We fell in love with the Rab Deep Cover Parka immediately. Despite being insulated with cozy 650 fill down, this jacket maintained 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. We like our Best Buy on a Tight Budget, The North Face Arctic Parka II for a bomber waterproof, warm winter jacket. While the Arctic was warm, our Best Buy award winner, the Marmot Montreaux is even warmer and is a bit longer, reaching all the way to our knee.
Rab Deep Cover Parka Review
Cons: Somewhat bulky, not waterproof, some feather & down loss
Manufacturer: Rab
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
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Rab Deep Cover Parka | |||||
Awards | ![]() | ![]() | |||
Price | $257.18 at Amazon | $599.00 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $284.99 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $489.95 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $575.00 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Stylish, incredibly warm, lightweight to down ratio, detachable fur hood | Form-fitting, sleek waterproof and durable, three jackets, ethically sourced and cozy down | Insanely warm, form-fitting, thick down, removable faux fur ruff, double sided full zipper | Warm, durable, waterproof, windproof, breathable, ten pockets, faux fur ruff | 750 fill down, 2-way zipper, sporty and sleek, windproof, warm, super comfortable, lightweight, self-packs into a pillow |
Cons | Somewhat bulky, not waterproof, some feather & down loss | Sleeves are short, uninsulated hood, tight shoulders, no two-way zipper on down jacket, pockets lack zippers | Heavy, somewhat bulky, limited mobility, some feather loss, not waterproof | Runs big, baggy appearance, hood isn’t removable, finicky zipper | Not waterproof, hood doesn’t detach, finicky zipper |
Bottom Line | A stylish winter jacket that will keep you warm when temperatures start to drop. | Wet, sloppy weather doesn't stand a chance when you're wearing this highly stylish and waterproof jacket. | Serious warmth packed into a budget friendly knee-length parka. | Winter weather won't stand a chance in this warm, waterproof, and windproof jacket. | Bomber windproof construction is packed into this warm mid-thigh length parka. |
Rating Categories | Rab Deep Cover Parka | Tres 3-in-1 Parka | Marmot Montreaux | Fjallraven Nuuk - Women's | Canada Goose Camp Hooded |
Warmth (30%) | |||||
Weather Resistance (25%) | |||||
Comfort (20%) | |||||
Style (20%) | |||||
Durability (5%) | |||||
Specs | Rab Deep Cover Parka | Tres 3-in-1 Parka | Marmot Montreaux | Fjallraven Nuuk -... | Canada Goose Camp... |
Insulation | 650 fill R.D.S Certified Hydrophobic European duck down | 700 fill Advanced Global Traceable Down | 700 fill down with Down Defender | Supreme Microloft (100% polyester) | 750 Fill Power Hutterite White Duck Down |
Hood | Insulated, detachable hood with faux fur trim | Adjustable, snap-on hood | Zip-off, down-filled hood with removable faux fur ruff | Insulated, with detachable faux fur trim | 2-way adjustable tunnel hood |
Length | Above-the-knee | Above-the-knee | Knee-length | Above-the-knee | Mid-thigh |
Pockets | 1 internal, 2 external | 5 (Outer Shell: 2 w/snaps, Inner: 2 hand w/zip, 1 interior w/zip) | 2 internal, 2 external | 2 internal, 2 bellows, 2 hand, 1 sleeve, 2 chest | 2 external, 1 internal, 1 internal stretch mesh pocket |
Weight (size small) | 1.9 lbs | 2.9 lbs | 2.25 lbs | 3.3 lbs | 1.25 lb |
2-way zipper | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Main Fabric | 40D 100% Nylon with DWR coating | Shell: H2No Performance Standard shell: 2-layer, 6.7-oz 100% polyester stretch twill with DWR finish, Inner: 20D 100% recycled polyester with a DWR finish | 100% polyester with DWR treatment | Polyurethane (100% polyamide) | 36GSM, BASECAMP 20D, 100% Nylon Ripstop, DWR |
Unique Features | 650 RDS - (responsble down standards) certified hydrophobic European Duck Down | Three jackets in one | Fleece lined torso, hydophic down | Many pockets, waterproof fabric with lining | Center front YKK 2-way locking reverserved coil zipper, single-handed adjustable hem |
Our Analysis and Test Results
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

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.

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 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 the Patagonia Tres, which does a knockout job in wet, sloppy winter weather. If you live somewhere like Seattle or Portland, the Tres may be the right fit!
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 one of the most 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.
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, but it had the appropriate features we needed to stay warm on some of the coldest days of the season, which we appreciated.
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 Shelburne Parka boasts. 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 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.
— Liz Williamson