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 lively winter mountaineering and operating 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 after 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 which you can 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 appropriate 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 interior glove and an non-compulsory wind mitten that you should use to cowl the glove when the wind picks up otherwise you need further heat. This is a pleasant glove system as a result of the wind cowl is sewn to the interior glove so you’ll be able to’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 mountaineering as a result of you’ll be able to layer and de-layer with the wind cowl with out stopping.

The interior glove isn’t very hot and is finest utilized in cool climate versus full-on winter. It is breathable and wicks moisture properly. It additionally has stretch wrist cuffs, which might help preserve your palms hotter since your blood flows near your pores and skin there. The palm and suggestions of the index finger and thumb are embossed with a silicone sample for dexterity when holding instruments and are totally touchscreen appropriate, which is very nice in case you depend on your telephone 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 material which is tightly woven utilizing very high quality 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 software, like an ice axe or whippet. When the duvet just isn’t wanted,  it stuffs right into a pocket on the again of the hand which may also be used to carry a warmth pack in case you get very chilly palms.

Recommendation

Outdoor Research Helium Wind Convertible Liners are finest used for path operating exercises and mountaineering in cooler shoulder season climate, similar to 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’ll be able to 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 learn how to layer gloves and mittens for prolonged winter mountaineering and light-weight mountaineering.

Disclosure: OR donated these gloves for overview.

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