Rab Khroma Freeride Gore-Tex Gloves Review

Bottom Line

The Rab Khroma Freeride gloves strike an excellent balance between comfort, durability, and reliable protection for the coldest temperatures. They are warm without being bulky, and the soft fleece interior is soft and comfortable on the skin. The leather palm offers a confident grip on poles and tools, while the tough outer fabric stands up well to repeated use thus far. These gloves shed snow and rain quickly and proved to be completely waterproof during our submersion test.

The Rab Khroma Freeride also has excellent breathability, good enough to keep our hands from getting swampy during steady climbs. The fingers are comfortable and dexterous, making zipping backpacks or buckling boots easy. Extremely warm, we found these gloves to be almost too warm for high-output activities or milder temperatures. So if you run cold or are blessed with Raynaud’s, the Khroma Freerides are an excellent pair of gloves for the coldest temperatures.

While coming at a high price point, the Rab Khroma Freeride is a top-notch glove that delivers top-of-the-line performance. If you need a trustworthy pair of gloves that can handle the cold and wet, are extremely durable, and well-crafted, these are a dependable choice that will hold up season after season.

The Khroma Freeride is at the top of our guide to this year’s best winter gloves, but that doesn’t mean it is perfect for your use case. Check them out and let us know what you go with!

How We Tested

The Rab Khroma Freeride was tested over two months in frigid Alaskan temperatures. From backcountry skis in single-digit temperatures in the Kenai Mountains to hikes and winter excursions around South Central Alaska, these gloves have been thoroughly tested in a variety of settings and conditions to bring a thorough review grounded in real-world testing.

Comfort & Dexterity

For being a heavyweight winter glove, we were pleasantly surprised with the Khroma Freeride’s high dexterity. The fingers are slightly shorter, which helps with grabbing smaller objects, and their slight curve is ergonomic and comfortable.  

The leather is supple and avoids the thick feeling often found in leather construction, and it only gets more supple as we break them in. The interior has a fleece lining, which makes them cozy and soft on the hands. We were able to accomplish most fine tasks like unzipping backpacks and buckling ski boots, but they are just a little too bulky for the finer tasks like tying shoes. For a glove that packs impressive warmth for the coldest temperatures, it’s hard to find much better dexterity.

Warmth

The Khroma Freeride is among the warmest gloves we tested. Worn on a day around zero degrees, we never once felt any cold seeping in, a testament to the impressive insulation these gloves provide. Packed with 133g of PrimaLoft Gold insulation in the back of the hand and 100g across the rest of the glove, these are one of our favorite gloves for the coldest days. 

The soft fleece lining adds additional against the skin warmth to the hands and wrist. The gauntlets are particularly well designed with insulation running up the arm to keep the cold from entering at the wrists. 

These gloves are so warm, we found that they simply become too hot for high-output activities or mild temperatures. Best suited for the coldest days of deep winter, these are perfect for anyone needing an exceptionally warm glove without the bulk.

Moisture Control

As mentioned above, the Khroma Freerides are extremely warm, and we did find our hands getting sweaty in them during high-exertion activities or in more moderate temperatures. However, the sweat was quickly wicked away by the fleece lining, and we never encountered any swampiness or lingering moisture within the gloves. 

The three-layer Gore-Tex Plus Warm inserts are extremely breathable and help aid in releasing moisture while still remaining weather-resistant. While these are not our top choice for a trail run, we do pack them in the running vest as a safety measure in case of an emergency.

Weather Resistance

In our at-home submersion test, the Khroma Freerides did not let a single drop of water reach our hands. We were also impressed that these gloves barely absorbed any water. The three-layer Gore-Tex insert is supremely waterproof, and a durable water repellent coating helps add more resistance. 

The gauntlets cinch tightly around the forearms, and we never had any snow or water enter through the openings. Tested powder skiing in Alaska’s Kenai Mountains, our hands were dry and protected all day long. The Khroma Freeride earns some of our highest marks for their excellent weather resistance.

Durability

We love Rab gear for this metric, and the Khroma Freeride upholds the Rab legacy of well-made gear. These gloves are designed for the long haul, and we have yet to see any signs of wear or fatigue.

It is extremely well built with durable materials throughout. The softshell outer has resisted all scrapes and abrasions, and the leather palms show no signs of wearing out. We particularly appreciate the attention paid to the area between the thumb and pointer finger, which is reinforced for easy gripping of poles. We are confident in the build quality of the Khroma Freeride and look forward to wearing them for many seasons to come.

Should You Buy the Rab Khroma Freeride GORE-TEX Gloves?

The Rab Khroma Freerides are an excellent quality glove that has impressive performance across all our testing metrics. One of the warmest and most weather-resistant gloves in our lineup, it is perfect for the coldest days and the most inclement weather. 

For being very warm, they are still dexterous, albeit not as much as a liner or thinner option. Despite their “oofta” price, the Khroma Freeride is a worthy investment for a high-quality glove with excellent durability that will survive for years of use. If you’re someone who regularly counts on your gloves to keep you protected in the coldest temperatures, then the Khroma Freeride is the perfect choice.

What Other Winter Gloves Should You Consider?

Check out our full guide to winter gloves for other options and budgets.

Hestra Fall Line Review: Another option purpose built for snowsports, the Fall Line is built with top of the line craftsmanship.

Black Diamond Guide Review: Even burlier than the Khroma Freeride, the Guide delivers impressive warmth for the coldest days.

Kinco Lined Heavy-Duty Premium Ski Glove Review: If you love the durable performance of leather but are looking for something more budget friendly, give the Kincos a try.