Reviews > Clothing > Gloves and Mittens > Gordini Stretch 2 in 1 Gloves > Test Report by Brett Haydin

GORDINI STRETCH 2 IN 1 GLOVES
TEST SERIES BY BRETT HAYDIN
LONG-TERM REPORT
March 31, 2009

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TESTER INFORMATION

I started backpacking in Wisconsin as a youth, being involved in the Boy Scouts programs. As a young adult, I worked at a summer camp leading backpacking, canoeing and mountain biking trips. I now generally take short weekend or day trips in rough, mountainous terrain, although I have extensive experience in the upper Midwest as well. I take one or two longer trips each year, where I typically carry about 40 lb (18 kg). I prefer to be prepared and comfortable, but I have taken lightweight trips as well.

INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

November 10, 2008

The Gordini Stretch 2 in 1 Gloves

Manufacturer: Gordini
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Manufacturer's Website: www.gordini.com
MSRP: Not Available
Listed Weight: Not Available
Measured Weight: 7.75 oz (220 g)
Color tested: Black
Size Tested: XL
Sizes available: S, M, L, XL

Other details provided by manufacturer:
Shell: Ergotek and stretch twill fabric with genuine leather palm, fingers, and thumb.
Insulation: New Gore patented 2 in 1 multiclimate insulation chambers. Wear with the warm chamber with enhanced grip or choose the warmest chamber with insulated palm. Megaloft insulation with Hydrowick microdenier lining and Gore-Tex Guaranteed to Keep You Dry, waterproof, windproof, breathable insert.
Features: Gore-Tex, Megaloft, gauntlet cinch closure, nose wipe.

Product Description
The Gordini Stretch 2 in 1 gloves, hereafter referred to as "gloves," are insulated, waterproof gloves appropriate for winter use. The gloves come attached to a cardboard display board that lists the product features as well as with three hang tags. Two of these tags list the size while the other is provided by Gore-Tex. It contains information regarding the Gore 2 in 1 technology.

The shell of each glove is made of 100% nylon. The palm of each glove is covered with leather that also extends up the palm-side of each finger and thumb. On the first and second fingers, this leather wraps over the fingertips to provide extra gripping power. On the outside portion of each thumb is a softer material that Gordini calls a nose wipe.

On the back of each finger, there are openings built into the gloves to allow for the fingers to flex more naturally. This material on the back of the hand is made up a 92% nylon and 8% spandex blend and stretches a little when I pull on it. I estimate that it covers roughly one half of the back of my hand. On the first finger there is a Gordini logo stitched into the top of the glove. There is also a Gordini logo on the back of each hand made from a rubber material but that has three slits exposing a reflective material beneath it.

At the wrist, there is a nylon strap that can be tightened by a buckle and secured with hook and loop closures to keep the glove snug around my wrist as well as the snow out. Additionally, the gauntlet of each glove can be tightened with a cinch closure that has a toggle secured in place to allow for one handed operation. The ends of the elastic cord have a square swatch of material sewn in place so that I can easily pull them tight. There is also a clip on the wrist that attaches each glove to each other so that they will stay together when I store them.

The most notable feature these gloves have is the Gore 2 in 1 multi climate insulation chambers. Looking into the opening of each glove, there are actually two places to insert my hands; there are essentially two separate openings, or chambers. There are rubber tabs sewn into the fabric, referred to as the interlining, separating the two that label each chamber as warm and grip. By placing my hand in the warm chamber I can keep both the back of my hand as well as my palm well insulated by the interior interlining. The grip chamber places the interlining on the back of my hand thereby reducing the insulation for my palm but allowing for a better grip. There is still some insulation provided, as the illustration from the Gore-Tex website shows.

A view inside

Image provided by Gore-Tex

The lining itself is constructed of 100% polyester. The website does not have any specific information on the Hydrowick microdenier lining, however, the name implies that it should provide some wicking properties for moisture. I will be sure to report back on this later in the series.

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

The Gordini Stretch 2 in 1 gloves seem like an awesome pair of gloves. First, they are superbly constructed. I could find no blemishes, loose threads or any other sign that the gloves are anything but well made.

I'm always worried about sizing with winter gloves, since my hands seem to fall somewhere in between a size large and a size extra-large with most manufacturers. There is no sizing chart available online, so I decided it would be better to go big from the start. This turned out to be a good choice as the gloves fit, well like a glove!

I really like the option of having two chambers, one for warmth and one for grip. I was unsure of how the system would work, but I have found it easy to use. The rubber tab makes it easy to grip the interlining while sliding my hand into the gloves. The interlining is soft and feels the same as fleece. Finally, there is adequate length for the gauntlet to cover the cuffs of my jackets.

READING THE INSTRUCTIONS

The instructions for the gloves are located inside the right glove on a tag sewn into the lining. It explains that when removing the gloves, extra care should be used and to hold each fingertip. The instructions warn that the lining can actually be pulled all the way out, but that it would be difficult to replace it.

The hang tag provided by Gore-Tex also shares a little information on the care of the gloves. It states to hand wash according to the manufacturer's instructions. It also says that when drying the gloves, I will need to "wring excess water from fingers to wrist," and to tumble dry on low.

SUMMARY

I am looking forward to getting out into the backcountry with these gloves. Over the next four months I plan to take these backpacking in fall and winter settings as well as on day hikes and snowboarding. I am impressed by the leather palm and feel that these should be great all purpose gloves.

Features I appreciate:

• Waterproof
  
• Multiple chambers for warmth or grip as needed

FIELD REPORT

FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

February 3, 2009

Taking a rest with the 2 in 1's

Pike National Forest Colorado - Devil's Head - November 10 - 11, 2008
Elevation: 8,950 - 9,748 ft (2,728 - 2,971 m)
High temperature: 45 F (7 C)
Low Temperature: 25 F (-4 C)
Terrain: rocky and dry.
Weather Conditions: foggy turning to partly cloudy with some gusty winds at times.

Arapaho National Forest, Colorado - Warren Gulch to Chief Mountain Trail- November 23 -24, 2008
Elevation: 8,250 - 11,709 ft (2,515 - 3,569 m)
High temperature: 50 F (10 C)
Low Temperature: 30 F (-1 C)
Terrain: somewhat rocky but loose soil.
Weather Conditions: sunny with moderate winds.

Bandelier Wilderness, New Mexico - Yapahi Ruins Loop- December 27 - 29, 2008
Elevation: 5,900 - 7,500 ft (1,800 - 2,290 m)
High temperature: 55 F (10 C)
Low Temperature: 20 F (-6 C)
Terrain: hard packed dirt and with some rocks.
Weather Conditions: a little rain on the first day, but otherwise sunny and cool.

Other Activities: I have also worn the gloves on five day hikes, eight days of snowboarding and a number of days around town. I have worn the 2 in 1 gloves in temperatures down to -10 F (-23 C).

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

I have tried to use the Gordini Stretch 2 in 1 gloves in a variety of settings so far over the past two months. Most commonly, I have used them snowboarding and snowshoeing. I have found that they fit rather well and are comfortable to use. Although I have size XL, I find that there is the perfect amount of room for my hands. In the past, I have found many large sizes too small but that the XL was often just a bit too big. I have to say, having well-fitting gloves makes performing camp chores a lot easier!

I really like the feel of the interior lining. The warm chamber especially feels soft and comfortable with the additional insulation. The cinch strap around the wrist is easy to tighten while gloved, but it is a little difficult to loosen. The strap catches on the hook and loop portions quite easily, so I usually end up pulling the glove off before loosening the strap fully. My only other concern about the fit of this glove is that the gauntlet does not always cover my wrist. I normally pull the gauntlet over the cuffs of my jacket. There is just enough fabric to cover them, but over time they have a tendency to slide down my wrist exposing the skin between the jacket and glove. I notice this problem more when I snowboard rather than in other activities.

The most intriguing feature the gloves possess is the multiple-chambered system for variable temperatures and to increase the ability to use the gloves while performing camp chores. After two months of use, I am impressed with the gripping ability over other bulkier gloves I have owned. I still cannot grip or perform delicate tasks that I could with perhaps a liner only, but the compromise has been worth it for me.

I have found the gloves to be quite warm, and more often than not I use the grip chamber over the warm chamber. There have been two times when I found the warmth of the gloves alone to be inadequate. In both of these instances, I noticed a decline of warmth late in the day of a full day of snowboarding. Both times, the interiors were saturated with perspiration from heavy riding and the sun had begun to fade. I also happened to notice it most while sitting on the lifts. When used while backpacking and snowshoeing, I found that the gloves kept their warmth better. I think that my physical contact with snow may have something to do with this as well.

fraying of the hook and loop wrist strap

SUMMARY

Overall I am happy with the Gordini Stretch 2 in 1 gloves. These are the most versatile gloves I have owned so far.

Features I like:

• Waterproof
  
• Multiple chambers for warmth or grip as needed

LONG-TERM REPORT

LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

I have continued to use the Gordini Stretch 2 in 1 gloves on two additional overnights; the first was in the White River National Forest outside of Vail, Colorado. This was a 2 mi (3.2 km) snowshoe hike up to approximately 9,600 ft (2,971 m) to view Booth Falls. Temperatures ranged from 15 to 45 F (-9 to 7 C) and the sun was shining almost the whole time!

The second trip was on another overnight in the White River National Forest, south of Breckenridge, Colorado on the Quandary Peak Trail. I hiked about 1.5 mi (2.4 km) in and spent a cold night on the trail where the temperature was 5 F (-15 C) when I went to bed. Temperatures exceeded 40 F (4 C) as the day progressed making it a warm hike, despite the windy conditions. Elevations were from 10,875 to 13,145 ft (3,315 to 4007 m).

I also used the gloves on a snowshoe day hike in the Eagles Nest Wilderness to Lily Pad Lakes, a 3 mi (4.8 km) round trip from the trailhead. The temperature was about 40 F (4 C). Additionally, I have used the gloves snowboarding an additional seven days at various resorts.

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

Thankfully, the temperatures were quite a bit colder over the past two months (yes I am sadistic that way) and I was able to get a better feel for the performance of the gloves in the winter. I still find that I enjoy the look and feel of the gloves. The lining is soft and feels good against my skin. The outer shell of the gloves feel good as well and is not particularly rough when I brush off my face. The material on the thumb is great for wiping my nose and doesn't cause any chafing or discomfort when I do so, even over the course of a couple of days.

I have found that the gloves have become increasingly more difficult to take off as my hands sweat throughout the day. The lining tends to bunch up toward the tips of the fingers, making it a little bit difficult to put the gloves on completely. My biggest concern with this has to do with performing either camp chores or other tasks requiring a high degree of dexterity. For example, if I am trying to work at a zipper I find that I get frustrated and have to take the gloves off in order to finish my tasks. I just can't seem to maintain a good grip on small objects no matter how hard I try. It is times like this that I wish I had a separate liner to at least hold back the cold when I take off the gloves.

One of the intriguing features of these gloves is the two separate chambers for different insulation. I have some mixed feelings about this property. There is no doubt that my hands have felt much warmer in the warm chamber. When the need arises, I can switch to a chamber that is a little less warm. However by the time I recognize that I need to switch chambers, my hands are already damp with perspiration. I don't feel as though the gloves breathe especially well. Once my hands are wet, they tend to stay damp for several hours. While hiking at Quandary Peak, I worked up quite a sweat and it wasn't until the temperature warmed enough that I was able to really dry out. My hands did stay warm regardless.

As I have gotten used to the gloves, I have not noticed snow coming in the cuffs as much as before. Whether digging out a flat area for my tent or taking a fall on my snowboard, the gloves have done a good job protecting me from the elements. I'd still like to see a slightly longer gauntlet so I wouldn't have to be so careful about adjusting them over the cuffs of my jacket. The adjustable wrist straps are also easy to adjust as I have become more proficient with them.

The gloves have held up to a lot of use over the past four months. Initially I was a little cautious about using them with my snowboard, but I haven't seen any damage as a result. Ironically, it was snowshoeing that caused the only noticeable damage to the gloves. My trekking poles had a sharp corner on one of the buckles for the wrist straps. This appears to have been enough to break through since after the hike I noticed the small tear when I was inspecting my gear. The photo below shows a close up of the tear.

Small tear in palm of left glove

SUMMARY

I still maintain that I am happy overall with these gloves. They suit me well for general recreation activities in the winter, such as snowshoeing and snowboarding. I struggle with whether these are a permanent long term solution for winter backpacking. I still love these for day hikes and snowboarding!

Features I like:

• Waterproof
  
• As gross as it may be I love the nose wipe
  
• Warm chamber is noticeably warmer, this helps to regulate for comfort

Reviews > Clothing > Gloves and Mittens > Gordini Stretch 2 in 1 Gloves > Test Report by Brett Haydin