Rab Vapour-Rise Glove review

The Rab Vapour-Rise gloves have one big plus for long-distance hikers regularly using trekking poles.

The Rab Vapour-Rise gloves have become my gloves of choice for keeping moving in chilly conditions. If you are prone to sweaty hands, then the excellent level of breathability offered will be very attractive.

Quick specs
Price: £48 Weight: 80g (medium) Materials: Matrix™ Nylon Features: Touchscreen compatible, velcro cuff, pull on loop, connection hook Sizes: XS – XL Women’s version: Unisex rab.equipment/uk

A size Medium pair weighs 83g. I found the warmth-to-weight ratio to be very good, and better than expected for quite a thin glove. I was happy with the wind resistance capabilities of the materials. Even on a day of biting Northerly winds in January, I was able to wear these for longer than I expected before reaching for something warmer.

There is no waterproof lining so your hands will get wet very quickly in the rain. The gloves do dry quickly however.


There is a leather palm, and this extends from the top of the wrist to the finger tips. This is quite grippy and highly durable. The palm is reinforced between the thumb and forefinger with a second layer of leather for further durability. This is a big plus for people regularly using trekking poles and this feature will appeal to long-distance hikers.

There is a nose wipe on both gloves.

The forefinger and thumb are touchscreen compatible, but I found this far less effective on the thumb. A small and unobtrusive clip allows you to attach the gloves together for storage. 



The cuff includes a velcro tab which can tightened nicely around your wrist to prevent heat loss, or opened up to allow an air gap if your hands are getting warm. There is some stretch in both directions on the cuff, and it fits very easily under a jacket or mid layer sleeve. I found the fit of these gloves to be small. The fingers are slim and a little on the short side, so I would recommend choosing a larger size than normal.



I am giving these gloves the ‘Best in Test’ badge for their excellent breathability, warmth to weight ratio and durability.

Testing Conditions

James tested these gloves in a variety of conditions during autumn and winter 2023/4 and into that spring in the Scottish Highlands. Weather included 45mph + winds, heavy rain/wet snow, and some unseasonably mild spring conditions. Temperatures ranged from -3°C to +12.5°C. James usually wears size Medium gloves and his hands run slightly cold. Glove weights were measured on James’s own scales.