REASONS TO BUY
Stylish
Incredibly warm
Lightweight to down ratio
Detachable fur hood
REASONS TO AVOID
Somewhat bulky
Not waterproof
Some feather & down loss
Rab Deep Cover Parka Review
A stylish winter jacket that will keep you warm when temperatures start to drop
Credit: Rab
Our Verdict
We fell in love with the Rab Deep Cover Parka immediately. Despite being insulated with cozy 650 fill down, this insulated winter a flattering look while keeping us warm and toasty. The exterior layer is coated with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish, which was great for light snow, but not the best option for wet, rainy weather. All things considered, the Rab would be an excellent addition to most people's jacket repotoire.
Editor's Note: The Rab Deep Cover Parka review was updated on February 14, 2022, with additional info on which product we would buy and help to compare products better.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Rab Deep Cover Parka | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  | |  | ||
| Price | $299.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $379 List $378.95 at Amazon | $377.30 at Amazon | $274.28 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $199 List $199.00 at REI |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Stylish, incredibly warm, lightweight to down ratio, detachable fur hood | Warm, light, soft, great hood | Loftiest and most compressible jacket in our tests, great weather resistance, highly-adjustable hood | Warm, flattering, cozy, double-sided zipper, functional pockets | Warm, comfortable, simple, inexpensive |
| Cons | Somewhat bulky, not waterproof, some feather & down loss | No cinch at the waist, not the most stylish | Expensive, may be tight fitting around the waist | No front snaps, not as warm when compressed, not waterproof | Shallow hood, no internal pockets |
| Bottom Line | A stylish winter jacket that will keep you warm when temperatures start to drop | This soft, extra-long down parka with a cavernous hood is a dream to wrap up in when the temperatures drop | One of the warmest and most weather-resistant jackets for more active outdoor pursuits | Serious warmth is packed into this lightweight, flattering, and reasonably priced parka | Cute, streamlined, and warm enough for almost any winter weather, this jacket is a great value |
| Rating Categories | Rab Deep Cover Parka | Outdoor Research Co... | Rab Neutrino Pro Down | Marmot Montreaux | REI Co-op Norseland... |
| Warmth (30%) | |||||
| Weather Resistance (25%) | |||||
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Style (10%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Rab Deep Cover Parka | Outdoor Research Co... | Rab Neutrino Pro Down | Marmot Montreaux | REI Co-op Norseland... |
| Insulation and Fill Power | 650 fill RDS Certified Hydrophobic European duck down | 700 fill down | 800 fill European goose down | 700 fill power duck down with water resistant Down Defender | 650 fill duck down |
| Fill Weight | 340 g | 240 g | 212 g (size S) | 221 g | 238 g |
| Hood | Insulated, detachable hood with faux fur trim | Adjustable | Adjustable, insulated | Insulated, removable, detachable faux fur trim | Fleece lined |
| Pockets | 1 internal, 2 external | 2 zippered handwarmer, 1 internal zippered security, 1 internal pouch | 2 zippered hand, 1 internal zippered chest | 2 zippered handwarmer, 2 internal chest (1 zippered) | 2 zippered handwarmer |
| Weight (size small) | 1.9 lbs | 2.0 lbs | 1.1 lbs | 2.3 lbs | 2.0 lbs |
| 2-way zipper | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Weather Resistant Features | DWR treatment | Water and wind resistant | Wind and weather resistant, hydrophobic down | Water resistant down, DWR treatment | DWR treatment |
| Sizes Available | 6 to 18 | XS to XL | XS to XL | XS to XXL | XS to XL |
| Social or Environmental Certifications | 650 RDS - (responsble down standards) certified hydrophobic European Duck Down, fluorocarbon-free Hydrophobic Down | Responsible Down Standard - Certified, bluesign approved, 100% recycled nylon shell | Responsible Down Standard - Certified, 100% Recycled Fabric | Responsible Down Standard - Certified , 100% recycled polyester lining, bluesign approved |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
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, and weighing in at 1.9 lbs, this model is lighter than many.
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.
Credit: Bevan Waite
Warmth
We can't deny how warm the Deep Cover is. 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.
Credit: 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 durable nylon material and is somewhat water-resistant, but again, not waterproof like a true rain jacket. It performed as intended in light snow, but after a short period of rain and heavy snow, it started to saturate. Moisture compromises the down 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.
Credit: 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 after a long day on the mountain.
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 has a slight sheen.
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".
Credit: 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 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.
Credit: 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, almost negating the need for gloves.
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!
Credit: Bevan Waite
One interior media pocket with a zipper is perfect for a cell phone or keys. The main zipper is double-sided, allowing more movement or letting 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.
Should You Buy the Rab Deep Cover Parka?
This competitor is a steal and would make an excellent addition to any array of jackets. 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. However, from its simple look to the beautiful faux fur ruff around the hood, Rab did a great job making sure every detail was well executed, and this is an excellent jacket for those who frequently find themselves out in cold but dry conditions.
What Other Winter Jackets Should You Consider?
Simply put, we love the Rab Deep Cover. The incredibly warm and lightweight jacket has almost everything we look for in a winter coat, but if it's not cutting it for you, a similar jacket to look at is the Marmot Montreaux. If you live in a climate where the snow is wet and heavy, waterproofing may be a higher priority for you. In that case, the The North Face Arctic Parka is your best bet while staying in this price range.
—
Liz Williamson
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