GearFlogger

Outdoor Research Banff Bodysuit

Holy catwoman! Make no mistake, the Banff bodysuit from Outdoor Research confers superhero powers, just like the men's version, the Saturn Suit. It just doesn't get much better than Polartec Power Stretch 150 over every square inch of your body.

The Banff does the Saturn one better with full sleeves, complete with thumb loops. The back, sleeves and cuffs from the ankle down are made not from Power Stretch but from Motion Fleece, a thinner and even stretchier fabric with the same sheer facing. The sheerness is the goodness, because if you're using it as an inner layer it really reduces friction between layers for more freedom of movement. Its application on the sleeves and cuffs make it easier to slide on jackets and boots too, with no bunching.

The chest zipper has a neck guard to prevent vampire bites, and there's a rainbow style crotch zipper to answer nature's call. Front-to-rear rainbow zips are the way to go, revealing much less dainty flesh to the outside elements. Flat seams and overall excellent quality complete this awesome outfit, and the weight is light and right at an even pound. Comes in any color you want, as long as it's black. If you're deep in the doghouse, the Banff will distract the SheFlogger long enough for you to get out. Until the next incident, of course. See you then.

$198.95 at Altrec

Outdoor Research StormTracker gloves

UPDATE: We still love the StormTracker for all the reasons listed below, but unfortunately our suspicions about durability have borne out. The leather is just too thin and wears out too quickly under any sort of actual use. We can't recommend the StormTracker for anything other than hiking and driving.

ORIGINAL 4/20/2009 POST: Sweet glove of love, where have you been all my life? Outdoor Research has always made some nice handwear, but they've outdone themselves with the StormTracker.

How do I love thee? Let's count: WindStopper soft shell, tricot lining and full leather grip are a good start, and besides that's as high as I can reliably count, what with the missing fingers and all. What really sets the StormTracker apart is the fit. The leather is supple and grippy, and the cuff has a zip closure to snug it up so it will fit under sleeves.

These gloves have a full liner that gives it a wonderful combination of plush feel and dexterity for finger tasks. The articulated fingers definitely do the trick, and at a mere 3.5oz for a medium they stow away nice and flat in your pocket. The only downside was the price, but they're on sale so problem solved! One thing to watch: the leather is so supple I'm not sure how they'll hold up long-term, so if you're looking for a burly work glove these might not be it.

$38.32 (on sale from $58.95) at Backcountry Outlet

Outdoor Research Gorilla Balaclava

One of the best things about mountaineering is being able to wear a balaclava without getting pulled over by the police or kicked in the head by Chuck Norris. When it's time to get your inner ninja on pull on a Gorilla 'clava from Outdoor Research.

The Gorilla goes normal clavas one better with a collection of features: it's Windstopper, it has a nose shield that directs your nasty booger spray away from your shades, a fine mesh covers your mouth, and the face shield is removable via velcro straps on either side.

The Gorilla fits very close because it's not a pull-over; instead it has Velcro on the side to open the face up for putting on and taking off. It's cut lower in front to cover your chin, and higher in back so you'll want a high collar to cover the gappage; if you've got a hood you're all set. The inside is supersoft fleece. All in all, very nice and suitable for extreme conditions where you want no square inch of skin uncovered. Be aware: like all Windstopper headwear it muffles sound a little, and when you rip off the Velcro closure it's pretty loud inside.

$49.95 at Backcountry

Outdoor Research Saturn Suit

There are few things better than strapping on Power Stretch. A Power Stretch suit would be one of those few things. Outdoor Research hooks us up with the Saturn suit for men, a Farmer John style one-piece suit that makes all the right moves.

The Saturn is light, barely over a pound, and true to size. OR didn't just throw together a bunch of 150-weight Power Stretch and call it good, however. There are plenty of well-thought-out details like the twin reach-across chest pockets made out of a fine stretchy mesh material, so you can access them easily under a shell layer. The ankle cuffs are even a thinner material so they tuck in to boots better and avoid chafing.

And for when you absolutely, positively have to get your three-way on, the zipper on the Saturn is there for you. As much as it pains me to admit this, I've never had a three-way before, but now I'll never go back. This configuration enables all necessary functions in the most efficient way possible, and exposes much less tender flesh to the harsh elements than a rainbow zipper does. Highly recommended.

$198.95 at Altrec

Outdoor Research Flash crampon pouch

Flash! Ahhhh! Savior of... the Universe! I still can't decide whether that movie sucked or was cool. The Outdoor Research Flash crampon pouch is comfortably on the cool side.

A crampon pouch is not exactly rocket science but OR puts some nice touches on theirs. There are two drain grommets on the bottom, the dual-action zipper opens the pouch halfway and there are twin daisy chains sewn into the back and a small cord loop on top for easy attachment to your pack.

It's plenty durable with Hypalon end caps to ward off the frontpoints. The piping on the edges is even reflective, all the better to see it with in the dark. There's even a handy little zippered pocket for extra parts and such. Light too at 3.8oz; I likey.

$28.95 at Backcountry

Outdoor Research Sun Runner hat

You all know what I think about running. That said, runners do contributed to product development in much the same way lab rats do. Case in point: hats. The Sun Runner hat from Outdoor Research is the latest in my endless quest for the perfect soft mountaineering headgear.

The Sun Runner is synthetic so it's light and dries quickly. What makes it a little different from other sun hats is that is has mesh side panels that can be covered with the removable cape. So you have a number of different configurations to use, and rather than being gimmicky they actually work well.

The bill is sufficiently stiff and the fabric has a 30+ UPF rating so your delicate alabaster skin doesn't crinkle like a dollar bill in the sun. There's even a Coolmax wicking headband and a cincher cord so it won't fly off on a glacier in a windstorm. All in all, a worthy contender, especially if you suffer from the running sickness.

$27.95 at Backcountry.com

Outdoor Research Ergo jacket

At some point in the recent past women's outdoor gear makers successfully merged stylish with functional. Exhibit A in this trend is the women's Ergo down jacket from Outdoor Research, complete with funky-cool flower on the shoulder.

Filled with superlofty 700 down the Ergo shines as a layering piece, and at only 13oz and a teeny-tiny stuffed size it works well as a just-in-case piece for nippy weather.

The light weight and lack of a hood make this an above-freezing piece of gear, but one that is equally at home in the backcountry or about town, with its quilted good looks.

A nice touch is the extra large pockets inside, formed by the stitching of the exterior handwarmer pockets. OR didn't skimp on the finishing either, with tricot-lined pockets, elastic cuffs and a full-length zipper flap and chin protector. If she's just plain mad, get flowers. If she's nonlinear, haul out the Ergo. Stuff sack included.

$168.95 at Backcountry.com

Outdoor Research Alibi gloves

The Outdoor Research Alibi glove is a true multi-sport product: ice climbing, S&M, B&D, or anytime you need sticky rubber wrapped around the shaft of your tool. (Really, sometimes these reviews just write themselves...)

More than just fetish handwear for watching the latest Japanese tentacle-porn, the Alibi glove actually enhances climbing performance. Designed to be used with leashless tools, the tight fit and sticky, sticky, I've been a bad boy smack-my-bum palms allow precise tool placement and unsurpassed tactile feedback.

The velcro cuff is extra-stiff for good wrist support without being restrictive, and the oversized pull-loop is actually useful instead of decorative. There are even gel inserts in the strike zones on the sides of the palms for the inevitable mash-up. Too thin for cold weather use, these are race gloves, and they perform as advertised.

$59.00 at REI

Outdoor Research Option shirt

The Outdoor Research Option long sleeve zip jersey is fully buzz-word compliant: laser die-cut, glue-bonded, hydrophobic action, thermodynamic fabric.

In plain english, it's a windshirt. In plain hip-hop, it would be plush threads pushin' real, yo? But never mind that. The shirt is light enough at 14.1oz and cut for a loose fit, plus it's somewhat stretchy so you don't have to get all contortionist as you slip into something comfortable.

If you haven't tried it, the zip-t form factor is the way to go to balance wicking, insulation, sun protection and ventilation. The pocket on the OR is a nice addition for when this is your primary layer.

$78.95 at Mountain Gear

Outdoor Research Accessory Straps

Tying crap down is both art and science, although some folks manage to avoid both approaches. We call them yard sale people, 'cause that's what it looks like when their bombproof rigging job blows apart and scatters gear hither, thither and yon.

Do not be a yard sale person. Use reliable straps like these 3/4" nylon ones from OR. They have tension buckles, which I prefer as more reliable than quick-release styles for critical applications like tying down a load on a sled for glacier travel.

Various lengths.

$6.50 at REI