Patagonia Stormshadow Parka vs Rab Glaceon Pro Down Jacket

The Stormshadow Parka is the better pick for wet, urban winters: a GORE-TEX shell keeps rain and slush out, and the thigh-length cut plus storm cuffs cover more of you. The Rab Glaceon Pro is the better pick for cold, dry mountain use: it packs smaller, has a helmet-compatible hood, and its Pertex Quantum Pro shell handles wind and spindrift. Both use 700-fill recycled down, so warmth is close; the Stormshadow is heavier and bulkier, while the Rab is lighter and more packable. Owners of both call them warm and well made; the main trade-off is weatherproofing versus packability.

• Choose the Patagonia Stormshadow Parka if you face rain, sleet and slush in town or on wet trails and want a long, fully waterproof shell over down.
• Choose the Rab Glaceon Pro if you want a lighter, packable down jacket for cold, dry mountain days, belays and winter hikes, and you already carry a hard shell.