Outdoor Research Vert Glove
Initial Report – March 6, 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. |
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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. Most of my hiking and backpacking takes place in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, but I can be found exploring the other wild areas of Washington! In addition to backpacking, I frequent the local ski mountains and have a season pass to the Summit at Snoqualmie.
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.” I hope to verify this claim through this test!
There are three main components to these gloves. The first is the outer Schoeller® Dynamic Extreme® shell. It has a soft slightly rough feel. It is supposed to provide resistance to wind, moisture, snow and abrasion while being highly breathable, flexible and wicking.
The second piece is the working part of the glove, the leather palm. This palm appears to be standard soft leather with a slight texture to provide some grip.
The third part is the light insulation on the interior of the glove. This consists of two fabrics: a brushed (fuzzy) tricot on the back of the hand and a smooth tricot lining on the palm.
The glove also has an elastic cuff to help keep the weather out.
Initial Impressions/Use:
The gloves arrived on a hang tag much the way they would be displayed in the store. The hang tag clearly marks the size of the glove while providing detailed descriptions of the various features. Though there are no sizing instructions included on the packaging the Outdoor Research website has detailed sizing instructions. OR bases glove size on two measurements hand circumference and hand length. Based on these instructions, I needed a pair of size small gloves which I received.
I tried the gloves on immediately and they fit perfect. They are snug but not too tight and my finger tips reach to the very end of the fingers in the glove. The fabric is comfortable to the touch both inside and outside of the glove.
Testing Plan:
I will be evaluating the gloves on the following characteristics.
Warmth:
- What temps are these gloves good in?
- Above freezing/below freezing?
- Will the gloves keep me warm riding the ski lift and while skiing downhill?
- How about while hiking and backpacking?
- Will the gloves retain their warmth when subjected to the elements such as snow, wind, and rain?
Durability:
- How much abuse will the gloves be able to withstand?
- 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?
Fit:
- Outdoor Research lists measurements that correspond with the sizes on their website. Based on this information how true is their fit?
- Are the fingers articulated enough to work a gps, cell phone, light a stove?
Weatherproofness:
- Will the gloves shed the elements as the OR website claims?
- Nothing is worse than wet gloves that are not wind resistant and really cold digits!
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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