Rab Deep Cover Parka Review

There are three subtle, elegant colors to choose from — Black, Army, and Deep Denim — that compliment the style. Insulated with 650 R.D.S Certified Hydrophobic European Duck Down we didn't feel restricted when wearing it and the down didn't feel 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.

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. We soon found that it's nearly perfect, despite not being waterproof. Insulated with 650 RDS Certified Hydrophobic European Duck Down, this model is warmer than The North Face Metropolis Parka II and almost as warm as our Best Buy award winner, the Marmot Montreaux. If a super warm contender isn't entirely what you're looking for, check out something like the Arc'teryx Patera or the Columbia Heavenly. The Deep Cover is ideal when temperatures don't drop below freezing or if you want to wear layers underneath.

The detachable hood with a faux fur ruff added extra warmth in windy, stormy, and cold temperatures. The hood was snug and warm enough that a beanie underneath wasn't necessary. An added feature that made a difference in cold weather was the nylon cuffs with thumb holes. We loved this feature. Unlike The North Face Gotham II Hooded Down Jacket or the Patagonia Down With It Parka that lacked any cuffs at the wrist, the Deep Cover kept cold air out. This allowed us to be outside even longer when temperatures started to drop. The Kuhl Arktik Down Parka also has cozy and protective cuffs. A feature we like to see.

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.

Weather Resistance

There aren't too many issues with the Deep Cover, but we do want to note that it's not waterproof. The exterior fabric is a durable nylon material, which was 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 become saturated. Saturation then becomes an issue if the insulation consists of down; when down becomes soaked, it compromises the loftiness, and in turn, the jacket is not as warm.

The Marmot Montreaux, another plush down jacket, performed better during testing when it came to repelling water, despite only having a water-resistant exterior layer. The Columbia Heavenly Hooded Jacket did a better job of resisting water than the Deep Cover, but it didn't compare to the Fjallraven Nuuk Insulated Parka, the North Face Arrowood Triclimate Jacket and our Top Pick for Wet Weather, the Patagonia Tres does a knockout job in wet, sloppy winter weather. If you live somewhere like Seattle or Portland, the Tres may be the right fit!

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.

Style

The Deep Cover is exceptionally stylish despite being insulated with plush, warm 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 pattern style. The exterior nylon fabric of our model had a matte finish, despite the pictures on the website. In the sun, it can have more of a shiny appearance. We rated the Deep Cover and Canada Goose Kensington as the top two stylish in the fleet. If you plan on using your winter jacket for years and the exterior stitching and nylon worry you, check out the durable and water-resistant Kuhl Arktik Down Parka.

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".

Comfort

We had a hard time taking this jacket off; it was just that comfortable. When compared to the plus down of the Marmot Montreaux and the Patagonia Down With It Parka, 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, like The North Face Arctic Parka II. The extra mobility was beneficial when we were running errands or going out for a brisk walk.

Features

The Deep Cover is not a super feature friendly jacket, like our Editors' Choice award winner, the Canada Goose Kensington Parka, which is loaded with features. 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.

The hood has a fabulous faux fur ruff that is fuller than the Marmot Montreaux but it doesn't compare to the warmth of the real coyote fur that the Canada Goose Kensington Parka or the Canada Goose Shelburne Parka boast. The two exterior pockets are lined with microfleece on one side; usually, this would equate to experiencing a touch of cold, since double-sided microfleece is ideal. Fortunately, the wrist has nylon cuffs with thumb holes which provided incredible warmth and meant we were able to stay as warm as if the pockets were double lined.

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!

There is one interior media pocket with a zipper, which is perfect for a cell phone or keys. The main zipper is double-sided, allowing for access from both ends and can be utilized 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 of keeping cold air out.

Durability

The exterior nylon fabric on the Deep Cover isn't nearly as durable as the outer Gore-Tex layer of the Arc'teryx Patera Parka, or The North Face Arctic Parka II, and the exterior material was comparable to The North Face Metropolis Parka II. Since the material is nylon, you'll want to be aware that there are 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 that we tested, we didn't notice this happening at an alarming rate. We experienced absolutely no durability issues with any of the Canada Goose models, though you do pay a pretty penny more.

Best Applications

The Deep Cover is the perfect jacket for wearing on a cold, bitter walk or for wearing at an outside ski apres on a light snowy day. Since this jacket isn't oozing with unnecessary features, its simple style was easy to dress up for a night out on the town, or just to wear to the gym. Unfortunately, we don't recommend wearing this contender in wet weather.

Value

For $275, this competitor is a steal. It's undeniably warm, stylish, and form-fitting. If you are worried about it not being waterproof and don't want to spend quite as much dough, check out the best buy winning Eddie Bauer Sun Valley Down Jacker. For 25 dollars more you'll get a warm and waterproof contender at a fair price that won't break the bank.

Conclusion

Simply put, we love the Rab Deep Cover. From its simple look to the beautiful faux fur ruff around the hood, Rab did a great job at making sure every detail was done well. Did we forget to mention that this jacket is warm and lightweight? It wasn't as warm as the Marmot Montreaux, which is another great option at a price that won't break the bank. If you live somewhere cold, like NYC or Chicago, you'll want to consider the Montreaux. Unlike the Deep Cover Parka, the Montreaux reaches past the knees and is loaded with plush 700-fill-down. If money isn't a factor, we'd recommend our highest scorer, the Canada Goose Kensington Parka; the thick, exterior fabric offered extra protection in stormy weather, while still maintaining a highly fashionable look.