Reader rating
Rate it and you move it. Community ratings re-rank this product inside its Top 10 list.
Expert-picked, reader-ranked. Our editors choose the products and the launch order; member star ratings move picks up or down over time.
The Outdoor Research Splitter II is not a belay glove; it is a purpose-built crack climbing glove engineered to replace disposable tape gloves. Using an open-palm, open-finger architecture, the Splitter II covers only the back of the hand and the knuckles, providing a durable friction barrier when jamming your hands into rough granite, sandstone, or basalt splitters. Reviewers consistently rate the Splitter II as an essential tool for dedicated crack climbers. The outer layer utilizes a thin, ultra-durable synthetic suede and polyurethane film that mimics the feel of athletic tape without the waste or adhesive mess. Because the palm and inner fingers remain completely bare, you maintain 100% skin-to-rock contact for face holds, crimps, and palming maneuvers, switching between crack jams and face moves seamlessly. The trade-offs are strictly related to its specialized nature. It offers zero protection for rope handling, belaying, or rappelling, meaning you still need a separate pair of belay gloves on your harness. Furthermore, the minimalist finger loops rely on thin elastic bands that can pinch or tear over time if improperly sized or subjected to violent flaring jams. **Highlights** * Minimalist open-palm architecture leaves skin free for face climbing and smearing. * High-friction synthetic overlay shields the back of the hand from painful rock abrasion. * Ultra-thin profile fits smoothly inside narrow hand cracks without adding excessive bulk. * Hook-and-loop wrist closure features an angled design to stay out of the way of jams. * Reusable design significantly reduces the cost and waste of disposable climbing tape. **Watch-outs** * Zero utility for belaying, rappelling, or standard rope friction management. * Elastic finger loops can feel tight or wear out after sustained abuse in coarse rock.
Pros
- Ultra-thin profile preserves natural hand dimensions in tight cracks
- Open palm leaves skin completely free for face climbing and smearing
- Reusable design eliminates ongoing expense and waste of tape wraps
- Angled wrist strap stays clear of rock contact during deep jams
Cons
- Provides zero rope protection and cannot be used for belaying
- Elastic finger loops can pinch webbing or wear down over time
Best uses
- Granite crack climbing
- Sandstone splitter routes
- Desert traditional climbing
- Reusable tape replacement
Specifications
- Design Type
- Open-palm crack glove
- Shell Fabric
- 80% polyester, 20% polyurethane
- Overlay Material
- 55% polyurethane, 45% nylon
- Closure
- Angled hook-and-loop wrist strap
- Typical Price
- Around $45
Pricing
We don't publish a price we haven't verified. The retailer links below open the live listing for this exact model.
Best for
Granite crack climbing, Sandstone splitter routes, Desert traditional climbing, Reusable tape replacement
Where to buy the Splitter II Gloves
We don't have a direct Amazon listing on file yet — this opens an Amazon search for the exact make and model.
Some links are affiliate links. Buying through them supports our testing at no extra cost to you.
The Outdoor Research Splitter II Gloves are specialized tools engineered exclusively for crack climbing. Unlike traditional full-coverage climbing gloves designed for belaying, rappelling, and rope management, the Splitter II features an open-palm architecture that leaves the gripping surface of the hand and the inside of the fingers entirely bare. Its primary purpose is to shield the vulnerable skin across the knuckles and dorsal hand from abrasive rock friction during hand jams, fist jams, and thin-hand sequences. By substituting for standard athletic tape wraps, these gloves eliminate sticky adhesive residue and recurring consumable expenses. Traditional climbers tackling rough granite, sandstone, or basalt splitters gain immediate protection without having to spend ten minutes constructing custom tape gloves before a pitch. The design ensures that whenever a route transitions from a crack jam to a face hold, slab smear, or crimp, natural skin-to-rock contact remains completely uncompromised. Priced around $45, the Splitter II occupies a distinct niche in a climber's rack. It is not an all-purpose utility glove, and it cannot safely handle moving ropes on a belay device. Instead, it serves as a focused, reusable alternative to disposable tape for climbers who frequently jam fissures and want reliable friction without extra bulk.
Target User and Intent
The Splitter II is made specifically for traditional climbers, crack specialists, and desert splitters enthusiasts. It is not meant for the casual gym climber or someone seeking general hand protection for mountaineering or belaying. If your climbing involves repeated hand jamming in coarse stone fissures, this glove protects the dorsal skin from painful scrapes and gobies. It suits climbers who dislike the environmental waste, time investment, and adhesive gum of disposable athletic tape. Because the palm is completely missing by design, it allows seamless transitions between jamming in a fissure and crimping small edges on an adjacent face.
Materials and Low-Profile Build
Outdoor Research constructs the Splitter II using an 80 percent polyester and 20 percent polyurethane base, paired with a tough overlay blending 55 percent polyurethane and 45 percent nylon. This synthetic combination functions like an artificial suede layer, providing a dense friction shield that slides into fissures smoothly without adding perceptible thickness. Traditional rubber-backed crack gloves can sometimes feel thick enough to turn a comfortable hand crack into an awkward tight-hands struggle. The Splitter II remains remarkably thin, preserving natural hand sizing and giving users precise feedback against the rock interior.
Real-World Jamming Performance
On the rock, the synthetic overlay grips gritty stone effectively. It provides consistent shear resistance across the knuckles, allowing climbers to torque their hands inside cracks without skin tear. Because the glove does not stretch significantly once secured, it resists bunching up when slotting into constrictions or pulling downward against edges. However, unlike thicker rubber crack gloves that generate mechanical bite through soft rubber tack, the Splitter II relies more on friction and low bulk. Climbers who prefer the sticky feel of pure climbing shoe rubber on the back of their hand may find the synthetic suede slicker on polished limestone.
Durability and High-Stress Points
The main dorsal panel holds up well to repeated scraping against rough crystals and sharp basalt edges. The synthetic overlay resists tearing and shredding far better than multiple layers of tape. The primary vulnerability lies in the attachment points, specifically the narrow elastic finger loops. Under repeated twisting forces in flaring or off-width cracks, these thin bands endure significant strain. Over extended seasons of hard jamming, the stitching at the base of the finger loops can fray, meaning the glove requires sensible sizing to avoid premature tension failure.
Sizing and Fit Considerations
Achieving the correct size is essential with the Splitter II. If purchased too large, the back panel shifts during hard jams, creating slack that can cause blistering underneath. If sized too small, the elastic loops will dig painfully into the webbing between your fingers, restricting blood flow and reducing endurance on long pitches. Outdoor Research incorporates an angled hook-and-loop wrist closure that keeps the plastic hardware away from the outer edge of the wrist, preventing uncomfortable pressure points when sinking deep hand jams into constriction features.
Market Context and Alternatives
At approximately $45, the Splitter II sits in a competitive category with alternatives like the Ocun Crack Gloves and Black Diamond Crack Gloves. Ocun models utilize a thin sheet of sticky rubber over microfiber, offering higher friction on slick rock but adding slightly more profile bulk. Black Diamond's version uses a molded rubber system with a white adhesive-style look. The Splitter II remains favored by climbers prioritizing minimum bulk and close rock feel over maximal rubber stickiness, matching the streamlined profile of traditional athletic tape wraps.
How we picked
We started with a long list of climbing gloves that people actually buy, cut anything that could not clear our baseline for durability and field performance, then ranked the 10 that were left against the same criteria. Rankings are editorial. No brand pays for placement, and affiliate links never move a pick up or down.
- Handling with gloves and pump
- Gate action, clipping and lowering control when hands are tired.
- Strength rating and weight
- Certified ratings against weight, so lighter never means sketchier.
- Real-world durability
- How the material, stitching, or steel holds up after a season of hard use — not how it looks new.
- Performance in bad conditions
- Wind, rain, cold, and grit are the test. Anything that only works on a nice day gets marked down.
- Weight and packability
- Every ounce has to earn its place in the pack, but not at the cost of something that fails in the field.
- Ease of use
- Setup, adjustment, and maintenance with cold hands, in the dark, without the manual.
Splitter II Gloves — frequently asked questions
- Is the Splitter II Gloves worth it?
- We rank it #7 in Climbing Gloves. The Outdoor Research Splitter II is not a belay glove; it is a purpose-built crack climbing glove engineered to replace disposable tape gloves. Using an open-palm, open-finger architecture, the Splitter II covers only the back of the hand and the knuckles, providing a durable friction barrier when jamming your hands…
- What is the Splitter II Gloves best for?
- Best for granite crack climbing, sandstone splitter routes, desert traditional climbing and reusable tape replacement. Standouts: ultra-thin profile preserves natural hand dimensions in tight cracks and open palm leaves skin completely free for face climbing and smearing.
- What are the downsides of the Splitter II Gloves?
- Provides zero rope protection and cannot be used for belaying and Elastic finger loops can pinch webbing or wear down over time.
- What are the key specs of the Splitter II Gloves?
- Design Type: Open-palm crack glove · Shell Fabric: 80% polyester, 20% polyurethane · Overlay Material: 55% polyurethane, 45% nylon · Closure: Angled hook-and-loop wrist strap · Typical Price: Around $45
- Target User and Intent — what should I know about the Splitter II Gloves?
- The Splitter II is made specifically for traditional climbers, crack specialists, and desert splitters enthusiasts. It is not meant for the casual gym climber or someone seeking general hand protection for mountaineering or belaying.
- Materials and Low-Profile Build — what should I know about the Splitter II Gloves?
- Outdoor Research constructs the Splitter II using an 80 percent polyester and 20 percent polyurethane base, paired with a tough overlay blending 55 percent polyurethane and 45 percent nylon. This synthetic combination functions like an artificial suede layer, providing a dense friction shield that slides into…
Compare side by side
Put the Splitter II Gloves against any other pick on this list — specs, price, pros, cons and reader ratings.