Gaiter Users

Posted by: OldScout

Gaiter Users - 04/09/12 05:46 PM

Hey Guys,

I usually hike in long pants so don't use gaiters. I plan on hiking the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island this year and if you have seen phat's pictures, there is deep mud.

Ok, the REI website on the REI Trail Gaiters for $34.50 at 18" and the OR Verglas gaiters for $54 at 16.75. (I am six foot tall and all leg). They also have the OR Croc gaiters for $75.00. Other than this hike, I probably will not use the gaiters much. I hear some of you guys wax eloquence (sp?) about the OR gaiters. (I get a 20% discount if I order before April 15th) Do you still think the OR gaiters are worth it under these circumstances (and which ones)? Thanks for your input, OldScout
Posted by: phat

Re: Gaiter Users - 04/09/12 06:49 PM

You want one you can step back into like the OR's that velcro on the front - you do also wanna make sure they fit - if you have big legs you need to make sure they go around you.

Your other option would be the MEC Kokanee gore tex gaiter at $39 CDN. There is an MEC right downtown in Victoria, so if you are stopping there on the way (i.e. to pick up fuel if you've flown in) you can pick up a pair there. Just make sure you check the hours.

I end up using the MEC ones.

Note, if I wear full boots, I wear gaiters on this trail, but I have also done it in trail runners with just a mini-gaiter to keep the sticks out of my shoes. so ymmv. You're in puget sound anyway, so you're used to that sort of weather - you might do fine without.



Posted by: phat

Re: Gaiter Users - 04/09/12 06:51 PM

Originally Posted By phat

Your other option would be the MEC Kokanee gore tex gaiter at $39 CDN. There is an MEC right downtown in Victoria, so if you are stopping there on the way (i.e. to pick up fuel if you've flown in) you can pick up a pair there.


Of course if you're clever like my friend simon was accidentally, you get the package that someone has put two left foot gaiters in. only notice at the trailhead, hike WCT in the gaiters, then return them to MEC wink
Posted by: OregonMouse

Re: Gaiter Users - 04/09/12 06:57 PM

I actually remembered to bring and put on my gaiters for a muddy coastal trail once (Olympic Peninsula). That was the year I slipped and sat down rather suddenly in the mud! laugh I scraped off what I could and let the rest dry on the remainder of the trip in. At our beach camp I changed into rain gear and rinsed off my hiking pants and shirt in the surf.

In other words, it's probably questionable whether any technique will for sure keep your clothes from getting muddy! Have a lightweight base layer along to wear inside the sleeping bag. Otherwise, a little good clean mud never hurt anybody! Do have some kind of plastic bag (even a shopping bag would do) to protect your tent from the muddy clothes.
Posted by: Rick_D

Re: Gaiter Users - 04/09/12 07:25 PM

I like the OR Flex-tex softshell gaiters for most uses. They wet though eventually but keep dirt, debris and yes, mud out of my boottops. The Salamanders might be a better choice for unending rain, but I don't often see those conditions.

I also have Crocodiles but only use them occasionally, for deep snow. Which is to say, very seldom.

Cheers,
Posted by: phat

Re: Gaiter Users - 04/09/12 08:28 PM

Originally Posted By OregonMouse
Have a lightweight base layer along to wear inside the sleeping bag. Otherwise, a little good clean mud never hurt anybody! Do have some kind of plastic bag (even a shopping bag would do) to protect your tent from the muddy clothes.


Pretty much every campsite on west coast trail has ample water, along with ocean, and there lots of opportunity to give the pants a good rinse and scrub in the gravel/sand where it goes into the ocean. You might get muddy during the day but it's not too difficult to give it a good rinse once you get into camp, heck, slip your boots off and go for a quick wade and scrub. As long as you're wearing nylon pants that mostly dry quick it's not a big deal.

Posted by: phat

Re: Gaiter Users - 04/09/12 08:30 PM

Originally Posted By phat

Pretty much every campsite on west coast trail has ample water, along with ocean, and there lots of opportunity to give the pants a good rinse and scrub in the gravel/sand where it goes into the ocean. You might get muddy during the day but it's not too difficult to give it a good rinse once you get into camp, heck, slip your boots off and go for a quick wade and scrub. As long as you're wearing nylon pants that mostly dry quick it's not a big deal.


And if you camp at cribs, if you go to the opposite side of the river (easy to walk across) from the toilets and bear boxes and walk down a little ways on the treeline, you find another stream with a large pool of black rocks that heats up real nice like if it's sunny out.. Hardly every anyone camps here and it's great.. if there's a fat hairy ugly naked man in the pool, don't worry, it's me wink
Posted by: Trailrunner

Re: Gaiter Users - 04/11/12 05:00 PM

OR Croc gaiters have their place (I own a pair) but they are way overkill for your situation. This is (or was) a lightweight site so I recommend that you get dirty:

Dirty Girls

I have used gaiters for many years and have learned to avoid the types that run anything under your shoe. Sooner or later it WILL wear out. Velcro on the heel types are lighter and simpler to use.

Caveat: There are exceptions to every rule, like the Crocs I use for mountaineering or snowshoeing.
Posted by: wandering_daisy

Re: Gaiter Users - 04/11/12 05:52 PM

I started backpacking as a mountaineer and always had gaiters because almost every trip ended up on snow. I just got used to gaiters. I feel naked withouth them! I have light short gaiters and heavy duty long gaiters. I wear low-cut hiking shoes and the gaiters keep my socks clean and pebbles out of my shoes. Particularly on dusty trails, I like to have gaiters. When crossing snow, keeps it out. I do a lot of early season hiking where I post-hole in snow. In mud pant legs stay cleaner. Big advantage of long gaiters in poison oak- gaiters stay outside the tent in the vestibule. Walking through tall grass with dew- keeps legs and feet dry. Bushwhacking- prevents tears and protects legs from prickers. Keeps out creepy crawlies- like ticks. I also wear tall gaiters with shorts. It is easier to rinse out gaiters than the hiking pants. In camp I lay a Platypus over my black gaiters and solar heat the water. My summer hiking pants are fairly light weight and the gaiters add warmth on cold mornings. The gaiters are 90% of the time on my legs and not in the pack on my back, so the extra weight is not a big issue with me. The gaiters + low cut hiking shoes are still lighter than boots.
Posted by: OldScout

Re: Gaiter Users - 04/11/12 06:35 PM

Thanks to all who gave their input and ideas. OldScout
Posted by: ndwoods

Re: Gaiter Users - 04/18/12 12:58 AM

Ditto on the flex softshell types. I wear running shoes so I always have gaiters....no rocks in the shoes! I may have some in my head tho....LOL.