Powder Review: Rab Women’s Khroma Kinetic Waterproof Jacket and Pant
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In a nutshell
Stretchy, breathable, and lightweight, the Rab Women’s Khroma Kinetic Waterproof Jacket and Pant are great pieces for stormy backcountry skiing but can stand up to inbounds days as well.
Size Tested: Medium
Materials: 20D Proflex™ Stretch Woven Nylon 3-layer Waterproof Technology with fluorocarbon-free DWR
Waterproofing: 20K/25K
Pockets: Three external zip pockets, one zip and one mesh internal pocket
Vents: Rear arm zip vents
Weight: 476 g
Adjustable hem, adjustable ski-compatible hood
Size Tested: Medium
Materials: 20D Proflex™ Stretch Woven Nylon 3-layer Waterproof Technology with fluorocarbon-free DWR
Waterproofing: 20K/25K
Pockets: Two thigh, one rear
Vents: Outer thigh zip vents
Weight: 550 g
Reinforced crampon patches, internal gaiter, snap adjustment at hem to accommodate ski boots
Intro
Rab says that the Khroma Kinetic Waterproof Jacket and Pant offers “the protection of a hardshell with the comfort of a softshell.” The in-house Proflex™ fabric is supposed to pull moisture through the system more efficiently than a traditional hardshell while still being weatherproof.
Light and packable, this Rab kit is designed for ski touring and ski mountaineering “when mobility, weight, and breathability are the highest priority.”
Fit
The Khroma Kinetic Jacket in size medium has a more freeride-oriented fit than I expected from a Euro brand–it has a long hem and sleeves, unlike some of the tighter, shorter jackets that some brands from across the Atlantic send our way. The Khroma Kinetic Pant in size medium is comfortable but a touch large and baggy for me at 5’5” and 140 pounds. If you’re not positive which size you are, it’s a good idea to check Rab’s sizing chart, which seems accurate based on my experience.
Pockets and Features
Instead of hand pockets, the Khroma Kinetic Jacket has two capacious chest pockets, big enough for a small camera or skins and with mesh backing for extra ventilation. Inside one chest pocket is a small zipped pocket for valuables. There’s a pass card pocket on the upper arm, and the vents are on the back of the arm instead of under the armpit, an unusual placement that theoretically makes them easier to access with a backpack on, although I had trouble finding the zipper sometimes. The hood has a stiff brim and is adjustable. The jacket does not have a powder skirt, which is just fine with me on a touring jacket, but some may miss it.
For me, the Khroma Kinetic Pant has just the right layout and number of pockets: two hand pockets, one rear pocket, a thigh pocket with a beacon tether, and outer thigh vents. It has lightweight (and color contrasting!) internal cuff gaiters and a scuff guard to protect the cuffs from boots and crampons.
Performance
The weight of the Khroma Kinetic Jacket and Pant are noticeable–at 476 g and 550 g, respectively, this is a pretty darn light kit, although not ultralight, since it has a few more features than a barebones alpine or fully backcountry-oriented jacket. (The Khroma Kinetic isn’t even Rab’s lightest ski jacket; the Khroma Cirque GORE-TEX Jacket shaves off another hundred grams.)
That lack of heft is clear on the uphill–the pants disappear and the jacket packs away easily. The fabric is supple and stretchy but feels quite durable.
The Khroma Kinetic kit certainly blocks weather–I rode lifts on a snowy, windy day and never got wet wearing these pieces, thanks to the three-layer shell fabric and fluorocarbon-free DWR treatment. I also wore this kit out on a rapidly warming day, under the intense April sun, and found that it was plenty breathable and that I could absolutely dump heat using the pit and thigh vents.
If you’re looking for an ultralight backcountry kit for big spring missions, the Khroma Kinetic kit is probably overkill; softshell pants and a less weatherproof jacket would work in that scenario. If you’re planning to mostly ride lifts you might want a heavier, more fully-featured jacket and pants, although these pieces perform admirably at the resort. In other words, it’s a good do-everything set for skiers who don’t want to buy multiple expensive outerwear kits.
Who is the perfect skier for the Rab Khroma Kinetic Jacket and Pant?
With a light and breathable fabric that does well on climbs while shielding you from even the most rugged elements, the Rab Khroma Kinetic kit is ideal for a skier who spends the majority of her winters walking uphill for deep powder.
