Rab Women’s Pivot Gore-Tex Gloves review

The Rab Pivot gloves are not the warmest within our guide to the best gloves for hiking and walking, but they are the most dextrous gloves I’ve tested, which meant that I was reaching for them time and again when heading out into the hills. The outer fabric is a stretch soft shell across the backs of the hands, and butter-soft Pittards leather on the palms and fingertips.

Price: $145 / £120 | Weight: 210g (L) | Materials: Gore-Tex, Pittards leather, PrimaLoft Gold insulation | Features: Nose wipe, knuckle padding, long gauntlet with drawcord closure, wrist loops | Size: S,M,L | Men’s version: Yes

The insulation is lovely compressible PrimaLoft Gold, and a silky microfibre lining, which wicks really well, keeping fingertips dry and warm even as the moisture starts to build inside the glove. I found them warm enough for most activities, including walking and climbing. There are padded knuckles that provide some protection for winter climbers, and at this price that is the target market, but I think this is a great all-round glove too if the budget will stretch.

I like the long gauntlet, which will both layer under a shell in wet weather, or over in cold, dry or powder snow conditions. The fit is narrow, and the fingers are a bit short – the gap between the fingers doesn’t quite cut it so it can feel a bit like having webbed fingers.  I quickly got used to this, but it’s worth getting your hands in a pair before committing to buy. Despite this, I found them to be reliable waterproof gloves that I can wear all day without taking them off, ensuring warm fingers no matter what the mountain conditions are.