After falling in the love with the Outdoor Research Heated Lucent Glove last winter, I eagerly added the Stormtracker Glove to my quiver this year. The ALTIheat technology with rechargable batteries have revolutionized my winters.
Outdoor Research Stormtracker Heated Gloves
Size: XS-XL (men's sizing only)
Colour: Black
Price: $250 USD
Weight: 10.4oz/294g (size L)
Never able to wear gloves in the winter, the heated Lucent glove opened a world of opportunity, freeing my fingers from the confines of mittens. I enjoyed wearing these thicker gloves winter camping, downhill skiing, and ice climbing. That said, I found that when manipulating smaller objects like carabiners and clipping rope, I found the Lucents a bit fumbly so the thinner Stormtrackers were bought to remedy that.
Features:
Outdoor Research Stormtracker Heated Gloves
Size: XS-XL (men's sizing only)
Colour: Black
Price: $250 USD
Weight: 10.4oz/294g (size L)
Never able to wear gloves in the winter, the heated Lucent glove opened a world of opportunity, freeing my fingers from the confines of mittens. I enjoyed wearing these thicker gloves winter camping, downhill skiing, and ice climbing. That said, I found that when manipulating smaller objects like carabiners and clipping rope, I found the Lucents a bit fumbly so the thinner Stormtrackers were bought to remedy that.
Features:
OR Stormtracker GORE WINDSTOPPER fabric and battery power button
OR Stormtracker goat leather palm and zippered battery pouch
Rechargeable batteries that tuck into inner wrist zippered pocket
Large pull tabs for pulling on the gloves.
Pros: Upon first inspection, the gloves look and feel high quality. The easy to use pull tab enables the user to pull the gloves on and off with ease. Full of Primaloft insulation, the gloves can be worn on their own without the battery running. The three battery settings allow the user to customize the heat level (Low-8hours, Medium-5hours, High-2.5hours). The battery is worn on the palm side of the wrist, and never gets in the way or feels uncomfortable.
The gloves work well ice climbing. The leather palm gives good grip on the ice tool and the thinner construction makes manipulating rope, ice screws, and carabiners easy. The power button is easy to use with the gloves on. I generally wear the gloves on 'low' when I ice climb and belay. The gloves are warm enough to wear on their own without being powered if conditions are mild or if I'm moving enough.
Winter jackets can be bulky so I liked how the zipper wrist expansion works for wearing over jacket sleeves. These Stormtracker gloves are less masculine in design compared to the Lucents, which I appreciate as lady. I love the breathable GORE WINDSTOPPER fabric which works well in windy, open areas.
For alpine and winter mountaineering, I don't wear the gloves on the ascent if working hard aerobically. I only wear the gloves if my fingers get 'fumbly' cold. This normally happens on the summit and transition to descent. The gloves are heavier other dry mitts or gloves, but I like knowing that if my hands get cold I have a way to warm them up in a matter of minutes. Otherwise it takes me often 15-20mins of movement before I my fingers thaw out.
Cons: Coming in men's sizing only, I had to downsize one size from my regular glove size. This is no big deal, but it could cause some confusion when ordering online.
The zipper pulled off from the fabric. On my second image above you can see by using the pull tabs, the glove fabric is starting to unravel from the zipper. I will repair this but it shouldn't have happened for gloves with this price tag.
The elastic at the wrist could be tighter. I will admit I have small wrists, but I feel like a stronger elastic or velcro strap at the wrist could make the gloves feel snugger on my hand and less likely to slip off, expecially when ice climbing.
All in all, these gloves are becoming mandatory pieces of gear I bring on every winter excursion either to wear all day or as emergency gear. Highly recommended and yet another amazing piece Outdoor Research technology.
Best uses: Ice climbing, alpine climbing, winter hiking/snowshoeing, etc
The gloves work well ice climbing. The leather palm gives good grip on the ice tool and the thinner construction makes manipulating rope, ice screws, and carabiners easy. The power button is easy to use with the gloves on. I generally wear the gloves on 'low' when I ice climb and belay. The gloves are warm enough to wear on their own without being powered if conditions are mild or if I'm moving enough.
Winter jackets can be bulky so I liked how the zipper wrist expansion works for wearing over jacket sleeves. These Stormtracker gloves are less masculine in design compared to the Lucents, which I appreciate as lady. I love the breathable GORE WINDSTOPPER fabric which works well in windy, open areas.
For alpine and winter mountaineering, I don't wear the gloves on the ascent if working hard aerobically. I only wear the gloves if my fingers get 'fumbly' cold. This normally happens on the summit and transition to descent. The gloves are heavier other dry mitts or gloves, but I like knowing that if my hands get cold I have a way to warm them up in a matter of minutes. Otherwise it takes me often 15-20mins of movement before I my fingers thaw out.
Cons: Coming in men's sizing only, I had to downsize one size from my regular glove size. This is no big deal, but it could cause some confusion when ordering online.
The zipper pulled off from the fabric. On my second image above you can see by using the pull tabs, the glove fabric is starting to unravel from the zipper. I will repair this but it shouldn't have happened for gloves with this price tag.
The elastic at the wrist could be tighter. I will admit I have small wrists, but I feel like a stronger elastic or velcro strap at the wrist could make the gloves feel snugger on my hand and less likely to slip off, expecially when ice climbing.
All in all, these gloves are becoming mandatory pieces of gear I bring on every winter excursion either to wear all day or as emergency gear. Highly recommended and yet another amazing piece Outdoor Research technology.
Best uses: Ice climbing, alpine climbing, winter hiking/snowshoeing, etc
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