Product Information
Manufacturer: Outdoor Research
Manufacturer URL: http://www.outdoorresearch.com
Year of Manufacture: 2004
Country of Manufacture: China
Style: Work gloves
Model: AirFoil
Size: Large
Material: Gore WindStopper N2S Fabric
Color: Black
Listed weight: 1.9 oz (54 g) pair
Actual weight: 1 oz  (28 g) each glove (my scale does not show tenths of an ounce)
MSRP: U.S. $39.00
December 14, 2004

Product Overview
    From the Outdoor Research website:
         "Whether it’s a warm day on a glacier or a cold day on granite, AirFoil Gloves™ perform. 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. Gore N2S™ WindStopper® fabric sheds snow, rain, and wind. A smooth, stretch-woven face repels snags and stretches with your hand. The Pattern Grip palm is durable, yet provides ample traction on an ice axe or granite. When alpine conditions are perfect, or as close to perfect as you’d expect, these are the gloves to have."

    The gloves came on a cardboard hang tag.  The hang tag gives information on the Gore Windstopper N2S Fabric, siliconized pattern on the palm and fingers for a non-slip grip and low profile, and slight stretch to enhance dexterity.  The Windstopper fabric is advertised as being completely windproof, yet remaining breathable.
    The gloves  do have a grid pattern on the palm and fingers for traction.  The grid pattern is made up of sets of slightly raised silicone lines on the glove.  The cuff is more of an extension of the glove as it is the same stretch at the rest of the glove.  Attached to the cuff is a clip that can be used to attach the gloves to one another.  I like this feature because I won't lose one glove and be left with one cold hand.

Initial Impressions
    Once I removed the gloves from the hang tag, I inspected the gloves.  They are very light and thin.  From the product hang tag, I expected them to feel heavier and thicker due to the website saying that the gloves are ideal for climbing on granite.  All of the stitching is nice with no loose ends.  The grid pattern is indeed low profile and covers the entire palm and fingers.  I assume the grids on the gloves are for traction while grasping objects.
    Upon sliding my hands into the gloves, I discovered a close, but comfortable fit.  The sizing given on the website allowed me to pick the correct size gloves for my hands.  I simply measured the circumference of my hand and the length from my longest finger to the bend in my wrist.  The fingers of the gloves are precurved for comfort.  The seams are located on the inside of the gloves, but are not uncomfortable.  There is an elastic band stitched into the glove at the wrist to provide a closed cuff.  Initially, this appears to be effective.  The material gives and stretches with my hand when I make a fist or grasp onto something like a hiking pole, without feeling tight or restrictive.
    Overall, the gloves seem to meet my expectations based on the website information and hang tag.

Planned testing
    The AirFoil gloves will be worn on cold mornings on my way to work.  They will also accompany me to Joshua Tree National Park for backpacking and various day hikes in the San Bernardino Mountains and the Mojave National Preserve.  The gloves will worn while using a hiking pole and during rock scrambles in Joshua Tree and Mojave Preserve.  Elevation will range from 2800 ft (850 m) to 7000 ft (2100 m).  Temperatures will range from just below freezing to 70 F (21 C).


I will be looking at some of the following things:

• Warmth - My hands get very dry during the winter months and I typically wear gloves even on mild days to prevent this.  Will the gloves keep my hands warm and prevent my hands from drying out?
  
• Comfort - Will the seams inside the glove irritate my hands?
  
• Fit - Does the material retain its close, but stretch fit?
  
• Washing - The tag on the gloves says to "Machine wash cold.  Wash seperately.  Use Powdered detergent.  Do not use bleach.  Do not use fabric softener.  Hang dry."  I use a tech wash made by Sawyer or NikWax on all my outdoor performance clothing.  Will this affect the gloves?
  
• Wind proofing - Does the claim of being completely wind proof hold true?
• Breathability - Will my hands remain dry, or become soaked within the gloves?
  

Reviewer
Name: Scott Downard
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft (1.83 m)
Weight: 205 lb (93 kg)
Email address: rookthepagan@verizon.net
City, State, Country: Apple Valley, California, U.S.
Date: December 14, 2004

Backpacking Background
    As a teenager, I did a lot of backpacking and hiking with the Boy Scouts.  After I turned 18 and I left the Scouts, I abandoned backpacking.  Ten years later, when I was 28, I started getting interested in backpacking again.  I started buying gear to replace the old stuff from my teenage years.  I hike in the local mountains and desert areas.  I hike mostly in the spring and fall in moderate weather.  Some rain is encountered.  I primarily do day hiking and short term (i.e. one to four nights) backpacking excursions with some five day trips.  I like to hike fast and light while backpacking.