Fix holes/rip in Gloves

If you post some photos that would be a helpful start, preferably with a penny or something in the hand to give scale. What size holes are "tiny"? If they are tiny in the sense of < 3/16" diameter, you could probably get away with a SiliNet Silicone Seam Sealer. If they are larger, a different route may be necessary. As far as keeping them from tearing, there aren't many options, as whatever you may apply will effect the grip you're trying to acheive.

Sorry for the delay, here are photos of both hands.

.
.

.

It is still a bit hard to judge from the photos, but the glove material looks like single-coated fabric. That is, the base fabric has a single layer of coating on one side – and that coating is very poorly attached. So the white spots are where the coating has simply been detached from the underlying fabric.

One could be a bit blunt and say that the gloves are not meant for heavy use. The cheap fabric they are made from simply cannot handle the forces involved. I dare say the vendor might dispute this, but they would, wouldn't they?

This will probably continue to happen: more patches will peel off over time. I don't think you can stop it at all, but you could try peeling as much coating off as you can, back to the base fabric, then coat the surface with a PU adhesive like Shoe-Goo. You would need to rub it IN firmly. That is, INTO the fabric, so it really bonds. Getting a smooth surface – tricky!!!

In the long run, best to chalk it up to experience and get some better gloves.

Cheers

Send them back. Outdoor Research has a great warranty, and these shouldn't have developed holes after two months of use. They'll send you a replacement pair.

"The cheap fabric they are made from"

On the website it says the palms are leather.

Thanks guys,

I'll try contacting Outdoor Research. Per the website these gloves are specifically designed for Ice/Mixed climbing. Which is what I've been using them for. At $145 I'm extremely surprised they've ripped already.

> On the website it says the palms are leather.
The PALMS may be made of leather, but the damage is on the thumb. I suspect the thumbs are made from that cheap fake leather stuff you see on some things. That, or they are taking the gross liberty of calling fake leather just 'leather'.

Obviously, OR are falling into the hands of the bean counters as well. I can get better quality from a $10 pair of leather rigger's gloves with a bit of SnowSeal rubbed in.

Cheers

Well OR is willing to replace my gloves, but of course they're out of stock and will not have a new shipment until after July!!

argh!

I still would like to use them until the end of ice climbing season, so I thought I'd buy some Gore-Tex patches or use Tenacious Tape to cover the holes that have grown larger? I'd like to do something so I can still use them this month and next.