
Another key difference is the fit. The Thorium has a slightly wider cut than most Arc’teryx jackets, which tend to be athletic and trim. That makes it ideal as an outer layer over a base or mid layer without feeling tight.
Who it’s for:
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Anyone who wants one winter jacket for almost everything
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Dog walks, commutes, or morning coffee in Toledo
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Dry, cold hikes or alpine climbs
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Those who want performance and everyday wear in one
Why it works: Warm, durable, and versatile. Good from the trail to the bar.
👉 Shop the Arc’teryx Thorium Hoody at Ridge and River
Arc’teryx Cerium SV: Ultralight Warmth for Cold, Dry Missions
Price in the video: $600
Fill: 1000 fill power down
Purpose: A premium ultralight option built for severe cold, not wet conditions.
The Cerium SV is Arc’teryx’s pinnacle down jacket. SV stands for “Severe,” but in this case, it means severe cold rather than severe weather. It’s all about maximum warmth-to-weight ratio in a lightweight, packable form.
The Cerium SV uses 1000 fill power down, which is some of the loftiest and most efficient insulation you can buy. It traps incredible warmth with very little bulk. Like the Thorium, Arc’teryx adds synthetic insulation in the cuffs, shoulders, and underarms for slight moisture protection.
Its diamond fused nylon shell is what gives it that shiny look. The carbon that forms the diamond structure is fused directly into the nylon, making it surprisingly strong for how thin it feels. However, it’s still not built for abrasion, moisture, or fire exposure.
Who it’s for:
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Alpine climbers and mountaineers in dry, cold conditions
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Ultralight backpackers and high output athletes
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Winter camping at elevation
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Anyone chasing warmth without weight
Why it works: The Cerium SV is insanely warm, feather light, and packs into its own stuff sack. It’s not meant for rain or abrasion, but for fast, cold, dry missions, it’s unbeatable.
👉 Shop the Arc’teryx Cerium SV Hoody at Ridge and River
Rab Neutrino Pro: The Cold, Wet, Real Winter Beast
Price in the video: $400
Fill: 800 fill power down
Purpose: The burly, weather resistant mountaineering and expedition jacket.
The Rab Neutrino Pro has earned its reputation in the mountaineering world for being incredibly warm and durable. With 800 fill down and a Pertex Pro outer shell, this jacket is built to handle harsh, cold, and sometimes wet environments better than most down pieces.
While it’s still not meant for soaking rain, it resists wind and moisture impressively well. The fabric is tough and abrasion resistant, making it a go-to for ice climbing, winter expeditions, or those bitter cold Lake Erie days in Toledo.
Zach mentioned in the video that he could wear this jacket over a t-shirt at zero degrees with 20 mile per hour wind and still feel toasty. That’s real-world warmth you can count on.
Who it’s for:
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Mountaineers, ice climbers, and cold weather explorers
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Midwest winters where temperatures drop below zero
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People who just hate being cold
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Those who want a jacket that performs on the mountain but still looks good in town
Why it works: Warm, tough, and more weather resistant than most down jackets in its class. It’s the best bang for your buck in this lineup and one of the best cold weather values on the market.
👉 Shop the Rab Neutrino Pro Men’s
👉 Shop the Rab Neutrino Pro Women’s
Quick Comparison
Best for Everyday Winter Wear: Arc’teryx Thorium
Best for Ultralight Cold, Dry Trips: Arc’teryx Cerium SV
Best for Harsh, Wet, and Extreme Cold: Rab Neutrino Pro
Prices from the video:
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Rab Neutrino Pro: $400
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Arc’teryx Thorium: $500
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Arc’teryx Cerium SV: $600
As the price goes up, you get lighter weight fabrics, higher fill power, and more premium down technology.
Local Use Case: Toledo, Ohio
For our winters here in Toledo, the Rab Neutrino Pro is a top choice for frigid, windy days off Lake Erie. The Thoriumis perfect for daily use, dog walks, and hikes at Oak Openings Metropark. The Cerium SV is what you pack if you’re heading west for cold, dry mountain trips.
📍 Visit us in person to try them on: Ridge and River Toledo Location
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