Outdoor Research, Inc. a leader in the outdoor apparel industry, announced yesterday that it was awarded a $54 million 5-year contract to manufacture the Outdoor Research Modular Glove System, Generation II for the U.S. Special Operations Forces' (SOF).

Developed and manufactured by OR, the Modular Glove System meets the Special Operations Command's requirement for a protective glove system enabling SOF operators to perform in all battlefield conditions, including extreme cold weather environments.  The Outdoor Research Modular Glove System, Generation II also defends the hand against heat and flame threats.

"We are honored that the Special Operations Forces selected Outdoor Research to develop and manufacture their next generation of gloves," said Dan Nordstrom, Owner of Outdoor Research, Inc.  "Outdoor Research takes great pride in our history of product development for extreme environments.  SOF recognizes our unique ability to help meet the needs of men and women who operate in the most challenging conditions while serving our country."

Highly respected in the outdoor industry for creating functional solutions for extreme environments, OR leveraged the best commercial market technologies to serve U.S. troops.  OR worked with the Special Operations Forces to develop a system consisting of five pairs of compatible gloves: a contact glove, a flame resistant combat glove, an intermediate waterproof glove, an extreme cold weather waterproof glove and extreme cold weather waterproof mitt.  Each set of gloves is domestically produced in the United States and boasts the latest textile technology to reduce weight, minimize thermal discomfort in extreme cold weather, enable maximum dexterity, tactility and provide exceptional moisture management.

"The mission of the Special Operations Command requires that our forces be highly trained and properly equipped to work in all environments.  The OR glove system further enhances their operational capabilities," said Scott Williams, Project Director, SOF Survival Systems.  "We are confident that the Outdoor Research Modular Glove System, Generation II will play a critical role in the successful outcome of many diverse special operations missions around the world."

"Using modern materials and their up-all-night ingenuity, the designers worked closely with military users to develop the Modular Glove System," said Mark Twight, elite alpinist. "For over 20 years, OR has been testing handwear in the harshest environments on earth.  No company is better positioned to build gloves for the U.S. Special Operations Forces."

About Outdoor Research, Inc.

OR is a small business that was founded in 1981 and has since been a leader in the outdoor industry with 160 employees.  Noted for its cutting edge designs that emphasize functionality, innovation, versatility, and durability, OR designs, tests and manufactures a wide variety of high-quality apparel and accessories, including headwear, handwear, gaiters, technical apparel, bivy sacks, and a wide variety of backpacking products.  OR manufactures all of its products sold to the military in its Seattle facility using U.S.-made materials and textiles