Outdoor Research WS Gripper Gloves

Initial Report

December 23, 2003

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Reviewer Information

Product Information

Initial Impressions

Initial Testing

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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INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

 

Packaging and Package Contents: The Outdoor Research WS Gripper Gloves arrived in good order, packaged in a poly shipping bag.  They and the product label were quadruple attached with nylon/plastic fasteners.  The product label provides a quality description of the gloves, stating they are constructed with Gore Windstopper Fleece, Curved Fingers and Boxed Construction, Suregrip Reinforcements, and Lycra-Bound Cuff.

Overview Of Materials, Construction, and Features: Upon pulling the gloves out of the shipping container, I thought they were neoprene.  They reminded me of a pair of Kevlar reinforced kayaking gloves that I have.  This is my first exposure to Gore Windstopper Fleece, and I'm impressed by the fleece density.  Outdoor Research describes the fleece as "Combining W.L. Gore's totally windproof and highly vapor permeable WindStopper™ membrane with soft, warm, and quick drying Dyersburg polyester fleece resulting in an outstanding fabric for fuzzy headwear."  The fleece inner and outer surface are the same, a very smooth texture.  The gloves are very classy looking and could be used as a dress glove.

These gloves are fully-boxed, meaning there are 4 stitch lines running the length of the each finger that creates a form fitting, non-binding fit.  The gloves are anatomically curved and reinforced with Suregrip on the palm, thumb, and first two fingers.  Upon close inspection of the Suregrip, I noticed that it is straight stitched and backed up with a zig-zag stitch.  I particularly like the generous Suregrip extending up between thumb and forefinger, as this will take a beating while skiing.  Stitching and construction throughout the glove look supurb.  Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I've tried to capture the Suregrip. 

Fit and Comfort: I generally wear a men's medium, but because these are sized as unisex, the large fits great and could accommodate those with a little longer fingers than myself.  They are snug but because of the anatomically curve construction and stretch of the fleece they appear to be perfect.  Because of my small frame, they could use a little more lycra in the wrist, but  I would not have noticed it, had there not been the "Lycra-Bound Cuff" description on the label.

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Initial Testing:  Any similarity these gloves had to my neoprene kayaking gloves stopped when it came to the water test.  I took one glove and completely filled it with water.  It leaks like a sieve and was able to ingest a full force kitchen facet stream without overflowing.  After wringing it out and squeezing it dry in a towel, it had doubled in weight; the glove went from 1.7oz (48 g) to 3.4oz (96 g).  I then took the dog for a jog/walk for 30 minutes at 25^oF (-4^oC), and even though I developed a slight body perspiration, my wet hand got cold.  I did notice that swinging my arm, thus developing a wind, had negligible effect on temperature.  I then tried the same thing with my wool gloves, and the wet hand gets considerably colder, especially when swinging the arm.  Time required to dry the gloves at 70^oF (12^oC), and at 60% humidity was 18 hours.

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