Built to Send: Rab Khroma Ski Collection Is All About the Backcountry

With the Khroma collection, Rab turns its attention to a ski line built to keep up with off-piste adventure.

Rab built its reputation on decades of tough mountaineering apparel. It takes that approach to its new ski-specific collection, designed for skiers who like to earn their turns the hard way.

The Khroma line uses the latest tech from GORE-TEX for durable and breathable waterproofing in its pinnacle shell, and Rab’s proprietary tech in other jackets and pants across the rest of the lineup. The result is a range of mountain apparel that can keep skiers warm and comfortable when their ascents include skinning or getting personal with rocks and another rough terrain.

Rab’s Dedicated Ski Line

The Khroma collection — of jackets, bibs, pants, and gloves — is made for those who ascend high peaks by climbing or skinning. Rab’s informed approach to uphill adventure carries over into this ski line with a range of options for different backcountry needs.

The Khroma GTX jackets and bibs emphasize durability in the waterproof-breathable membrane. These pieces serve as the highlight of the new line of GTX shells and are built with big powder on big mountains in mind.

For blustery-cold days on top of the mountain, the Khroma Kharve jackets offer an uphill-friendly warmth-to-weight ratio. Synthetic Stratus sheet insulation traps warmth under the GORE-TEX INFINIUM WINDSTOPPER face fabric, which weighs less than 17 ounces. Each Kharve jacket also has a helmet-compatible hood with a wired peak, internal pockets, and a fully adjustable hem.

The Khroma Kinetic jackets and pants use a new woven version of Rab’s Proflex stretchy shell material (20K/30K). Designed with all-day alpine tours in mind, the Kinetic apparel doesn’t use the same reinforcements as the GTX shells. This saves weight — and price. Lighter, stretchier materials create more freedom of movement with a fully adjustable waist, side vents for dumping heat on the way up, and a snow cuff to keep powder on the outside.

The Khroma Tour windproof softshell pants use Rab’s stretchy, double-weave Matrix fabric. The brand designed these for mobility on steep rock as well as deep powder, including a DWR coating for weatherproofing. Other ski-minded features include an adjustable waistband, secure zipped pockets, and pull-on snow cuffs.

And the Khroma line includes three styles of gloves as well. From precision-minded Freeride to the Tour Infinium gloves, the range mixes different GORE-TEX weatherproofing, Pittard’s leather reinforcements, and premium insulation.

Rab Premiere Piece: Khroma GTX Jacket

Atop the Khroma range sits the Khroma GTX Jacket. It combines GORE-TEX’s most breathable and durable technologies for a shell that can withstand mountain weather and conditions. Specifically, Rab uses 70-denier GORE-TEX PRO Most Breathable in the jacket’s body and bolsters it with Most Rugged in areas most prone to rubbing and wear.

The adjustability of the fit and full pit zips add to the comfort and quick temperature control available.

Rab built the companion Khroma GTX bibs similarly. The brand used reinforced fabric in the seat, knees, and cuffs to prevent scrapes from boot buckles or skis. Ski-specific zippered pockets can hold electronics.

A Full Line of Ski Apparel

In all, the Khroma collection has backcountry adventure at the forefront of its design. Be it big-mountain ascents or touring with steep downhill thrill throughout, all that effort will surely work up a sweat. For this reason, the Khroma collection emphasizes breathability in its fabrics. From there, Rab focused the pieces on durability or mobility depending on the climate and use.

So the Khroma GTX is reinforced in areas to protect the shell while the Khroma Kinetic stays lighter and more mobile. The Khroma Tour, meanwhile, is the softshell companion.

Anyone who brings crampons and ropes to go skiing should look into the collection. Rab is not shy about approaching its backcountry skiing design as a continuation of its mountaineering heritage.

This article is sponsored by Rab. See the full range of the Khroma ski collection and other Rab apparel here.