Rab Phantom Grip Glove

This glove does not keep your hands warm in mild conditions. The grip feature is poor. I wrote to the company and they do not stand by their product. Save your money, $5 store gloves worked just as well.

I tried to give these gloves a chance for over a month. I have had back country experience including mountaineering, hiking, and skiing in Alaska. I do not wear gloves in temperatures at 50°F and sometimes not in the 40s either. This is Alaska; it is a hot day when it hits 70°F.

I was looking for a spring/fall glove when it is too warm for winter gloves/mitts for walking/running. In October at 35°F, I wore these gloves for a run/walk and a half hour later even with running, my hands were freezing. My hands were warmer with no gloves and in the sleeves of my top. Truthfully, I would have been equally as warm in cheap $5 liner gloves from the grocery store.

Before writing a poor review, I contacted the company. The response was that unless I bought directly from the company they could do nothing unless it was a factory defect. I thought feedback would be important to a company. Their response was basically, sorry that you are not satisfied, take it back to where I purchased it and see if I could get a refund there.

Well, there was no defect, but these were poor performing gloves. I could not even unleash my dog with them on — so much for the grip feature. I though maybe that this is how the outdoor gear companies deal with servicing if you have had their product for over a month.

On a whim, I wrote to Patagonia who I have yet to have a product not measure to standards and gave this situation as an example as if it were their gloves. Their response, iron clad guarantee for customer satisfaction, no matter where the product was purchased. In my case it was a reputable local gear shop. Even though I did not buy it directly from Patagonia, they were in a case like this, able to refund in the form of a gift card.

I like to give various companies chances, but if this is the type of service that Rab provides, "no thank you." I'll go back to Patagonia even if it is more expensive than other companies. At least I know that Patagonia will stand by their products and customers.