The best-selling Outdoor Research gloves have been updated with touch-screen technology. Now called the Stormtracker Sensor Glove, they are lightweight Windstopper Soft-shell gloves with a combination of warmth, tactility and breathability.
The Outdoor Research StormTracker Gloves are aimed at climbers, ice climbers and ski tourers, although they are also ueeful for mountain hiking in Scotland.
Stormtracker Sensor Glove features:
- Durable
- Water resistant
- Breathable
- Lightweight
- Quick Drying
- Soft and tactile leather palm
- MotionWrap AT construction for dexterity
- Elasticised wrist
- Gusseted entry with locking sipper
- Pull loop
- Touch screen use.
On test: Outdoor Research Stormtracker Sensor gloves
The G-Force put these gloves to the test. He’s the climber and therefore better suited to knowing what keeps hands warm and dry when winter climbing.
He writes: The first thing I noticed was how very comfortable the gloves are. They feel so soft and pliable form the moment you put them on.
The gloves are not waterproof, just water resistant. So there is no waterproof membrane liner. I have found that membrane liners can makes hands really sweaty because they are not very breathable. It’s a bit of a double edged sword: You want gloves to be as waterproof as possible but you also want your hands to breathe.
I think that the DWR treatment is a good compromise. The gloves are water resistant but also offer good breathability.
The gloves are very windproof. This is really noticeable and it means my hands stay warm even when I am caught in a cold storm.
Wearing the gloves on a chilly night-time walk of Ben Lomond.
The addition of the “Tricot” inner liner means the gloves are even more comfy and warm.
The gloves fit really well thanks to OR motion wrap. This means the gloves are made with the hand in a semi-closed position, which reduces the potential bunched up material when gripping an axe or pole.
The dexterity while wearing the gloves is fantastic.
The gloves look and feel very durable so I expect the to last me at least a season. I have found that some gloves wear out after only a few climbs, which is not so good.
The gloves feature a zip closer to tighten at the wrist. I found this slightly fiddly to use but neat and tidy when done up. The pull loop aids pulling on the gloves.
The touch screen feature is on the index finger and thumb. I confess I thought this was a gimmick as I’m not one for selfies or recording everything I do but when Fi asked for a photo during a night Munro ascent in the rain I was glad to find out this also worked perfectly.
I think, in conclusion, I will take these gloves for using when lead climbing but also add a warmer pair of belay gloves to my rucksack for when I am standing still. I expect I will also be using the gloves for much of my winter Munro bagging.
Outdoor Research StormTracker Sensor Gloves for Men and women. Look on-line for UK sales. Approx £60.