Why Do I Need Gaiters?

“Last summer's hike saw me getting more and more frustrated with having to remove my boots to put on my water shoes, so that I could cross the San Joaquin in 1-2 feet of water. After a while, I was tempted to just say the hell with it, and cross in my (Vasque Clarion II's) boots, and suffer the consequences.

I elected to keep changing footwear where necessary, cause I didn't want to hike in my water shoes, waiting a day or more for my boots to dry.

I don't own a pair of gaiters, and as I don't currently hike in the mountain snow, I'm not inclined to buy a pair. Considering last year's dilemma, however, some have suggested that gaiters would have solved my problem. I'm not convinced.

Am I being a wuss, or would gaiters be of much benefit to me?”

“Because you don't have them! Fool! You MUST purchase gear you do not currently possess or immediately forfeit your claim as an honorary member of Gear Coveters of America!!”

“Want to leave your boots on to cross a stream. Check this out - https://secure.wic.net/wiggys/cgi-bin/Web_store/web_store.cgi?page=leg_footwear.html&category=yes&cart_id=”

“Gaiters in 1-2 feet of water? That would have done a nice job at holding the water inside your boots.

I find gaiters are good for quickly stepping through some stream crossings..nothing much more than a couple of inches over the top of my boots. I think the increased pressure from deeper water and the inability to quickly step through water 1-2 feet deep would get you soaked.

There are other reasons I wear gaiters. I cold weather, I find I'm comfortable in gaiters with shorts. On wet days, it keeps mud and water out of the tops of my boots. On dry days, they keep trail debris out of my boots. Wearing them in snow has the obvious advantage.

Whatever you decide to do, it's a personal choice. Whatever works for you is what is best for you. Gaiters work well for me.”

“Dittos on what skiracer said. Also, gaiters will protect your legs when bush whacking.

For 1-2 feet deep water, you need waders not gaiters.”

“I don't have a pair, but the all mighty trail trainer pimp told me that they also help with mud, dust, dew, and chiggers here in the South.”

“chiggers? not the chiggers I grew up with. Chiggers love to run up your leg and burry themselves in dark, moist, warm places. Gaitors will only make things a lil more tough than jeans, but I don't think that'll stop those buggers.”

“I almost listed gaitors on a previous thread about gear we don't use. But I do use them...just not enough! (I have used them a few times in the last weeks)

They're good for quick stepping in water...but that's it. I pretty much use'em to keep the mud and moisture off the lower parts of my pants when bushwacking in the wet and muddy transitional months. They never get used in the summer or winter!”

“I use uncoated nylon "scree" gaiters year round, only to keep stuff outta my boots. They do look rather dorky.”

“Gaitors are always with me and I use them as much in the rain as anywhere else. When I have to be on the move in or after a rain, I will put them on under my pants that way the does not run down into my boots. And always in the snow.”

“Rule #1 about backpakcing:

If you see a piece of gear you don't have, you bust buy it and use it around the house until your next hiking trip.”

“Last summer my boots got wet from rain running down my legs into my boots, so I decided to get low gaiters. Have used them every hike since. They keep out the little anoying sticks and stones and even a few biting critters. They keep your boot laces from getting shredded by briars. And they help repel water, but not THAT much.”

“Deathmarch99 and Kleetn are right, of course, the economy depends on people like us. Skiracer and Buddur are right about the water.

I think that gaiters are like hiking poles and sunglasses, once you get used to them you can't do without them (I draw the line at hydration packs, however). My Gabels jammed and I had to hike without them last weekend and it really burned me. I have resolved to get the Black Diamond flicklocks that convert to avalanche probes by at least next Christmas. Happy trails. Oh yes, make sure they're breathable right down to the foot (Gore-tex), otherwise you'll be miserable. H.T.”

“Trekking poles, hydration systems, sunglasses, stoves, sleeping pads, shelters....virtually every piece of backpacking gear has someone that loves it and someone that hates it. I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again...whatever works for you.”

“Gaiters are good for keeping stuff outta your boots, whether it be snow or rocks and sticks, and for keeping your pantlegs dry when walking thru brush.

Oh, and I do have a hydration system. It's called a Nalgene bottle. I've drawn the line, too, Gremlin!”

“I use socks that have worn out at the heels for summer gaiters to keep crap out of my boots. Just cut off the top above the heel and it makes a great CHEAP gaiter. I use the toe parts as little stuff sacks for my Svea and my candle lantern. Waste not, want not. There's a legend up here in New England about an old frugal Yankee couple that died. Their kids were going through the attic and found a box labeled "pieces of string to short to be saved" - obviously filled.”

“It it's any consolation to your query Obi Wan, I do have Gaitors. I have the OR Gore-Tex full length ones. I DO NOT BACKPACK A SINGLE FOOT without those lovely thangs. In nearly all conditions, the straps are cinched enought (not tight!) to keep them below my calf. And in conditions of heavy mud, rain, snow, brush, or if it's just cold as a bejeeezus, they are pulled up above my calf. In the summertime, they do not breathe enough to release all the moisture, so I take 'em off at lunch to air out. But these will NEVER be given up for as long as I backpack.

Kleetn, if you ever have an oportunity to use a hydration system, you would be a fool to pass it up. At least give it a try if you can. I was blown away at what freedoms I had gained when using one. This is another piece of gear that I shall never give up for as long as ..... well, youknow.”

“GATORS!!!”

“Really, why no hydration systems? I love my camelbaks, one of 'em saved my back from major road rash. Backpacking I use just the bladder and stuff it in the pocket of my pack.”

“Gators, don't leave home without'em”

“I just got my self a pair, mainly 'cause I was doing alot of climbing/snowshoing and I love them. I ain't leaving home with out them ever again!”

“No bladder system either, I rather take off the pack, rest and have a sip or two, grub and take in the view. There probably nice if you're on a bike or day hiking and punching the clock or something. There to much of a fad for me, now. I'm not a gear queer.

Gators have a set, reallly really old, have been painted several times w/a urethane (sp) coating. Kinda stiff now. They don't work to well in fast moving deep water but dew laiden mornings and thistley and gravelly trails they work great.”

“I won't ever go back to the Sierras without them. On this last trip I was constantly having to take my boots off to empty them of small stones and gravel. When I got home I bought a pair of the shorties by Black Diamond. They're heavy duty without being too heavy.”

“I got the gators late last year to fight off the snow. Now I've taken to wearing them on most trips. They are a convenience. Borrow a pair of lows for a trip and a pair of highs for the next. See which/if you like 'em.

As to the hydration systems; I finally broke down and bought on after trying for a year to find an elegant to drink from my Nalgene while using trekking poles. Personally I don't want to stop every time I want a sip of water.”

“Thanks, friends, for your input. Of course, I didn't expect gaitors to keep my feet from being soaked in a crossing, although that's something I suppose I gotta deal with. I was mixing two patterns of thought into one posting... BLAM! I'd have jumped on that like white on rice!!

Gaitors are good, so I'll start shopping for a pair (Campmor sale, $19.95? Suggestions and resources welcome. In the meantime, what DO you do when you wanna cross the water, and you don't wanna take off or change your footwear? Having crossed a few in my bare feet (Oooooh that water's cold!), I nearly lost my feet from the ankles down, for all the unssure footing, small and not-so-small boulders and such that I had to maneuver around and over... I couldn't stand up straight most of the time, using my hands to grab, lean, and so forth. The obvious answer is, don't cross the water. But if you DO, then....?

C'mon, TTr's... I know there's some answers out there...”

“I just have ankle gaitors but I love em! Jerbear tought me a trick on the Savage Gulf trip. If you got pants that unzip to become shorts, Just shove the bottom of the pants into your gaitors. That way you don't have to take off your boots. If it gets breezy again, just reach in there and pull em back up.
Your Brilliant Jerbear!”

“Yah I love to carry a gator, especially when it tries to bight my head off. However backpacking with a alligator is rather fun (if you live through it), you never run out of food (if you are not the food), and you never have to worry about people like chip, just sick the gator on him. LOL”

“What do you know about Gators in Jersey? They livin in the sewers?”

“Ever try putting garbage bags over your boots and legs with rubber bands and running through the stream?”

“I haven't tried garbage bags but I've thought about it a lot. I think it would work for short crossings that are safe and not deep.

Last summer I discovered the joy of hiking sandals. It's so much fun to splash across a stream and keep on truckin.”

“I love water bladders. They eliminate the need for water breaks. Just keep hiking and drink all you want.”

“God Bless Camelbac!”

“What DM99 & WD said... I LOVE my Camelbac too! Why stop every 5 or 10 minutes to take off your pack & get a drink? More 'on trail' hiking time = more stunning vistas & ridgelines walked! :-)”

“Yeah, What Medic Girl said.”

“though the garbage bag trick seems like it would do in a pinch, wonder if the bags wouldnt be too slippery on underwater boulders and slick logs? i do not have poles...maybe they would help....”

“I got my first camelback 5 years ago after talking to people on a bike trip that I do. Most of them got theirs for safety reasons, they had taken a spill getting their water bottle from/to the cage. I thought they were pretty stupid, but bought one and now I use it for all my activities. I changed my bite valve to a gusher and I like it even better. I tend to sip as I go and this works well for me.

I used to cross streams in my boots but decided that wasn't a good idea anymore after waking up to find them frozen. It was October and I wasn't expecting it to be that cold. I tried barefoot, but my tender little feeties don't like it plus I sliced my toes up once. Now I change into tevas and use my hiking poles - just got poles last year. I'd like to try the hiking sandals, but I'm worried about losing that ankle support.

Gaiters I used for the first time backpacking in September. Kept the mud off, but mine aren't breathable ($2 at wally world) so my long johns were damp around the calves. They added some warmth that I didn't really need. I'm not sure if I'll take them backpacking again, but I do use them snowshoeing.”

“Camlbacks RULE!!!

Walkin Dude, you are right. I should be talking about the BIG @$$ NYC rats I have over here. You could hunt those baseterds, and get a full meal out of them.

LOL”

“They are the size of a small cat or the size of that tacobell dog.”

“I started using water shoes as camp shoes and for stream crossings. Light weight and lots of grip.”

“I use my Alps on longer or deeper crossings, and I leave my liner socks on my feet to cross in. It takes the "bite" out of chilly water, and eliminates any scrapes ya might get when slippin on occasion. When I get to the other side, I ring 'em out real good, slip 'em back on and don my reg socks and boots and off I go like a spring chicken! Added bonus: freshly laundered liners!!! Heck, after ya ring 'em out they are no more damp than when ya first hit the river crossing.”

“Ditto what Pam said. I've used Tevas before and will sometimes take them as my camp shoe. I've also used a pair of lightweight "water shoes" for camp shoes, although they are not nearly as comfortable as my Tevas.

I also use the Tevas or the water shoes for stream crossings and use trekking poles.”

“Obi - Did ya read my post and visit the site?
"Light Weight Waders
Several months ago a fellow called and asked if I could make a very light weight waterproof sleeve to fit over his boots and be as tall as his legs. I asked what he needed them for since there are several brands of waders made for fly fisherman. He wanted something lighter and very compatible. His specific need was something to put on when crossing streams and then remove. Sounded good to me. They are made from 200 denier coated oxford nylon upper and a rubberized sole with all seams taped. They weigh 8.9 oz, total. Cost $50.00, includes stuff sack." Wiggy

If you have $50 bucks to burn, it is the answer to your question. I am too cheap. Cold feet and sandals or water shoes for me. Try SCUBA booties, but that would require boot removal.”

“Lost, I couldn't access the site with that link... care to try it another way?”

“Go to -

http://www.wiggys.com/

Click on ?catalog?, click on ?leg/footwear?”

“got it...thanks”

“I use the platypus hydration system. I have two tubes from them. One leaks a lot, need to exchange it. My understanding of the theory behind the tube hydration system is it prevents periods of low hydration in hot conditions because you are sipping all the time. Plus it can actually help conserve water because you avoid doing the ?feast and famine? thing.

It seems that everyone loves the Nalgene bottles. I can see why, they are well made and very sturdy, but they take up so much room. The collapsible bags work great and they take up so little room. Being a gear junkie I want one but not sure why.

Do want gaiters.”

“OK gaiter fans, I went and did it. I bought a pair of gaiters for snow hiking. Turns out there was only about 2” snow but I wore them anyhow just to see how they worked. I can see how they would be helpful in snowy or swampy conditions. I got a pair at REI for $20 that come to just below the knees. A huge beef I had is that they totally soaked my legs under them. Are the breathable ones any better? I can’t see myself buying $75 crocs but I will use them if the snow gets deep enough.”

“I use them mainly in the summer to keep #&%!$ from getting in my boots.

Winter, I just wear the tall Sorels. I think they are like 15" tall.”