Outdoor Research Climbing Clothing Review

If you grew up in the Northeast, or the Northwest, you probably had a pair of those Outdoor Research gaiters when you first got into backpacking. They were crucial for keeping your feet dry on the often muddy and wet trails you’d encounter, and maybe you also picked up one of those Seattle Sombrero’s, the nice wide brimmed rain hats to keep your noggin dry. And just maybe, that’s where your experience with OR stopped, and in your mind they were forever relegated to being the kinda-dorky-hiking-gear company.

Well, apparently I haven’t been paying close attention, because these guys are now putting out clothing for everything from rock climbing to mixed climbing. I had a chance to check out some of their climbing oriented pieces this spring, and I was impressed, to say the least.

First up, the Index Shorts. These are a long short that come down past your knees, but not as far as the ever ambiguous man-pri. Now, I happen to dig the man-pri’s as I think they are super functional, but the smart folks at OR realized that not everyone is comfortable with it, or capable of enduring the scorn of more “manly” men if you happen to stop by a public place on your way home from the crags, and so they’ve found the middle ground.

I usually never wear shorts in Indian Creek, as that tends to lead to even more bleeding and skin loss than normal, but on a couple hot days this spring, I found these to be just the ticket. The 15” inseam covered my knees adequately, and the stretchy fabric provided excellent freedom of movement, while being much cooler than pants would have been. They’re also quite durable and took the abuse of scumming in Wingate corners with ease.

For those days when I did want a pair of pants, however, the Vantage Pants quickly became my go to digs. The cotton/spandex blend offers the perfect combination of durability and unrestricted movement in this simple, yet effective, package. Plus, they’re great for just hanging around the camp fire at the end of the day when the temperature drops.

Last up is the Ferrosi Hoody, a lightweight softshell that’s a great standby piece to keep in your pack for when the wind kicks up or a light rain begins to fall before you’ve made it back to the car. It offers excellent wind resistance and some water resistance, though if it starts dumping you’ll get wet pretty quick. For days with good weather, though, it’s an excellent choice for alpine rock climbs, as the fabric is durable, and the low profile hood is designed to fit under your helmet with ease.

And there you have it. Just like that, Outdoor Research has become a serious contender in the world of climbing clothing. Next time you need to replace some worn out shorts or pants, take a look at what these guys have to offer, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised, just like me.

Disclaimer: This product was provided to SplitterChoss.com for the purpose of reviewing.