Outdoor Research Helium Wind Convertible Liners Review

Outdoor Research’s Helium Wind Convertible Liners are stretchy liner gloves with a Pertex Quantum cowl that may be deployed to make them windproof. They’re good for energetic winter climbing and working once you need to put on breathable gloves for dexterity with out having to hold a separate pair of shell mittens to dam the wind. The shell mittens fold away in a pocket on the again of the hand once they’re not wanted. It’s a neat glove system that’s good for shorter hikes or path runs however isn’t as versatile as carrying separate glove layers you could mix on the fly to attain the identical goal.

Specs at a look

• Glove Material: 80% polyester, 20% spandex
• Shell Material: Pertex Quantum, 100% nylon 30D ripstop
• Touchscreen suitable glove: Yes (they really work)
• Wind-resistant cowl: Yes
• Sizing: runs a dimension small
• Weight: 2 oz/pr (dimension massive)

The OR Helium Wind Convertible Liners have two built-in elements, an internal glove and an optionally available wind mitten that you need to use to cowl the glove when the wind picks up otherwise you need additional heat. This is a pleasant glove system as a result of the wind cowl is sewn to the internal glove so you possibly can’t lose it, however stuffs right into a pocket on the again of the glove when it’s not wanted. I’ve owned gloves like this earlier than and located them fairly helpful for cold-weather climbing as a result of you possibly can layer and de-layer with the wind cowl with out stopping.

The internal glove isn’t very hot and is finest utilized in cool climate versus full-on winter. It is breathable and wicks moisture nicely. It additionally has stretch wrist cuffs, which can assist maintain your palms hotter since your blood flows near your pores and skin there. The palm and ideas of the index finger and thumb are embossed with a silicone sample for dexterity when holding instruments and are totally touchscreen suitable, which is very nice in the event you depend on your cellphone as a digicam or for GPS. There’s additionally a nostril wipe on the again of the thumb.

The wind cowl is made with a waterproof Pertex Quantum cloth which is tightly woven utilizing very effective yarns making it windproof, light-weight, and simply packable. When deployed, the duvet encloses the again of the hand, the thumb and fingers, whereas leaving the palm uncovered with its silicone imprint. This is nice if it’s important to grip a trekking pole or metallic device, like an ice axe or whippet. When the duvet is just not wanted,  it stuffs right into a pocket on the again of the hand which will also be used to carry a warmth pack in the event you get very chilly palms.

Recommendation

Outdoor Research Helium Wind Convertible Liners are finest used for path working exercises and climbing in cooler shoulder season climate, resembling early spring or late autumn. But they’re considerably restricted for hardcore winter use if the liner will get soaked from perspiration or exterior moisture. For all-day hikes in winter climate, it’s higher to hold separate insulating glove liners and wind/waterproof shell mittens so you possibly can swap in a brand new liner when it will get moist. See our information to Winter Hiking Glove and Mitten Systems for an in depth rationalization of easy methods to layer gloves and mittens for prolonged winter climbing and light-weight mountaineering.

Disclosure: OR donated these gloves for assessment.

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