Reviews > Clothing > Gloves > SealSkinz ChillBlocker Gloves > David Anderson > Initial Report

Name: David Anderson
E-mail: danderson@backpackgeartest.org
Age: 39
Gender: Male
Height: 6'2" (1.87 m)
Weight: 285 lb (130 kg)
Shoe size: 14
Location: Olympia Washington

I grew up car camping with my family in California, and started backpacking sometime around 5th grade. As an adult I've lived, worked and backpacked in New England, Colorado, Oregon and Washington. I've also gotten involved in sea kayaking in the last few years. My backpacking style could be described as light-heavyweight. I carry the lightest version of the gear that I believe is up to the task.

I have been a user of the traditional SealSkinz Socks and Gloves for several years now. Here in Western Washington, we get a lot of rain for most of the year, and much of my backpacking is done in areas that are considered rain forest. I have relatively hot hands, so I don't wear gloves often, but when I do, it is more important that they keep my hands dry, than amount of insulation they give.

Product Info

Manufacturer: Danalco
Year: 2004
Size: X-Large

The SealSkinz ChillBlocker Gloves are made of three layers. The inner layer is made out of Polartec Power Stretch fleece to provide warmth. The outer layer is nylon/Lycra Spandex for durability. These layers of fabric are laminated to a non-porous hydrophilic film. On the palm side of the glove are little rubber dots to improve the grip.

Unlike most waterproof fabrics there are no microscopic pores for the water vapor to escape through. This film transports the water vapor by attracting it from the air on the hotter, more humid side of the glove (inside), and releasing it on the drier and cooler side of the glove (outside).

There is a standard knit cuff that is not waterproof, and water can come into the glove if it is dunked into the water past the point where the cuff starts.

Initial Report

The gloves that I first received appeared to be in good shape as I looked them over, but when I put them on and dunked them in a bathtub full of water, I discovered a leak in one of them between the thumb and index finger. Danalco promptly agreed to send me a new pair.

The XL gloves fit me fairly well, though the two smallest fingers were a little too long.

The next week, I brought the leaky ChillBlocker gloves with me on a backpack to the Washington coast. I wasn't too concerned about the leak in the glove because I really didn't have any plans to dunk my hands in the water, especially since I knew that the leak was there.

On the four days that we were out, we pretty much ran the gamut of weather. We had sun, hail, snow and thunder, but mostly we had hard blowing rain, and lots of it. I found that I was using gloves more on this trip than I ever had on any other non-snow trip. They did an excellent job of cutting the wind, and I never had any problems with any rainwater getting in through the leak

Shortly after returning from that trip, the replacement glove arrived. These passed the dunk test with flying colors, and I look forward to giving them a good test out in the field.

Test Plan

I will continue wearing the SealSkinz ChillBlocker gloves on backpacks, dayhikes, and snowshoe trips when the conditions warrant. I will be testing them for comfort and warmth, as well as seeing how well the hold up to different conditions.

I look forward to seeing how much of a difference the fleece makes over wearing the normal SealSkinz glove with a liner glove underneath.

David Anderson
www.quiet-like-a-panther.org

Reviews > Clothing > Gloves > SealSkinz ChillBlocker Gloves > David Anderson > Initial Report