Gator Question

“All all gators alike? Do you know what I'm talking about? Those things you put around your ankles to keep snow out of your boots (no, not leg warmers).

What do you use? Is it cheesy to use garbage bags with rubber bands?”

“No, we all wore bags on our feet as kids why the hedouble hockey sticks not now?

Because yer feet will freeze just like when you were a kid!

You're independly wealthy woman, buy some gaitors!!!!”

“lol Joy, I just want a good pair. Shoot, they probably don't even sell them at REI here (the closest snow is 3 hours away). I might have to go to a ski store..”

“Florida Gators are the best kind.
GO GATORS!!!!”

“Ourdoor Research. I have the long ones for snow and the short fitted ones for normal hiking. I don't like rocks in my boots.”

“I use 8 ft of duct tape wrapped around my ankles counter clockwise.”

“Biz, I don't consider gaitors to be an expensive item. REI should carry them. They aren't just for snow. They also keep mud off your legs on wet trails.

Garbage bags with rubberbands? You are too funny. Yes it would look very cheesy. Rubberbands would cut off your circulation, and the plastic bags, I won't even go there.”

“I've got the short gaiters that I use for snow and for regular hiking. I got tired of kicking all that crap like dirt, pebbles and sticks into myr boots. I haven't hiked much in snow but the short ones still worked fine for me.”

“I like the short Gaitors. Never tried the tall ones. REI has anything ya need.”

“Biz, I have a pair from the Martha Stewart catalog. The are tall and they are pink.”

“EEEEEEEEEK!
Pink gaitors!?!?”

“"All all gators alike?"

Yes, they are. they are all superfluous.”

“lol newgirl. Really Nige, slushy snow in your boots doesn't bother you?”

“No, I do not get snow in my boots. My pants cover the tops of my boots.”

“For summer hiking, when all I need is something to keep crap out of my boots, I use the cut-off tops of socks that have worn out at the heels. Cheap, light, and an endless supply.”

“If you wear short pants, gaitors really help. I bought some Goretex ones in Japan and wore them out.

You can find them at any REI or order from Campmor.

About a year ago I started hiking in long pants all the time and prefer it. I haven't worn gaitors much since then.”

“I use the short gaitors from OR summer and winter. Also I always use long pants - in summer with gaitors over the pants to keep the ticks out inaddition the stones etc. Only time gaitors were a problem for me was when the snow is fresh and packable - the snow tends to ball up on the arch strap.”

“I like using long Gortex gaiters. They keep the mud from travelling halfway up the back of your pants, they keep snow and debris out of your boots, sometimes they keep water out of your boots when your fording small creeks deeper than your boots, and lastly they look cool. Gaiters with zippers are a pain in the @ss so get velcro.

I have the same problem with the snow balling up on the arch strap.”

“Wild Roses sells gators that are tailored to women's legs. They're OR brand.”

“I agree - get gaiters with velcro and not zippers”

“OR shorts for me. I use them all year. Keeps the scree out and the snow out. Long pants or short. They don't weigh much and work well.”

“I never tried gaitors. I am like Nigal, I where pants when I want to cover my legs. Not much snow around here.”

“I might be wishing for a pair of gaiters after this weekend! Anyone have a pair they wanna loan me?”

“WATCH IT, NIGAL!

No Biz, all Gators are not alike. While we have similar things in common, walkindude, radagast, and I are are quite different people.

I use the short gaiters. They look a little strange on my 6'6" 130lb frame, but then that suits my personality.

WATCH IT , NIGAL!
(preemptive strike)”

“Sum beach! It's Randy Johnston!”

“G8RS!”

“And I throw a mean beanball too!”

“arclite, you are truly my hero”

“The new Mountain Hardwear ones are supposed to be designed to give the wearer more ventilation to prevent hot and sweaty feet.”

“I think you should go w/ pink. They're cute, function, and if you want you can clean 'em up and pair 'em w/ a skirt. It is a super cute combo.”

“I'm with the OR long gaiters group. We have them for backcountry skiing or snowshoeing when the snow can be 6' and powdery. We lose the dogs sometimes in that stuff. Velcro is definitely the way to go; zippers are useless with ice and usually break. I've necver worn gaiters backpacking tho. I've worn Tevas on the last couple trips. Sandals w/gaiters?”

“Newgirl, hi! I didn't recognize you in your gaitors!”

“Biz, Victoria's Secrets makes some really gators and I'm sure you could find some nice ones to compliment your outfit. Oh wait, those are garters. Sorry.”

“Those would be garters, not gators.

I am still using the gators I made from a Frostline kit when I was in Junior High. They made the boys and girls take Home Ec for one semester back then. Back then was 1975.”

“I can tell from the various misspellings of GAITERS that not many of you are even familiar with them. OR makes good ones but for a long time I just used REI's cheapies. Even if you're not on snow, they can keep little rocks out of your boots, especially if you like to hike in shorts. :)”

“I have read good reviews about the OR Croc gaiters for showshoeing and XC skiing.”

“I use the the OR Crocodile Gaiters in the snow, leave them home other times.

They also make the Expedition Crocodiles which have a replaceable instep strap and are made with bombproof (and heavy) 1000d Cordura or the HD Crocodiles which have the replaceable strap and the fabric is somewhere between the Expedition and regular Crocodiles.”

“Did SirPete tell y'all about the tinme he was attacked by a Gaiter?”

“Only use them in snow, they keep snow out of your boots & off your bootlaces. They do make your legs sweat more unless it's REALLY cold. Garbage bags with rubber bands would probably work just as well, as long as they covered the tops of your boots & didn't cut off your circulation.”

“Baso, don't knock cute pink gators, 'til you try 'em.”

“Newgirl ---

anytime you and biz want to model your new pink garters is fine wid me!!!”

“mapper,
Maybe the question should have been:
What do I need, to hike in the snow (possibly) in Canada? I could just wear my ski pants. I just though gators MIGHT be the best way to keep snow out of your boots.

Garters: the best way to keep what out of what?”

“I don't own garters. I own GATORS.”

“I have a set of Cordura knee high velcros from OR. They are great for winter stuff and when you are hiking in short scrub brush. The one piece of gear I really miss were the Solomon boots that had the zip up lace covers. That was probably the nicest feature on a set of boots I have ever had. They never came untied, they were more water proof, and the laces never ever became encrusted in mud. I miss them.”

“Get a good pair, FRONT opening gaiters. To be of any value they need to be knee lenghth (unless your walking in dry shrub-free terrain) to protect you from Joe Blakes(snakes), crossing shallow creeks, snow, mud and scrub bashing. Mine are a Aussie brand made by Sea To Summit, Cordura Bottoms and Goretex tops. The strap under the foot is almost unbreakable.
I used them for 3 weeks trekking in Sikkim and quite a few walks in Oz, pushing through Tea Tree and other Scrub. I replaced my old canvas Macpac with these and havent looked back.”

“You haven't made me an offer yet, but I can be bought newgirl. How much are you offering?”