WhiteBlaze Pages 2024
A Complete Appalachian Trail Guidebook.
AVAILABLE NOW. $4 for interactive PDF(smartphone version)
Read more here WhiteBlaze Pages Store

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 23
  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    10-07-2011
    Location
    Dunedin, Florida
    Age
    39
    Posts
    78

    Default Ultralight waterproof gaiters?

    Hi all,

    I'm looking for a nice lightweight pair of waterproof gaiters similar to these:

    http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-...t_gaiters.html

    but currently available.

    I could really go with something shorter than those since I'll be in trail runners and wouldn't mind something that reaches a little bit further over the front of the shoe.

    In my limited time google'ing I haven't found any gaiters that are both waterproof and in the same weight range.

    I'll be though hiking in April with Montrail AT Plus if that makes a difference.

    I know many of you consider it a luxury item but keeping my feet as dry an comfortable as possible is one thing I think will help me make it to ME.

    Thanks!
    Nick

  2. #2
    BYGE "Biggie" TOMP's Avatar
    Join Date
    12-04-2011
    Location
    Back in NJ
    Age
    38
    Posts
    532

    Default

    Make your own, I made a pair out of lightweight tyvek for .8 oz each. Super easy and waterproof yet breathable.

  3. #3
    Registered User Ohio Grown's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-04-2009
    Location
    Albuquerque, NM
    Age
    39
    Posts
    24

    Default

    E-vent gaiters, should be pretty comfortable breathability wise. Waterproof and 1.1 oz each for a medium
    http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com...roducts_id=115

  4. #4

  5. #5
    Hiker bigcranky's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-22-2002
    Location
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Age
    61
    Posts
    7,937
    Images
    296

    Default

    The MLD gaiters are very nice. I don't think they would stand up to a serious thrashing, like off-trail in rough country, but for hiking long trails in winter they are perfect. While you're ordering stuff from them, get the eVent overmitts, too.
    Ken B
    'Big Cranky'
    Our Long Trail journal

  6. #6
    Registered User
    Join Date
    07-20-2011
    Location
    Pennsylvania, United States
    Posts
    271
    Images
    9

    Default

    Campmor.com has no name gore-tex gaiters. I bought them and they are pretty lightweight. Don't have a scale to check for you though.

    http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___78523 - website says 5oz.

    Good thing is they are waterproof AND breathable. Those silnylon ones you linked to in BPL won't breath.

  7. #7

    Default

    TOMP, I don't want gaiters, but I would be curios to see some photos of what you made. Just for future thought. Thanks.

  8. #8

    Default

    The Integral Designs eVENT shortie gaiters are pretty light weight. I have some in bright yellow...I have only used them a few times though. I don't find myself actually wearing them as much as I thought I would before I got them, but when I do wear them the seem to work just fine.
    ...take nothing but memories and pictures, leave nothing but footprints, and kill only time... (Bette Filley in Discovering the Wonders of the Wonderland Trail)

  9. #9
    Registered User Raul Perez's Avatar
    Join Date
    11-24-2009
    Location
    Long Island, NY
    Age
    45
    Posts
    590
    Images
    4

    Default

    I have the MLD e-vent gaiters. Very light and super breathable. They've seen about 120 miles so far and have been through some bush wacking due to downed trees on the trail from Hurricane Irene in 2011. They have held up beyond expectation so far.

  10. #10
    Registered User
    Join Date
    11-07-2011
    Location
    Seattle, WA
    Age
    56
    Posts
    265
    Images
    1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by TOMP View Post
    Make your own, I made a pair out of lightweight tyvek for .8 oz each. Super easy and waterproof yet breathable.
    I'd like to see your design as I just stumbled upon a roll of tyvek.

  11. #11
    BYGE "Biggie" TOMP's Avatar
    Join Date
    12-04-2011
    Location
    Back in NJ
    Age
    38
    Posts
    532

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by rafter c View Post
    TOMP, I don't want gaiters, but I would be curious to see some photos of what you made. Just for future thought. Thanks.
    Quote Originally Posted by Mike2012 View Post
    I'd like to see your design as I just stumbled upon a roll of tyvek.

    Photos sure. Also note my super sexy scarpa boots.

    DSCN0028.jpgDSCN0029.jpg

    Ok so this is made with kite quality tyvek not industrial; the difference is weight. So industrial will add maybe an ounce max. Total weight of this pair is 1.6 oz. Elastic cord with cord lock on top for shin and bottom for under boot. Total cost was around 2-3 dollars to make the pair. I had alot of left over tyvek from other projects and the elastic cords and cord locks were taken out of my old backpacks so I actually paid no direct costs to make them. You can buy everything on amazon.com, an outfitter, or fabric store. I would only try it if you have a sewing machine or access to one.

    So yeah they are waterproof and breathable. I dont notice a tempature difference with them on but that is a common complaint against gaiters. Keeps my pants mudless so my sleeping bag is cleaner. Fits tight and doesnt slide. Also the color was added with acrylic ink, in tour de france leading gold.

    By design I hope you dont mean a pattern or anything. The only design I used was in my head, but its pretty easy to conceptualize your own and lots of pics online for ideas. Takes about 20 minutes to sew the pair; so easy to make/ replace. I find them very durable even on bushwacks they have held up. Also super easy to clean.

  12. #12
    Registered User q-tip's Avatar
    Join Date
    02-04-2009
    Location
    Richmond, VA
    Age
    68
    Posts
    1,034
    Images
    54

    Default

    Dirty Girl Gaiters.. Colorful, 1.2 oz. pair.

  13. #13
    LT '79; AT '73-'14 in sections; Donating Member Kerosene's Avatar
    Join Date
    09-03-2002
    Location
    Minneapolis
    Age
    66
    Posts
    5,446
    Images
    558

    Default

    +1 for the MLD shortie eVent gaiters.
    GA←↕→ME: 1973 to 2014

  14. #14
    Registered User Storm's Avatar
    Join Date
    11-27-2009
    Location
    Massillon, Oh
    Age
    77
    Posts
    1,022
    Images
    123

    Default

    Bought short nylon gaiters on Ebay for $10. Why do you need them if you are through hiking.
    "The difficult can be done immediately, the impossible takes a little longer"

  15. #15
    BYGE "Biggie" TOMP's Avatar
    Join Date
    12-04-2011
    Location
    Back in NJ
    Age
    38
    Posts
    532

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by q-tip View Post
    Dirty Girl Gaiters.. Colorful, 1.2 oz. pair.
    Are these waterproof though as the OP asked? It says it is made of spandex, keeps particles out but probably not mud splashes of water.

  16. #16
    Registered User
    Join Date
    10-07-2011
    Location
    Dunedin, Florida
    Age
    39
    Posts
    78

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by q-tip View Post
    Dirty Girl Gaiters.. Colorful, 1.2 oz. pair.
    Are you sure those are waterproof?

  17. #17

    Default

    eVent isn't all that breathable.

    If most folks are anything like me they'll get sweaty feet once the temps hit the mid 70s. Even without gaiters my feet get sweaty just above that temperature. Uncoated nylon with a DWR spray is about as breathable as you can get and still have any water repellency, and the fabric must be so tightly woven to achieve this that it shuts out just about all air.

    Gaiters are for cold weather, especially with snow.

    Some folks say that gaiters keep trail debris out of their low tops. I can buy that, but they still severly limit the ability of your feet to breathe.

    I've had coated, uncoated, OR lows, and EMS low Shoeller gaiters. I can't even find them anymore.

    The last time I used gaiters I used my OR Crocs. They are worth their weight in snow (still don't breathe well except in cold, dry conditions).

    One more thing (edit) - Unless your shoes are waterproof gaiters will only be a very temporary solution to keeping your feet dry, and only the top of your socks at that.

    Uncoated gaiters for ticks would be good for shorts wearers, and the best material would probably be similar to support hose material, treated with permethrin, which kills ticks after they crawl 8" on it (or so I've read).
    Last edited by Tinker; 02-16-2012 at 23:53.
    As I live, declares the Lord God, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn back from his way and live. Ezekiel 33:11

  18. #18

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Nick&Bruce View Post
    Hi all,
    I could really go with something shorter than those since I'll be in trail runners and wouldn't mind something that reaches a little bit further over the front of the shoe.

    In my limited time google'ing I haven't found any gaiters that are both waterproof and in the same weight range.

    I'll be though hiking in April with Montrail AT Plus if that makes a difference.
    A quick glance at those and I didn't see any mention of gortex. If your feet are wet I'd like to propose the idea that it doesn't really matter if your ankles stay dry. I hiked the AT in http://www.integraldesigns.com/produ...ail.cfm?id=765 mostly to keep junk from making it's way into my shoes but I figured hey they are waterproof too that can't hurt. Big mistake, dry ankles didn't help me any but the waterproofing means that they didn't breath as well and there were plenty of nice summer days where I wished that I'd picked something more breathable.

  19. #19

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Bucho View Post
    A quick glance at those and I didn't see any mention of gortex. If your feet are wet I'd like to propose the idea that it doesn't really matter if your ankles stay dry. I hiked the AT in http://www.integraldesigns.com/produ...ail.cfm?id=765 mostly to keep junk from making it's way into my shoes but I figured hey they are waterproof too that can't hurt. Big mistake, dry ankles didn't help me any but the waterproofing means that they didn't breath as well and there were plenty of nice summer days where I wished that I'd picked something more breathable.
    Bingo! Leave the waterproof/breathable footwear for weekenders who can pick and choose the conditions they walk in.

    In an all day rain it's unlikely that your feet will remain dry. Since a shoe or boot doesn't take or hold a DWR treatment well (except for heavy treatments- wax or oil/grease), the rain will eventually sheet on the outside of your footwear. The result is the same as with a wp/b garment - the water in liquid form as a sheet on the outside of the garment (or boot) will prevent the moisture in vapor form from moving through the membrane - result - damp/wet feet - not from the rain, but from your sweat.

    Go with a quick drying, breathable shoe or boot and don't even entertain the thought that gaiters will help to keep your feet dry. Rain runs down bare legs and under any gaiter (unless you have a dry suit gasket at the top - something I've never seen in gaiters) and soaks into your socks, so you must wear long, waterproof pants over the gaiters to achieve a shingle effect to keep the rain from your socks.
    As I live, declares the Lord God, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn back from his way and live. Ezekiel 33:11

  20. #20

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by q-tip View Post
    Dirty Girl Gaiters.. Colorful, 1.2 oz. pair.
    I'm also a fan of the Dirty Girl Gaiters.

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
++ New Posts ++

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •