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The Rab Khroma Freeride GORE-TEX Glove is built specifically for committed ski mountaineers, freeriders, and backcountry enthusiasts who demand maximum weather protection combined with athletic mobility. CleverHiker recognized it as a premier snowsports glove, reflecting Rab's reputation for technical mountain apparel that holds up against harsh alpine conditions. It is aimed at skiers who spend long days in stormy conditions and need an impermeable barrier against driving powder. The shell combines rugged polyamide and stretch elastane with durable leather overlays across the palm and high-contact wear points. Underneath lies a fully waterproof, highly breathable Gore-Tex membrane engineered to keep out driven snow while venting internal vapor. Rab utilizes mapped synthetic insulation—placing thicker insulation on the back of the hand where exposure is highest, and leaner fill on the palm to preserve a solid, natural grip on ski poles and ice tools. The Khroma Freeride includes thoughtful alpine features like a wide gauntlet cuff that cinches smoothly over ski jackets, removable wrist leashes, and a soft nose wipe on the thumb. While it balances warmth and dexterity better than most heavy winter gloves, it carries a high price tag. Extreme cold may still challenge the mapped palm insulation for skiers who naturally run very cold, but for active big-mountain days, it is exceptionally capable. **Highlights** - Gore-Tex membrane delivers guaranteed waterproof, windproof performance - Mapped synthetic insulation maximizes back-of-hand warmth while preserving palm grip - Robust leather reinforcements protect high-friction areas from sharp ski edges - Extended gauntlet cuff with one-hand drawcord seals out deep powder snow - Integrated removable wrist leashes prevent accidental drops off chairlifts or ridges **Watch-outs** - Premium technical price point makes it an expensive choice for casual resort use - Thinner insulation on the palm can feel chilly on long, stationary lift rides - Overall bulk still requires removal for intricate tasks like phone navigation
Pros
- GORE-TEX insert provides reliable waterproof and windproof defense in heavy storms
- Body-mapped insulation preserves dexterity without sacrificing back-of-hand warmth
- Reinforced leather palm withstands friction from ski edges, poles, and rope work
- Wide gauntlet cuff with one-hand closure seals securely over winter outerwear
Cons
- Reduced palm insulation can feel chilly during long, inactive chairlift rides
- Price point near $180 represents a significant investment for casual skiers
- Leather surfaces require regular maintenance to avoid stiffening over time
Best uses
- Backcountry ski touring
- Freeride skiing and snowboarding
- Ski mountaineering ascents
- Stormy resort skiing
Specifications
- Weight
- 9.3 oz (264 g)
- Membrane
- GORE-TEX waterproof-breathable
- Shell
- Polyamide and elastane with leather
- Insulation
- Body-mapped synthetic fill
- Cuff Style
- Extended gauntlet with drawcord
- MSRP
- Approximately $180
Pricing
We don't publish a price we haven't verified. The retailer links below open the live listing for this exact model.
Full catalog listing & offersBest for
Backcountry ski touring, Freeride skiing and snowboarding, Ski mountaineering ascents, Stormy resort skiing
Where to buy the Khroma Freeride GORE-TEX Glove
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The Rab Khroma Freeride GORE-TEX Glove is built explicitly for technical snowsports, backcountry touring, and big-mountain freeriding. Rather than relying on uniform, bulky insulation like a standard resort mitten, it focuses on balancing storm-level weatherproofing with the mechanical articulation required for transitions, handling ski poles, and adjusting climbing skins. Independent gear analysts, including CleverHiker, highlight the model as an exceptional option for dedicated winter athletes. At the core of the design is a proven Gore-Tex waterproof-breathable membrane paired with strategically mapped synthetic insulation. Rab concentrates thermal fill on the exposed back of the hand while keeping the palm lean, preserving tactile feedback and a natural grip. Heavy-duty leather armors the high-friction contact points against rope wear and metal ski edges, while a wide gauntlet cuff locks out wind-driven spindrift. Retailing near $180, it represents a substantial investment tailored specifically to cold, active days in demanding terrain.
Target Audience and Use
The Khroma Freeride is designed for skiers, snowboarders, and ski mountaineers who spend full days outside of climate-controlled lodge environments. It directly serves users who generate substantial internal heat while moving uphill or aggressively navigating descents, yet still face sub-freezing winds and heavy mountain snowfall. Casual resort skiers who prioritize maximum passive warmth during prolonged chairlift rides may find the glove over-engineered and slightly under-insulated along the palm. Instead, this piece targets skiers who value working dexterity—the ability to buckle ski boots, pull climbing skins, and work backpack zippers without constantly shedding hand protection in exposed terrain.
Materials and Construction
Rab builds the exterior shell using a stretch-woven blend of polyamide and elastane, granting flexibility across the knuckles while resisting abrasive contact with rock and brush. A full Gore-Tex insert sits sandwiched inside, offering reliable wind and waterproof defense against wet, heavy snow. Wear surfaces across the palm and along the fingers receive durable leather overlays, which both preserve natural grip on ski pole handles and safeguard vulnerable seam lines against sharpened ski edges. The mapped synthetic insulation dries quickly when exposed to sweat vapor and resists packing out over seasons of hard compression.
Weather Protection and Warmth
Thermal performance in the Khroma Freeride relies on body-mapping logic. Rab places a heavier loft of synthetic insulation across the back of the hand where airflow and ambient chill strike hardest. The palm side uses reduced insulation to eliminate bulk and avoid hand fatigue when gripping poles. The integrated Gore-Tex barrier provides absolute protection against biting alpine winds and moisture seepage during deep powder days. While this architecture functions exceptionally well during athletic activity in typical winter temperatures, individuals with circulatory issues or those navigating extreme sub-zero cold will need either thermal liners or heavily insulated mittens to stay comfortable.
Dexterity and Alpine Features
Pre-curved patterning in the fingers reduces the muscular effort required to maintain a grip over an extended mountain tour. The oversized gauntlet cuff slides easily over bulky storm-shell jackets and secures using an intuitive single-handed pull-cord system that operates cleanly even while wearing the opposite glove. Rab includes elastic wrist leashes to prevent dropping a glove down an exposed pitch during transitions, as well as a soft nose wipe on the thumb. The mapped palm construction allows fine motor control that exceeds standard thick ski gloves, making gear checks and technical adjustments straightforward.
Durability and Care
The glove's structural longevity depends heavily on the maintenance of its leather palm. Because ski edges, rope friction, and metal ice tool shafts create persistent abrasion, treating the leather with an aftermarket wax or conditioner once or twice per season is necessary to prevent drying and cracking. The synthetic outer fabric is resilient and resists tearing from typical mountain encounters. Synthetic insulation holds its structural integrity under wet conditions far better than down, ensuring that incidental dampness from heavy perspiration will not permanently degrade its loft or warming capability.
Alternatives and Market Value
Around the $180 price point, the Khroma Freeride competes directly against benchmark alpine models like the Black Diamond Guide and the Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski. The Black Diamond Guide offers significantly heavier wool-and-synthetic insulation, making it warmer for static resort days in deep freezes, though it sacrifices considerable dexterity. The Hestra Army Leather delivers exceptional long-term leather durability, but typically features a removable liner system that adds bulk. The Khroma Freeride stands out for users who prefer an integrated, modern technical fit with streamlined bulk tailored specifically toward mobile backcountry travel.
How we picked
We started with a long list of winter gloves and mittens that people actually buy, cut anything that could not clear our baseline for durability and field performance, then ranked the 10 that were left against the same criteria. Rankings are editorial. No brand pays for placement, and affiliate links never move a pick up or down.
- Real-world durability
- How the material, stitching, or steel holds up after a season of hard use — not how it looks new.
- Performance in bad conditions
- Wind, rain, cold, and grit are the test. Anything that only works on a nice day gets marked down.
- Weight and packability
- Every ounce has to earn its place in the pack, but not at the cost of something that fails in the field.
- Ease of use
- Setup, adjustment, and maintenance with cold hands, in the dark, without the manual.
- Value at its price point
- Compared against the closest competitors in the same tier, not against cheaper gear in a different class.
- Repairability and support
- Field-fixable design, available parts, and a warranty the maker actually honors.
Khroma Freeride GORE-TEX Glove — frequently asked questions
- Is the Khroma Freeride GORE-TEX Glove worth it?
- We rank it #8 in Winter Gloves and Mittens. The Rab Khroma Freeride GORE-TEX Glove is built specifically for committed ski mountaineers, freeriders, and backcountry enthusiasts who demand maximum weather protection combined with athletic mobility. CleverHiker recognized it as a premier snowsports glove, reflecting Rab's reputation for technical mountain…
- What is the Khroma Freeride GORE-TEX Glove best for?
- Best for backcountry ski touring, freeride skiing and snowboarding, ski mountaineering ascents and stormy resort skiing. Standouts: gore-tex insert provides reliable waterproof and windproof defense in heavy storms and body-mapped insulation preserves dexterity without sacrificing back-of-hand warmth.
- What are the downsides of the Khroma Freeride GORE-TEX Glove?
- Reduced palm insulation can feel chilly during long, inactive chairlift rides, Price point near $180 represents a significant investment for casual skiers and Leather surfaces require regular maintenance to avoid stiffening over time.
- What are the key specs of the Khroma Freeride GORE-TEX Glove?
- Weight: 9.3 oz (264 g) · Membrane: GORE-TEX waterproof-breathable · Shell: Polyamide and elastane with leather · Insulation: Body-mapped synthetic fill · Cuff Style: Extended gauntlet with drawcord
- Target Audience and Use — what should I know about the Khroma Freeride GORE-TEX Glove?
- The Khroma Freeride is designed for skiers, snowboarders, and ski mountaineers who spend full days outside of climate-controlled lodge environments. It directly serves users who generate substantial internal heat while moving uphill or aggressively navigating descents, yet still face sub-freezing winds and heavy…
- Materials and Construction — what should I know about the Khroma Freeride GORE-TEX Glove?
- Rab builds the exterior shell using a stretch-woven blend of polyamide and elastane, granting flexibility across the knuckles while resisting abrasive contact with rock and brush. A full Gore-Tex insert sits sandwiched inside, offering reliable wind and waterproof defense against wet, heavy snow.
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