Outdoor Research Vert Glove
Field Report – May 14, 2006
Tester Information:
Name: Jason Boyle
Age: 28
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 6"/ 1.68 m
Weight: 170 lb/ 77 kg
Hand Circumference: 8”/ 20 cm
Hand Length: 7”/ 18 cm
Email address: c4jc "at" hotmail "dot" com
City, State, Country: Snoqualmie, Washington, U. S.
Backpacking Background:
I have been camping and backpacking for about 17 years. My introduction to the outdoors started with the BSA and has continued as an adult. I have hiked mostly in the Southeastern and Northeastern United States. I am generally a lightweight hiker, but will carry extras to keep me comfortable. I have recently relocated to the Pacific Northwest and spend most of my time hiking and backpacking in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, but I can be found exploring the other wild areas of Washington!
Product Information:
Manufacturer: Outdoor Research
Model: Vert Glove
Size: Small received, but ranges up to XL.
Year of Manufacture: 2006
URL:www.orgear.com
Listed weight: 3.7 oz (130 g) for a large pair
Measured weight: 3 oz (85 g) for my size small
**Disclaimer: the closest my scale will measure is in whole ounces**
MSRP: $49.00 US
Color: Black with grey palms
Country of Manufacture: Sri Lanka
Product Description:
OR describes them as “Universal all-mountain glove for cool weather and high aerobic activity. For a more detailed description please see my initial report.
Summary:
These gloves have performed well in mild winter conditions. They seem to be very durable over a wide range of activities. However, the weather resistance of the gloves is severely lacking and they are not useful for any activities that involve significant precipitation.
Field Test Conditions:
These gloves were used at least 13 times over the past two months. I used them for two ski trips at the Summit at Snoqualmie here in Washington. The rest of the uses where while snowshoeing or backpacking in the Mt Baker – Snoqualmie National Forest, specifically in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and the Norse Peak Wilderness. I also used the gloves during a trail maintenance day at Karkeek Park in Seattle, Washington. Elevation ranged from sea level to 4000’ (1219 m). Precipitation ranged from rain and snow to the occasional sunny day. Trails were typically either snow covered or a variation of forest duff and rocks. Temperatures have ranged from 70 F to 30 F (21 C to -1 C).
Field Test Results
Where to begin? I had high expectations that I would finally find a waterproof glove, this was not it. The gloves would wet out rather quickly during a steady rain or snow shower. During one snowshoe trip, I had to cross a bridge where I walked on the railing and gripped the snow that had piled on the bridge (insert your own safety related comment here). The snow was definitely wet spring snow and wetted out the glove in the 2 minutes it took to cross the bridge. I know they are advertised as soft shell wind and water resistant gloves, but based on my experience they are not water resistant at all. They were wind resistant, and did a good job of keeping out the wind. Most of the moisture and precipitation would come through the leather palm of the glove. After the test series is over I will most likely treat the leather palm with a leather waterproofing compound.
The gloves do fit me well and allow me to do most of my routine things without taking them off. I am able to set up my tent, put on and take off my backpack, light my canister stove using a lighter, etc… while wearing the gloves. The gloves have also done a nice job of keeping my hands warm in the mild winter conditions I have experienced. My hands have been nice and toasty while gripping my hiking poles and around the campsite area. They have even kept my hands warm when they were wet, as long as I was doing an aerobic activity such as snowshoeing.
The gloves are proving to be durable. During the trail maintenance day at Karkeek Park, We had to build up a trail using logs, and gravel. Six of us would carry the logs using log tongs for 1/8 of a mile (.2 km) up the trail. I also used a large drill, various hand tools, and a wheel barrow during the trail maintenance. After six hours of trail work the gloves don’t look any worse for wear. I have also chopped wood, and picked up firewood with no impact on the gloves.
Improvements:
Improving the water resistance of the glove would be really nice.
Testing Plan:
I evaluated the gloves on the following characteristics over the past two months, my answers are in blue.
Warmth:
- What temps are these gloves good in? I found that the gloves are best used in mild winter temperatures from just above freezing to about 50 F (10 C), especially if it is a windy, misty day.
- Above freezing/below freezing? Best above freezing.
- Will the gloves keep me warm riding the ski lift and while skiing downhill? They did an ok job while skiing downhill, but did not do a very good job while riding the lift. Both times that I used them skiing it was heavy rain/snow mix and I think the weather contributed to their lack of warmth.
- How about while hiking and backpacking? The gloves did a good job keeping my hands warm while backpacking and snowshoeing.
- Will the gloves retain their warmth when subjected to the elements such as snow, wind, and rain? They managed to keep my hands warm as long as I was moving in precipitation. Once I stopped moving I was generating less heat and the gloves did not do a good job of keeping my hands warm.
Durability:
- How much abuse will the gloves be able to withstand? So far they have withstood everything very well.
- Is Schoeller® Dynamic Extreme® shell and full leather palm able to withstand normal winter abuse such as picking up wood, packs, snow, holding ski/hiking poles? Yes.
Fit:
- Outdoor Research lists measurements that correspond with the sizes on their website. Based on this information how true is their fit? The gloves fit very well and their sizing is spot on for me.
- Are the fingers articulated enough to work a GPS, cell phone, light a stove? Yes, see the text of my paragraph above for a more detailed answer.
Weatherproofness:
- Will the gloves shed the elements as the OR website claims? In my opinion the answer is no.
- Nothing is worse than wet gloves that are not wind resistant and really cold digits! This is a true statement. These gloves have wet out consistently from my first use.
Thanks to BackpackGearTest and Outdoor Research for the opportunity to participate in this test.
Read more reviews of Outdoor Research gear
Read more gear reviews by Jason Boyle
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