Rab · Waterproof Winter Gloves
Rab Transition Windstopper Gloves
Likely carries risk from Teflon-family coating membranes and water-repellent coating; Rab offers no PFAS clarity.
These Rab gloves use a Windstopper membrane, a Gore technology often based on Teflon-family coating, plus a water-repellent coating-treated outer shell. Rab discloses nothing about PFAS chemistry or alternatives.
The better-graded swap
Patagonia
Patagonia R4 Yulex Regulator Three Finger Mitts
90/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Windstopper membrane with water-repellent coating-treated outer shell
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
Aqua Pure
3M Aqua-Pure AP802B Whole House Filter Housing
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
What Rab Transition Windstopper Gloves is made of, ingredients and materials
Rab Transition Windstopper gloves use a Windstopper membrane, a microporous barrier designed to block wind while allowing moisture vapor through. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating on the outer shell and the membrane itself typically rely on Teflon-family coating chemistry to achieve their water and wind resistance. This construction is standard across premium glove lines, but the Teflon-family coating chemistry raises questions about PFAS content, which Rab does not publicly disclose.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
PFAS
Windstopper membranes and Teflon-family coating-based water-repellent coating finishes commonly use PFAS chemistry. Rab's silence on this issue means exposure risk cannot be ruled out and may accumulate with prolonged skin contact and laundering.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and durability loss
Water-repellent coating coatings degrade with washing and use; once compromised, the glove loses wind and water resistance. This is a functional failure rather than a direct safety hazard, but prompts premature disposal.
What’s reassuring
Allergen risk from synthetic fibers or adhesives
No specific allergic reactions or contact dermatitis cases have been reported for Rab gloves. However, microporous membranes can occasionally harbor dust or mold if stored damp; proper ventilation during storage mitigates this.
Thermal stress on membrane from hand heat
Windstopper membranes are engineered to withstand normal body heat and moisture vapor; no degradation from typical hand temperatures has been documented. Risk is negligible under normal use.
Heavy metals
Rab typically sources synthetic outer shells (nylon, polyester) from suppliers in controlled supply chains. No recalls or test results indicating lead, cadmium, or harmful azo dyes have been published for this model.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Rab is a UK-based outdoor equipment manufacturer with a reputation for durability-focused design. The company does not publish information about PFAS use in its gloves or wider product lines, nor does it maintain public commitments to phase out fluorochemicals. This silence is notable given that many competitors in the premium outdoor segment have begun disclosing or restricting PFAS. No recalls or safety controversies specific to Rab gloves appear in public records.
How it compares in its category
Windstopper membranes are an industry standard in premium insulated gloves and compete directly with Gore-Tex and similar microporous barriers. Most windproof glove manufacturers, including Rab, do not disclose fluorochemical content, though Gore-Tex has faced increasing scrutiny over PFAS. Rab's position is mid-to-premium tier; it is neither an outlier in disclosure nor a leader in transparency. Alternatives using non-Teflon-family coating wind barriers (wool-blend or dense synthetic outer shells) exist but often sacrifice breathability.
If you buy it
Store gloves in a cool, dry place away from heat sources; do not machine-wash at high temperatures or tumble-dry, as this can degrade the membrane faster. Inspect the outer shell annually for cracks, peeling, or loss of water beading, which signals membrane failure. Hand-wash with cool water and mild soap; air-dry flat. If the membrane delaminates or the water-repellent coating stops shedding water, replacement is warranted, as the glove loses its core function.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Rab has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Waterproof Winter Gloves
Patagonia
Better Sweater Gloves Patagonia Women's
- Polyester fleece (recycled)
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Patagonia
R4 Yulex Regulator Three Finger Mitts
- Yulex (synthetic rubber), neoprene-free alternative
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Allergic contact dermatitis (rubber/guayule sensitivity)
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Patagonia
Synchilla Gloves
- Polyester fleece (Synchilla®); no water-repellent treatment disclosed
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Microplastics
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
More waterproof winter gloves grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.