REVIEW: Outdoor Research PL400 Sensor Gloves

Even in frost, people want to use their smartphones. But how do you do it if you don't want to take off your gloves because it's freezing cold? Outdoor Research (OR) - supplier of high-quality gloves for the USMC, SOCOM, and renowned in the outdoor industry - has some gloves in their lineup that allow you to operate your touch devices despite the cold. One of Outdoor Research's touch models is the PL400 Sensor Glove, which Martin has tested for you.

With the PL400 Sensor Glove, you have a very lightweight and warm glove for everyday use. The glove also works great as a liner for a waterproof over-mitten, such as the Outdoor Research Firebrand Mitts of the USMC.

The PL400 is not waterproof, but very breathable, quick-drying, and thanks to the stretch fabric, it fits perfectly.

Inside, there is a layer of 100-weight fleece, which feels very comfortable against the skin. The glove itself is made of 300-weight fleece material.

Other features include a snug wrist cuff, clips for attaching the gloves, and silicone strips on the palm and fingers for a secure grip on slippery objects. So your smartphone definitely won't slip out of your hand. A pair of PL400 gloves in size L weigh an astonishing 77 grams!

The index finger and thumb each have touch-compatible material on the fingertips, which allows perfect operation of a smartphone. General handling is not a problem with them, but it may require some practice as the fingers are naturally larger due to the gloves.

CONCLUSION: The PL400 Sensor is a lightweight, warm glove that allows you to operate your smartphone even in cold weather. For outdoor use, the PL400 is conditionally recommended, as the touch-sensitive areas are extremely heat-sensitive (a lighter near the fingertip of the index finger has already caused it to melt), but it is quite useful as a liner for a rugged over-mitten.

The PL400 Sensor is available in the pictured black and Coyote Brown at PM-Outdoorshop for about 24€.