Rab Deep Cover Parka Review

Insulated with 650 R.D.S Certified Hydrophobic European Duck Down, we don't feel restricted when wearing this jacket. The down never feels too bulky. Weighing in at 1.9 lbs, this model is on the lighter side.

Performance Comparison

This was one of the most stylish "puffy" style winter jackets we tested. We never felt restricted when wearing it, and it's insulated with just enough to down to keep us warm while still maintaining a cute look. There is contoured baffling under the arms/side and it gives the jacket an even more stylish appearance. The faux fur around the hood lends itself to the classic winter parka look and feel.

Photo: Bevan Waite

Warmth

We can't deny how warm the Deep Cover. At first, it seemed like any other winter jacket; it consists of an okay amount of down, a nice style, and a cozy hood.

The detachable hood with a faux fur ruff added extra warmth in windy, stormy, and cold temperatures. The hood is snug and warm enough that a beanie underneath isn't necessary. An added feature that made a difference in cold weather was the nylon cuffs with thumb holes. We loved this feature.

The faux fur ruff around the hood did a great job at blocking cold winds and precipitation while looking super stylish. The quality wasn't as good as the real fur ruffs on the Canada Goose, but we were impressed nonetheless, and it's cruelty-free! The hood and faux fur ruff on this model are both detachable.

Photo: Bevan Waite

Weather Resistance

There aren't too many issues with the Deep Cover, but we want to note that it's not waterproof. The exterior fabric is a durable nylon material and is somewhat water-resistant, but again, not waterproof. It performed as intended in light snow, but after a short period worn in rain and heavy snow, it started to saturate. When down gets wet, it compromises its loft, and the jacket is not as warm.

Front view of the jacket. Form-fitting and sleek, with enough room to move around and fit another layer underneath. We had no issues looking good and staying warm in this jacket.

Photo: Bevan Waite

Style

The Deep Cover is exceptionally stylish despite being insulated with fluffy down. It reaches mid-thigh and can easily be dressed up for a night out on the town. It's also perfect après-ski wear.

The stitching is closer together on the sides, while the rest of the jacket offers a different stitching pattern. The exterior nylon fabric of our model had a matte finish, despite the pictures on the website. In the sun, it can have a shiny appearance.

From all angles we found this jacket to be very stylish. Even though this contender was insulated with a respectable amount of down, we never felt like it had the appearance of being too "puffy".

Photo: Bevan Waite

Comfort

We have a hard time taking this jacket off. It's just that comfortable. The Deep Cover's down insulation is just the right amount to make it warm and comfy without feeling like you're wearing a heavy, bulky sleeping bag. It reaches mid-thigh, which allowed us to move around in it a touch better than other longer-length models. The extra mobility was beneficial when we were running errands or going out for a brisk walk.

Durability

Since the material is nylon, there is potential for snags. There is also a lot of exterior stitching due to how the down insulation is placed. We read some reviews where people said they started to see feathers coming out from the stitching at the seams. Over the three months we tested this jacket, we didn't notice this happening at an alarming rate.

Features

The Deep Cover is a simple jacket. But it had the appropriate features we needed to stay warm on some of the coldest days of the season, which we appreciated.

Despite only having micro-fleece lining on one side of the pockets, our hands still stayed warm and toasty. We noticed the difference when we put our hands into pockets that had nice warm, cozy lining, compared to some pockets that had only cold nylon or polyester.

Photo: Bevan Waite

The hood has a fabulous faux fur ruff. The two exterior pockets are lined with microfleece on one side. And the wrists have nylon cuffs with thumb holes, which provide incredible warmth.

There are nylon cuffs on the sleeves of the jacket that have awesome thumb holes. We fell in love with them. Every time we went outside we instantly put our thumb through the hole. Nice work, Rab!

Photo: Bevan Waite

There is one interior media pocket with a zipper, perfect for a cell phone or keys. The main zipper is double-sided, allowing for more movement or to let in some cold air (if you find yourself overheating). There is also a wind flap behind the main zipper that does an excellent job keeping cold air out.

Value

This competitor is a steal. It's undeniably warm, stylish, and form-fitting. While it's water-resistant, it's not waterproof. If that's what you need in a winter jacket, keep looking, friend.

Conclusion