Rab Xenon Glove Review (2026) — Best Synthetic Insulated Glove

The Xenon is a synthetic-insulated glove built like a miniature belay jacket: Pertex shell, PrimaLoft Gold fill, and enough loft to matter without the bulk of a mountaineering glove. Synthetic is the right call for damp climates because it keeps insulating when wet, where down gloves do not. They compress into a jacket pocket and weigh 3.5oz. They are not waterproof and the shell fabric is thin enough that rock will damage it, so treat them as warmth rather than protection.

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$65 retail

8.3

/10

TrailCraft Score

What Works

PrimaLoft Gold insulates when damp
Packs down small for the warmth
3.5oz
Good warmth-to-weight ratio
Windproof Pertex face

Limitations

Not waterproof
Thin shell fabric is easily abraded
Limited dexterity for fine tasks
$65

At a Glance

TypeSynthetic insulated glove

InsulationPrimaLoft Gold

ShellPertex Quantum

Weight3.5oz / 99g pair

WaterproofNo

Temp range10-30°F

WarrantyRab limited

Score Breakdown

Value for Money

8.0

Dexterity

7.6

Warmth

8.8

Durability

7.4

Weather Protection

7.8

What Sets It Apart

These are camp gloves more than hiking gloves. Pulled on when you stop moving and body heat drops, they rewarm hands quickly — the same job a belay parka does for your torso. The synthetic fill means a snowy camp does not degrade them the way it would down.

PrimaLoft warmth that keeps working after it gets wet

Who This Is For

Winter campers, hikers who need a warm layer for stops rather than for moving, and anyone in a damp climate who distrusts down.

Note: Prices are current as of August 2026. Some links are affiliate links.

Also Consider

Black Diamond Midweight Screentap Fleece — Best All-Around Hiking Glove, $40
Smartwool Merino 250 Glove — Best Merino Liner, $45
Outdoor Research Vigor Midweight Sensor Gloves — Best for High-Output Hiking, $45

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All 15 options in this category ranked side by side.

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Common Questions

Can I hike in these?

You can, but most people overheat. They are better as a stop-and-camp glove pulled over a liner.

Synthetic or down insulation for gloves?

Synthetic, almost always. Gloves get wet from sweat and snow constantly, and wet down stops insulating.