Reviews > Clothing > Gloves > Outdoor Research Air Foil Gloves > James Triplett > Long Term Report

Long Term 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:

Test Results:
Fit and Comfort:

As stated in my Initial Report, the size Large AirFoil gloves fit me loosely but they are the proper length.  For cold weather use I have used the AirFoils over some inexpensive cotton/nylon stretch-to-fit gloves.  This fit is nice as there is little excess glove material and the AirFoils seem snug and comfortable.  Additionally, they are quite warm in this configuration.  I have used them in sub-zero temperatures (below -18 C) and my hands have remained comfortable.  In warmer weather I have used them as a single layer glove.  The excess material can be an issue here, as pulling hard on ropes while inflating a hot-air balloon (for example) can cause the glove material to bunch and pinch.  That being said, they are still comfortable and the slightly loose fit allows for some air circulation in warmer conditions.

As mentioned above, I have used the Outdoor Research AirFoil gloves for all my gloved activities since this test started.  This was not out of necessity to adequately test the gloves, but rather because I liked them and enjoyed wearing them.  For warmth the gloves work excellently with a pair of liner gloves for snow-shoeing with trekking poles.  The patterned grip provides me with a sturdy grasp of the poles.  For other hiking and camping uses the gloves work extremely well, and one of the features I like the best, is that I can easily roll them up and stick them in the smallest pocket on my backpack or in my jacket.  The light weight and small size make them ideal for my backpacking adventures.  Beyond that, the AirFoils are also excellent work gloves.  In cold weather they have provided me with warmth and protection for activities such as splitting wood (with an axe) and shoveling snow (with a snow shovel).  In warmer weather I have used them for pulling fence posts, pulling weeds, and they are now part of my gear for the hot-air balloon crew which I recently became a part of.

I have never washed the AirFoil gloves, and yet they look like new.  When they get dirty I simple continue to wear them, and as they become totally dry, a simple rubbing of my hands together makes them clean again.  As you can see in the picture below, the textured grip looks unfazed even after six months of fairly heavy use.  I had originally thought that the grip pattern would come loose, or wear down, but neither has occurred.

Reviews > Clothing > Gloves > Outdoor Research Air Foil Gloves > James Triplett > Long Term Report