Reviews > Clothing > Gloves > OR WindStopper Gripper Gloves > Andrew Claus > Field Report

Field Test Report  - Outdoor Research WS Gripper Gloves

Tester Information:

Tester: Andrew Claus
Age: 46
Gender: Male
Height: 5 ft – 9 in (175 cm)
Weight: 150 lb (68 kg)
Email: andrewclaus@yahoo.com
Home region: Evergreen, Colorado (Front Range foothills of the Rockies)
Date: March 3, 2004

Backpacking Background:

I live and play in the Colorado Rockies.  I have section hiked the entire Colorado Trail.  I hiked Mt. Washington to Mt. Katahdin on the Appalachian Trail in ’02.  I have been backpacking, backcountry skiing, and bike touring for the past twenty years.  I have climbed all 54 of Colorado’s “14ers” (14,000 ft/4,260 m peaks).  I get out on day trips into the high country at least once a week, year ‘round, and on backpacking trips several times a year, including at least one in the winter.  I also do a lot of outdoor travel as a wildland firefighter.

I am a recent convert to a lighter weight style of packing.  I’m not a fanatic ultra light packer yet.  My pack base weight is about 16 lb (7 kg) and dropping.  I use a tarp, a bivy, or no shelter at all.

Product Description: 

Manufacturer:  Outdoor Research
Product:  WS Gripper Gloves
Year of manufacture:  2003
URL: www.orgear.com

The gloves I am testing are black in color, size Large.  Blue is available.  Sizes S, M, L, and XL are available.

The glove material is WindStopper fleece (thus the WS in Outdoor Research’s product name).  The WindStopper membrane is produced by W.L. Gore, and is sandwiched between two layers of Dyersburg polyester fleece.

Two features give the glove its “gripper” name.  The four fingers are curved in toward the palm.  And the fleece is partially augmented by an external layer of “Suregrip”.  This is thin, textured, “rubbery” material on the palm, thumb, and first two fingers. 

There are three seams around the base of the thumb, running down to the cuff.  Each finger is made with boxed construction, using three pieces, with two seams running around the perimeter of each finger. 

The Suregrip layer does not completely cover the digits.  The palm side of each digit is completely covered, but the area between the seams is not.  One half of the inside of the thumb is covered.  The first finger is covered from the web with the thumb, around the tip, and down about a third of the way on the other side.  The second finger is only covered on the tip.

The cuff is bound with Lycra.   The hangtag says that this will feel snug at first, but that this will assist in layering under a jacket sleeve and in keeping out the snow. 

No weight is listed in the catalog.  Weight as tested is 3 3/8 oz (94 g). 

Field Test Report:

I have been using these gloves on weekly backcountry ski, snowshoe, and hiking trips in Colorado’s Front Range.  Elevations have ranged from 7,500 ft (2,270 m) to 13,300 ft (4000 m).  Temperatures have ranged from –10 F (-25 C) to 40 F (5 C).  Wind speeds have approached 40 mph (66 kph), with heavy snow (blizzard conditions).  Fresh snow depths have been up to 30 in (75 cm).  I also took the gloves on three hikes in the Pacific Northwest in February, once in soaking wet and cold rain.

The most extreme conditions I could comfortably wear these gloves in were 5 F (-12 C), 30 mph (50 kph) winds.  My hands became quite cold in these conditions.  I managed two strenuous climbs and one ski descent before having to change to warmer gloves.  I braved the descent for the sake of the test.  I normally would have changed earlier. 

I could comfortably sustain wearing the gloves in 20 F (-5 C) conditions, in moderate winds of 10 to 20 mph (15 to 30 kph).  On another trip, winds of 30 to 40 mph (50 to 65 kph) were a little too much for comfort, but just barely.

I used the gloves on one winter overnight trip.  I wore the gloves during evening camp chores.  I inflicted a minor burn on one finger from handling a hot alcohol stove, but this has not affected performance or appearance.  The gloves worked fine on this trip, though temperatures were unseasonably warm (30 F/0 C).

The gloves seem to remain a little drier a little longer in heavy snow.  This may be due to the Suregrip layer covering much of the gripping surface.  I often end up extricating myself from a fall in deep snow.  I grab tree branches, poles, and skis in the process, thereby quickly soaking my gloves.  I’ve always had to change to warmer gloves eventually.

The gloves worked well in soaking rain, 40 F (5 C), moderate wind.  I never considered changing to another pair.

I have been using the gloves daily for driving.  The gloves work well in the car (no wind, limited time in the cold) at temperatures down to –10 F (-25 C).

I have used the gloves occasionally for some relatively clean work, like splitting and carrying firewood.  The gloves have gotten wet, but have stayed warm in temperatures just below freezing.  I have not noticed any wear or damage to the gloves yet.

The gloves are very nice for their grip.  My ski poles require a twisting motion for length adjustment.  My eyebrows rose first time I did this with the Gripper Gloves—very nice.  This feature works just as well when the gloves are wet or frozen. It’s easy to brush off snow and ice.

The Suregrip fabric does not contribute to my comfort, though.  The fabric increases the bulk of the seams in the thumb and first two digits.  The general feeling is one of discomfort, though I have not noticed any effect on circulation or dexterity. The tag claims that the boxed construction provides plenty of room.  My hands are long for my size, though my fingers are not especially thick.  Those with thicker digits may wish to try these on before purchasing.

The tag warns that the gloves are a little more difficult than normal to put on.  I’ve found that it’s not a good idea to attempt this maneuver while driving.  But the tag is also correct in its claim that the gloves will layer nicely under jacket sleeves.  A few ski descents in very deep powder confirmed the value of this feature. 

The Suregrip layer on my gloves shows a slight construction flaw on the index finger of each hand.  There is a ¾ in (2 cm) long “bubble” at the second knuckle.  This is more a visual flaw, and does not affect performance, wear, or comfort.  The “bubble” is most visible with fingers extended straight out, and practically disappears when fingers are flexed.

I was initially disappointed to see that the Suregrip layer does not completely cover the inside of the thumb.  I compared these gloves to my worn-out pair (of different manufacture), and the largest hole in the old gloves is at the first knuckle of the thumb.  This is from pivoting my ski poles at that point.  On the Gripper Gloves, the Suregrip is seamed right at that pivot point.  So far, this has not been a problem in performance, comfort, or wear.  But I will keep an eye on that area. 

I have not yet needed to launder the gloves.  They do not retain moderate soil. 

There is a clip at the cuff to hook the gloves together.  I have not used the clip.

Pluses are: a) the grip feature works well, b) they’re warm enough for a wide range of moderate winter conditions, and c) they’re the right thickness and bulk for an active day in moderate cold. 

Minuses are: a) they are slightly tight in the fingers, b) they are a little hard to put on, and c) there’s a slight visual flaw in the finger construction.

I plan on continuing testing the gloves in the same manner for the duration of the test period.  For the long term test report, I will report on the gloves’ durability under this kind of use.  I will also be able to report on using the gloves in warmer, wetter, and higher altitude spring skiing conditions.

Reviews > Clothing > Gloves > OR WindStopper Gripper Gloves > Andrew Claus > Field Report