RAB GUIDE GLOVE LONG REVIEW

If you would like your own WINTER ADVENTURE, we provide an array of winter courses.

 

SPECIFICATIONS

• Matrix™ Main Fabric
• eVent® DValpine™ waterproof insert
• Pittards® Armortan® leather palm and backhand
• Pittards® Armortan® digital leather reinforcement on palm
• PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation on back of hand (133gsm)
• High pile lining on back of hand
• Nylon bemberg lining
• Box finger pre-curved construction
• Single hand drawcord cuff closure
• Back of thumb suede flocking patch
• Detachable wrist leash
• Weight: 250g/8.8oz

When you first look at the Rab Guide glove long, you immediately notice the quality of its design.  The fingers have leather all around, the palm and index finger are reinforced with a leather patch, adding to the longevity of the glove.  Also, the leather is its natural colour, which means that when put through its paces, there will be minimal discolouration.  Unlike one of its competitors, which uses dyed leather, where wear will show up very quickly.

Usually when it comes to gloves, personally, I’m not so fussed to have a nose wipe.  As this tends to be a weakness in the glove.  Rab® have made a goggle wipe, which is useful in winter, but personally don’t find it necessary.  Although I do give Rab® credit, they have used a hardwearing suede, which seems to withstand the abuse a winter glove has to deal with.

WARMTH

Looking at one’s hand, the palm of the hand is padded with tendons and muscles, which create insulation.  The back of the hand does not benefit from this type of insulation, and would be more inclined to suffer from colder temperatures.  Rab®’s solution for this is using a combination of high pile lining and PrimaLoft ® gold insulation, to protect the back of the hand from the cold.  Combined with the Bemberg lining, the Rab Guide glove long is a very warm glove.

 

DESIGN

The curved design on the fingers, helps limit the dead space and excess materials in the palm of the hand when the glove is in full use.  The detachable wrist leashes are very useful. For those who wish to climb with and without wrist leashes.  Giving the wearer the choice.

The Rab Guide glove long is waterproof.  Having used them for digging snow anchors, climbed up snow gullies, navigation in snow storms and general use in damp conditions, these gloves have kept my hands dry.  The large easy-to-adjust cuffs, fit perfectly over your shell jacket sleeves.  Meaning when you are climbing, the cold not-so-refreshing snow and/or spindrift, which pours down the route, is kept out of your jacket.

PROS

• Leather all around the fingers
• Waterproof
• Very warm
• Reinforced palm and index finger
• Hardwearing Goggle wipe
• Really nice fit
• Long goretex sleeve
• Loop to clip on carabiner onto harness
• Adjustable wrist tightener
• Detachable wrist leash
• Pre-curved finger construction
• High pile lining on the back of the hand

CONS

I’m really scraping the bottom of the barrel now, but they need wearing in, which to me is a sign of a quality product.  Take them out a few times, and the leather will be suppler.

CONCLUSION

Rab® have set the bar extremely high with their Rab Guide glove long. These gloves will deal with anything a Scottish winter can throw at it.  A very well thought out design by Rab®, an impressive all round glove.  A tough, dexterous, waterproof work horse.