Reviews > Clothing > Gloves > Outdoor Research Air Foil Gloves > James Triplett > Initial Report

Initial Test Report:

Personal Biographical Information:

Backpacking Background:

I grew up car camping all through my childhood.  I later managed to continuously hike the lower 1/3 of the Appalachian Trail, with an external frame Kelty Tioga (loaded to over 50 lb / 23 kg) and some rather massive Vasque boots.  Currently, I spend many weekends backpacking and camping and am out on a daily basis on shorter hikes.  I try and take at least one one-week backpacking trip each year, in addition to several one to three-night weekend trips.

My style can best be described as lightweight, but not at the cost of giving up too much comfort.  I am continually looking at lighter replacement items for gear I own, which is generally not that hard, since a lot of my equipment is rather dated.  I prefer a tent over a tarp, but have not yet tried a hammock.

Manufacturer Information:

Product Information:

Additional Product information:
    (from the Outdoor Research website - under: Home >> OR Gear >> Handtools >> Gloves and Mitts >> Work Gloves >> AirFoil Gloves™)

Features:

• Gore N2S™ WindStopper® fabric
• Anatomical curve
• Pattern Grip palm
• Elasticized wrist

Intended Usage:

• Close-fitting, thin, all-purpose glove
  

• Available in Black
• Sizes S, M, L, XL

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REVIEW:

Upon Arrival:
The Outdoor Research AirFoil gloves arrived attached to a cardboard hang card in a padded envelope.  There was a Wind Stopper Accessories tag (logo only, no information), and an Outdoor Research sticker included with the gloves.  The hang card provides slightly different information than the list of features on the website.  In addition to the glove size being clearly marked on the card, the following information may be found:

Close-fitting, thin, and windproof glove for all-around use

• Gore WindStopper® N2S™ Fabric
• Built-In Stretch
• Pattern Grip Palm

• Next-to-skin fabric eliminates heat loss
• Completely windproof yet breathable
• Silk-weight cloth creates a light, low-bulk glove

• Smooth face surface sheds snow

• Siliconized pattern is non-slip and low-profile

• Outdoor Research products are guaranteed forever

Initial Inspection:
The Outdoor Research  gloves are very light, very thin, and very black.  The fabric on the back of the AirFoils is ribbed, and the palm area sports little patches of five lines of rubbery gripping material, with each patch at an offset angle to those immediately adjacent.  This is difficult to describe, so please look at the pictures included in this report.  There are a plethora of small tags inside the gloves, unevenly distributed between right and left.  One of the tags with an "L" on it came off as I was pulling on the gloves, as the tags are located on the underside of the wrist area which is where I naturally clasp to pull on the gloves.  The other tags describe materials and washing information; the usual stuff.  On the outside surface of the right glove there is a "WINDSTOPPER" cloth tag sewn into the inner seam, and on the outside surface of both gloves there are "AIRFOIL" tags, with red lettering, sewn into the outer seams.  Embroidered into each glove, on the back of the hand area, is a silver "OR" logo.  It looks sporty, and is elegantly contrasted against the dark black glove material.  The AirFoil gloves also have the obligatory plastic clip which allows one glove to be hooked to a plastic eye in the other.  I don't understand the purpose of the clip for owners who have graduated past the third grade, but it is there none-the-less.  The gloves also boast an elastic band (around the backside of the gloves only) about two inches (5 cm) up from the hand opening.



Initial Fit:
As shown in the pictures below, my hands are long and my fingers are thin.  The size chart on the Outdoor Research web page shows that for the size large gloves, the recommended fit is for hands of 8.5 - 9 inches (22 - 23 cm) in length, and 9 - 9.5 inches (23 - 24 cm) in circumference.  My hands are the correct length for the large size gloves, but narrow enough for the size medium gloves, which according to the chart are 8 - 8.5 inches (20 - 22 cm) in circumference.  Note that the picture below shows my hands measuring just less than 9 inches (23 cm), with a loose tape.  With the tape snugged up the measurement is closer to 8.5 inches (21.6 cm).  What I am trying to illustrate here is that the gloves fit me loosely, but they are indeed long enough.  I believe this illustrates that the sizing chart is accurate, but it also means that the gloves are a bit loose on me.  Since Outdoor Research states that the "next-to-skin fabric eliminates heat loss", I am concerned that I will not be able to experience this.

   

The only picture of the Outdoor Research AirFoil gloves I found on the Outdoor Research website shows the gloves puffed out as if they are being worn by someone with the perfect sized hands.  What the picture doesn't show is the inside of the opening of the gloves, so it is really impossible to tell how thick (or thin) the gloves may be.  Outdoor Research claims "With the comfort and slim profile of a fleece liner, and traction you'd expect from a heavier technical glove, they're perfect for any alpine activity."  Based on that information I was a little surprised to find that there is no thickness to the glove material whatsoever.  They are unlined, non-insulated, and the fabric against your hand is simply the back of the outer fabric.  Other than this, the AirFoil gloves met my expectations based on what I had read at the Outdoor Research website.

Test Plan:
I will be using the Outdoor Research AirFoil gloves as my primary hand protection throughout the testing period.  The average low temperatures in Eastern Iowa range from 10 F (-12 C) in January, and as high as 59 F (15 C) toward the end of the test period in June.   Those are averages, and we often have temperatures well below zero Fahrenheit (-18 Celsius).  Average snowfall for January, February, and March is just less than 7.5 inches (19 cm).  The elevations here are all around 860 feet (262 meters).  The terrain is hilly, wooded areas, with streams, rocks, dirt trails, as well as natural prairie.  I expect to be able to test the AirFoil gloves for their claimed waterproofness in rain and snow, and am particularly interested in their "completely windproof yet breathable" claim.  I will also be evaluating my fine-motor skills while wearing the gloves, as well as the grip achievable with the "pattern grip palms".



Summary:
I hope I didn't convey that I wasn't pleased with these gloves.  Despite fitting loosely and being thinner than I expected, the AirFoils are nice to look at and even better to hold and try on.  They appear to be quite well made, with no loose threads or any hint of manufacturing defects.  The slight curvature of the gloves is pleasing when wearing the gloves.  The side panels on each of the fingers indicate to me that the AirFoil gloves are made to perform, and not just look good.  I am excited about this test series and am anxious to get started.  These appear to be some really great gloves.



Respectfully submitted,

-James T.

Reviews > Clothing > Gloves > Outdoor Research Air Foil Gloves > James Triplett > Initial Report