Outdoor Research WS Gripper Gloves

Field Report

March 1, 2004

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Reviewer Information

Product Information

Field Test Results

Testing Strategy

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Reviewer Information & Background

I started backpacking 21 years ago, mostly 3 day trips with at least one 7 day trip per year.  By backpacking, I’m referring to summer, winter camping, and fall hunting.  About half my trips are light weight solo and the other half with my family.  I own a llama that was purchased when my 3^rd child was 2, some 10 years ago.  This allowed me to continue backpacking as a family activity.  When I’m not with the family/llama I tend to take less-traveled trails or bushwhack the hard mountainous terrain in and around Idaho.  In recent years I’ve begun substituting a collie for the llama.

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Background Applicable To This Test

Next to backpacking, cross-country skiing and winter camping rank at the top.  My knees can't handle the telemark, but give me a destination and I'm off trekking in the snow.  With that said, these gloves will be given the endurance test of snow, ski poles, and pole straps.  The pole strap wears heavily between thumb and forefinger bridge, because of the strap that is utilized during the push.

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Product Information

Maufacturer:	Outdoor Research	MSRP:	$45.00 (US)
Model:	WS Gripper Gloves	Listed Weight:	N/A
Year of Manufacture:	2003	Measured Weight:	3.4 oz (96 g)
Color:	Black	Size:	Unisex Large
URL:	http://www.outdoorresearch.com/

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Field Test Results: Field information and testing has been about 70% Nordic skiing, 20% snowshoeing, and 10% biking.  Skiing has consisted of 4 trips resulting in 7 days and 3 nights in the central Idaho mountains, 20% of the time it was snowing, elevations between 5500 ft (1600 m) and 7000 ft (2100 m), daytime temperatures been between 20 F (-7 C) and 35 F (2 C), and nighttime temperatures down to 10 F (-12 C).  Biking has been around town with temperatures in the low 30s F (0 C). 

It took me a couple of days of skiing before I appreciated the OR Gripper Gloves.  Initially they didn’t appear to be any warmer than my medium weight wool gloves, but later proved to be superior.  I dress light with just a pair of pants and long sleeve shirt, thus my fingers feel the cold as soon as I'm not exercising.  When the temperatures were in the low 20s F (-7 C) my hands got cold when starting out or when I stopped exerting myself.  This was true of both the wool and OR Gripper.  While snowshoeing in the mid 20s F (-7 C)  the OR Gripper gloves outperformed the wool and provided more than adequate warmth so long as I'm moderately exercising.

Determining which glove was warmer was hampered by the sleeve length of my clothing.  The OR Gripper has a shorter cuff than I’m accustomed too and my wrists were exposed while skiing.  When it came to telemarking and falling down the OR Gripper far exceeded the wool gloves.  Snow does not stick to the OR Gripper and my hands stayed considerably drier, thus warmer.

Because the OR Gripper is such a snug fitting glove I repeatedly noted that they are more difficult to put on when your hands are wet as compared to looser fitting wool gloves.  On the other hand they are great for sliding into ski pole straps and the dexterity is such that I didn't take them off as often.  I noted that the SureGrip material does provide superior grip and protection to that of wool.  Regardless if your hands are wet or dry you don’t have to grip objects as hard as with gloves lacking the SureGrip material.  This was most noticeable when skiing without pole straps, which I do when going through trees or brush.

As for biking, the Gore WindStopper performs well.  Even though I haven’t had much opportunity to test them in this capacity they appear to perform well and block wind.

Durability: As per my initial report, I was concerned about durability and how they would hold up to the ski pole strap between thumb and forefinger.  Sign of wear is minimal, as the SureGrip material and stitching has performed well.  The OR Grippers have outperformed my wool gloves which are showing signs of thinning.

One disadvantage of the fleece over wool is that of handling hot cooking utensils while winter camping.  With wool, I don’t give it much thought about burning a hole in the material, but with fleece I would suspect they would melt.  I had to be careful about not using them as pot holders.  

Pros:

 - Repel snow

 - Durable

 - SureGrip has superior gripping

 - Fit perfectly

 - Stylish

Cons:

 - Cuff could be a little longer

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Testing Strategy:  I have at least a few more days of Nordic skiing or snowshoeing this season and a 3 day trip in which to put them to the test.  The OR Grippers and over-mitts will be my only pair of gloves, as I will no longer be taking the wool gloves as comparisons.  As per my initial report, if they tested well they would advance to back country overnight gear, and that they have.  Biking will be starting up soon and I’ll have the opportunity to test them down to the mid 30s F (0 C) while commuting to work.

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