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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 had a hard time taking this jacket off. It was 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.

Features

The Deep Cover is not a super feature friendly jacket like The North Face Outer Boroughs 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.

Photo: Bevan Waite

The hood has a fabulous faux fur ruff. 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!

Photo: Bevan Waite

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 used 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

Since the material is nylon, you'll want to be aware that 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 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.

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