Outdoor Research Vert Glove
Long Term Report - July 16, 2006
Tester Information:
Name: Jason Boyle
Age: 29
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! |
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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 and field reports.
Summary:
I really like the way the gloves fit and their durability, but their lack of water resistance leaves me reaching for another glove in inclement weather.
Long Term Field Conditions:
I was able to use the gloves on three more trips over the past two months. They were used on an overnight trip to the Tubal Cain mine in the Buckhorn Wilderness in the Olympic National Forest, where the weather was just nasty, rain that turned to snow; a day hike up the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie, and on a mountaineering trip up Mt. Colchuck. The last two trips took place in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, part of the Mt. Baker – Snoqualmie National Forest. Elevation ranged from sea level to 8507’ (2593 m). Temperatures ranged from 60 F to 30 F (16 C to -1 C).
Long Term Test Results:
Nothing really new to report from before. The gloves are definitely not water resistant. During my trip in the Olympics, I wore them while hiking up to Marmot Pass. The weather was just gross; it was raining and then turned to snow. The gloves wet out completely and my hands were so cold coming down off the mountain that I had to take the gloves off and tuck my hands inside my sleeves to warm them up. The gloves do not retain any heat once they soak through.
The gloves have remained durable throughout the test period. I have used them to break up fire wood, pitch my tent and other various camp chores with little problem. I also wore the gloves while using an ice ax and scrambling to the top of Colchuck. They continue to fit my hand well and I enjoy wearing them in cold weather as long as there is no precipitation.
Improvements:
I would like to see truly water resistant glove.
Testing Plan:
I evaluated the gloves on the following characteristics over the past four 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. The heavy wet snow/drizzle I encountered contributed to the gloves poor performance.
- How about while hiking and backpacking? The gloves did a good job keeping my hands warm while backpacking and snowshoeing as long as the weather was good.
- Will the gloves retain their warmth when subjected to the elements such as snow, wind, and rain? The gloves generally kept my hands warm as long as the precipitation was just a drizzle. If it was raining or snowing, the gloves did not keep my hands warm.
Durability:
- How much abuse will the gloves be able to withstand? They have withstood everything that I have thrown at them throughout the test period.
- 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, I was able to perform most tasks with no problems.
Weatherproofness:
- Will the gloves shed the elements as the OR website claims? No.
- Nothing is worse than wet gloves that are not wind resistant and really cold digits! This is a true statement, and 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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