Field test and review
The Outdoor Research Arete Gloves are my recommended all-around gloves for any cold or wet day on the trail and one feature I love is the thin fleece removable liner. This is in itself a glove that you can wear on its own, and I often do. The liner has silicone patches on the palm it provides superb grip. This means you can whip off the outer shell when you need to use your compass or GPS without completely losing insulation. One of the hidden features of the liners is an internal pocket where you can slide in your hand warmers. My wife uses these religiously to keep her hands warm. Personally I find that the gloves are warm enough for just about any winters day on the trail or in alpine conditions where things can be a little less predictable.
Take the liners out and you’re still left with a lightly insulated Gore-Tex shell. The shell of the glove has a tough nylon with a reinforced palm, but you don’t get a leather palm for maximum durability. The shell does provide some insulation and has a Gore-Tex waterproof lining, but on its own it isn’t as warm as other gloves, so you’ll need the liner in cold conditions.
I use the Outdoor Research Arete without the liners 75% of the time. I find the shell is warm enough for almost any day I hike, and without the liners they are slightly more breathable. I also like that they are slightly more dexterous without the liners. For cooler spring or autumn days, I often use just the liners, but they aren’t waterproof, so it’s not great if the rai decides to come down.
The Outdoor Research Arete Gloves come with wrist straps so you don’t lose them when you remove your gloves on the trail. Just be sure that you secure the straps. I don’t know how many times I dropped my gloves onto the ground before I realised what the straps were for.
Overall. the fit seems pretty true to size, and quite comfortable. I did find that it’s slightly snug when the liners are on, but any heavily insulated glove seems even less roomy to me. The Outdoor Research Arete Glove doesn’t feel quite as warm as some higher-priced options, but it does feel warm enough for normal Australian winter conditions. I wore them recently in -13 degrees in Nepal and my fingers started to feel the cold. The gauntlet is longer than most and fits easily over your jacket sleeve, but you can still wear it underneath as it’s very neat and easy to adjust.
These are really a fantastic glove. If you’re hands are constantly cold, then you’ll probably want a bit more insulation. But for anyone who runs even slightly warm, you’ll appreciate the ability to moderate heat with multiple layers.
The Outdoor Research Arete is durable, comfortable, warm, breathable, and versatile.
What makes them versatile is being able to split the glove in two: the silicone grip palm on the liner means I can wear it alone for dexterity and warmth, and add the Gore-Tex shell over the top when the weather turns, without losing the grip or the warmth I already had underneath.
Buy direct from Bogong Equipment for $149.95 per pair
Tech Specs
- Durable
- Waterproof
- Windproof
- Breathable
- Wicking
- Removable Liner
- Silicone Grip Liner Palm
- Pre-Curved Construction
- SuperCinch™ Gauntlet Closure
- Heat Pack Pocket on Back of Liner
- Pull Loop
- Removable Leash
- Carabiner Loop
- Fabric: GORE-TEX® insert // 100% nylon oxford shell outer mixed with dobby nylon shell // AlpenGrip® Palm // 100% polyester lining // Radiant Fleece™ 95% polyester, 5% spandex removable liner
- Weight: (oz./g): 7.8oz / 220g (L)
