Long-Term Report: Outdoor Research WS Gripper Gloves
Date: May 10, 2004 Manufacture Information Name: Outdoor Research Website: http://www.outdoorresearch.com/	Product Information Manufacture: Outdoor Research Model: Outdoor Research WS Gripper Gloves Year of Manufacture: 2003 Color: Black Size: Unisex Large MSRP: $45.00 (US) Listed Weight: N/A Measured Weight: 3.4 oz (96 g)

Product Description

On first inspection they reminded me of a pair of Kevlar reinforced neoprene kayaking gloves; the Gore Windstopper Fleece is very dense fleece.  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 hand wear."  The fleece inner and outer surface are the same, a very smooth texture.

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 zigzag stitch.  I particularly like the generous Suregrip extending up between thumb and forefinger, as this will take a beating while Nordic skiing.  The stitching and construction throughout the glove look superb. 

Summary

Didn't have much opportunity to use the gloves since my Field Report, as Spring bypassed Idaho and the weather went from winter to early summer with record highs.  I did get in one more Nordic ski trip, and the gloves preformed as described in the my field report.  Fortunately I have since had many opportunities to use the gloves for biking to work in the morning. 

Next to backpacking, cross-country skiing and winter camping rank at the top.  My knees can't handle hard telemark, but give me a destination and I'm off trekking in the snow.  With that said, these gloves handled nearly a season of Nordic skiing and about a hundred miles of bike riding with only minimal evidence of wear.  I generally wear out a pair of wool gloves each Nordic season between thumb and forefinger bridge due to the ski pool and strap.  Even though I received the Gripper Gloves after the ski season started they have handled the wear with only minimal sign of wear and I'm confident they will fulfill another season or two. 

 

While Nordic skiing the warmth between traditional wool gloves and the Gripper Gloves were comparable.  While actively skiing, the Gripper Gloves provided adequate warmth until at about 20^oF (-7 C).  The Gripper Gloves have a dexterity advantage and snow does adhere to them as it does with wool.  The big distinction came when bike riding in the sub-freezing temperatures.  The Gore Windstopper definitely keeps the wind from readily passing through the fleece, thus warmer hands.  For more detail on my Nordic skiing experiences, visit my Field Report where I go into further detail on comparing the warmth and dexterity between the Gripper Gloves and my traditional wool gloves.

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.

 

Because the OR Gripper is such a snug fitting glove I repeatedly noted that they are more difficult to put on over wet hands than are 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.

During my Nordic skiing I would have liked a slightly longer cuff, because I often missed the longer cuff of my wool gloves.  For bike riding they were fine because my bike jacket has long sleeves with Velcro closures that covers my wrists.

Field Test Locations And Conditions

Testing amounted to about 60% Nordic skiing, 10% snowshoeing, and 30% biking.  Skiing consisted of 5 trips resulting in 9 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 near freezing.

Conclusions

I've been very pleased with the gloves warmth and durability.  I was originally skeptical on the gloves ability to handle the Nordic skiing and wear between thumb and forefinger bridge, but they have held up very well.  They have been a pleasure to wear when telemarking since the snow doesn't adhere to the surface and the superior gripping action of the Suregrip.  As mentioned previously I would like the cuff to be a little longer for skiing.  I can't help but also mention that they are very stylish and provide improved dexterity over wool gloves.

Tester Information & Background

Name: Andy Rad

Gender: Male

Age: 46

Height: 6 ft (1.83 m)

Weight: 165 lb (75 kg)

Email: aisrad@cableone.net

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.  The majority of my trips are in central Idaho, with a few into northern Idaho, eastern Idaho, and eastern Oregon.