View Full Version : Gaiters---Yes or No
Planning on leaving Springer--NOBO--in March. Currently have most of my gear and clothing but uncertain on wether or not to take/purchase some Gaiters. Please give me your experience and/or suggestions on if I should purchase this piece of wear and if so which style or kind or best suited for the AT.
Thanks in advance for the help.
Mizirlou
11-16-2010, 18:11
They're hot. They chafe.
If you're not hiking in ankle deep snow,then I don't see a point in the things. Some people like to wear knee-high gaiters with shorts...
I used a pair of short OR's last year. They helped keep the debris out of your shoes and deflected some of the ticks too. Keep 'em packed if it's too hot.
Lone Wolf
11-16-2010, 18:28
no need for gaiters
C Seeker
11-16-2010, 18:28
I've been wondering the same thing...Do they help with rain to not soak to your boots when it rains everyday in Maine? Also I will be hiking in a little bit of snow would I need them?
jersey joe
11-16-2010, 18:31
I've been wondering the same thing...Do they help with rain to not soak to your boots when it rains everyday in Maine? Also I will be hiking in a little bit of snow would I need them?
If it is raining every day, there really isn't anything that will keep your boots dry.
aaronthebugbuffet
11-16-2010, 18:39
If you're not hiking in ankle deep snow,then I don't see a point in the things.
no need for gaiters
I agree with these guys.
Blissful
11-16-2010, 19:43
I wouldn't bother. They contribute to blisters. I sent mine home in '07 at Neels Gap.
The Snowman
11-16-2010, 19:48
yes in the winter if there is snow. maybe in the summer on sandy beach walks but on the AT I don't bother
I've been wondering the same thing...Do they help with rain to not soak to your boots when it rains everyday in Maine? Also I will be hiking in a little bit of snow would I need them?
Mechanically speaking, to keep water out of your boots your gaiters have to be under waterproof pants which have to be under a waterproof parka (shingle effect). Gaiters on bare legs won't keep water from running down your skin and into your socks. They may help a bit on wet grass, but I'm with most of the folks here. Gaiters are for use in snow, with waterproof boots, under waterproof pants, etc. (you get the idea:)).
Morning Glory
11-16-2010, 23:22
I sectioned through the GSMNP this summer and it is the first time I wished I had gaitors. I like to get hiking early in the a.m. (notice my trail name), and although it was nice sunny day, my feet would get soaked from all the dew. I especially remember my feet getting soaked going over Mt. Buckley early in the morning. The tall grass is really bad. I still probably won't get a pair. I just don't feel like carrying them. In similar terrain (where this is a lot of grass), I'll probably just start later in the morning, allowing the sun to dry things out a little more.
I always hike with my REI Desert gaiters. They are short, light and breathe very well. I have never had any blisters from them. When hiking in wet grass it helps a lot. In drier condishions it helps keep debris out of my boots. I love them and always hike with them.
I will always wear knee high gaiters from now one when I'm using crampons. I prefer to wear them in deep snow like when I'd be wearing snowshoes. I may also wear them when bushwhacking through thorny brush. I don't think they're worth it in the rain. If anything, I'd modify my rain pants with some sort of strap or clasp so it securely covers the top of my footwear.
double d
11-17-2010, 04:12
Like most things, you need to find out for yourself if you like them, but I used to wear them, but not any longer for alot of the reasons already listed here.
Pedaling Fool
11-17-2010, 08:50
Like most things, you need to find out for yourself if you like them, but I used to wear them, but not any longer for alot of the reasons already listed here.
This is true. I didn't start out hiking with gaiters, but after 1,000 miles I broke down and bought a pair when I got to harper's ferry. I was just sick of the sweat and dirt making mud in my boots. We all have our handicaps:)
I wear them for one reason; keep debris (peebles, dirt, twigs...) out of my boots.
The cheap ankle-high gaiters are perfect for me, something like these (they only cost ~$20) http://www.rei.com/product/721674 (http://www.rei.com/product/721674)
If you're the type of hiker that does not get debris in your shoes as you hike, then gaiters are useless, but if you're like me, they are essential. For some reason I can't walk without kicking up crap, and it all lands in my boots.
P.S. If you notice in the link above, gaiters have a string that goes under the boot. I can't count how many times I had to replace that string in rocky terrain, i.e. from Pennsylvania north. I stopped replacing the string and the gaiters work just fine.
__________________
As for gortex, I've never bought them and wouldn't recommend them since your feet will get wet regardless. I once hiked in gortex hiiking boots, didn't like them, feet still got wet either from rain down the legs or sweat; the same thing will happen with gaiters on -- they're only for keeping out debris.
garlic08
11-17-2010, 08:53
Like most things, you need to find out for yourself if you like them, but I used to wear them, but not any longer for alot of the reasons already listed here.
Ditto this.
I really think some people like them because they make you look like a "real" hiker.:)
I use them. I have the old OR Flex-Tex Low. They don't make them anymore. You can still get the ones that come up a little higher.
I started using them hiking the Florida Trail, primarily to keep out tics. I wear long nylon hiking pants, tuck them into the gaiters, and spray the gaiters with DEET and Chig-Out to keep the tics and chiggers off my legs.
I noticed right away that they had the added benefit of keeping debris, rocks, and sand out of my shoe. I got so used to them that I now wear them on AT section hikes.
Personally, I don't think they look cool at all. In fact, they make you look downright dorky. They also don't "make you look like a hiker" because almost no one wears them. I use them because they work for what I want them to do.
I recommend trying them at least to see whether you prefer the dorky look to stopping periodically to get the rocks out of your shoe. If you don't like them, send them home. Don't worry, if you do send them home they won't be the only thing in the box. :) You'll probably have about 5 or 10 pounds of other stuff you find you don't want to carry.
Hike on!
I use the Integral Designs eVent Shortie Gaiters. I have had no problems wearing them in warm-hot weather and now when I'm hiking my socks stay nice and clean instead of getting dirt, bark, rocks, etc in them. I find that when I'm hiking in rain my boots are much more likely to pick up debris than when it's dry out. So even though I don't normally wear rain pants the gaiters help with keeping me MUCH more comfortable when hiking.
Slo-go'en
11-17-2010, 11:49
I use them in the spring. Keeps the pants legs from getting all muddy. Knee high gaiters and a rain skirt work as well as rain pants - maybe better. I use a pair of gaiters made of light wieght nylon.
Chance09
11-17-2010, 12:25
They're hot. They chafe.
This seems like a very narrow minded opinon seeing as not all gaiters are made of the same material or length.
I wear gaiters every time I hike because it keeps debrie out of my socks and shoes thus preventing more blisters and chaffing. The ones I wear are only ankle high, highly breathable, and not hot at all.
I wore them through the mojave desert on the PCT this year and they didn't bother me at all.
For some reason not too many people on the AT know about Dirty Girl Gaiters. They're super lightweight, no more than 3 ounces for the pair and they come in tons of different colors and patterns. I went with the Giardia style pattern.
I highly recommend giving them a try. They only cost around $15 dollars and each one bundles up to about the size of a squished tissue.
Unlike most gaiters they don't have a string that attaches underneath the shoes and saves you the problem about having to replace that after a few weeks of wear and tear. They attach to your laces in the front and some velcro on the back of your shoe.
I have mine rigged so that I can even wear them with my Vibrams.
Think of what soldiers and Marines wore in their amphibious assaults during World War II. They wore canvas gaiters over their boondockers, a medium rise boot with an open top. There were no illusions that the gaiters were waterproof, or would keep water out of a boot. Their purpose was to keep debris and mud out of the boot. Dirty socks and rocks mean blisters, and a soldier or Marine that stopped to dump out the rocks or change socks was at risk of being shot, or holding up his unit. Keeping trouser legs clean was a bonus - dirt means disease in some parts of the world.
Experience on the trail counts for a lot, and there is good gear and not-so good gear. Think about your trail conditions, your footwear, and your attire. If you take gaiters and don't like them, bounce them, send them home, or put them in the hiker box for someone else to use. And do you really care what you look like on a thru-hike?
I never really wore them on the AT but when I was heading to Alaska I bought low ones because people told me how wet everything is up there. I must admit they helped when bushwhacking and stream crossings. On the one hike ya had to cross several streams and a couple of them were deeper than my boot tops. Well my friend switched his shoes at each crossing while I just walked thru the water and believe it or not they kept the water out of my boots. My socks stayed dry and feet stayed happy. Anymore I think I will carry them with me when I am hiking. I would say they are worth the money, for me they were.
ChinMusic
11-17-2010, 15:42
I may wear gators in areas where I will be hiking through a lot of sand/snow. But for normal AT hiking I find them to be completely useless.
I had a pr. of gaiters before my thru. It was one of the items I decided to leave home and not take. In early spring going NOBO during rainey days I would wear rain pants. When it got warmer I didn't wear them so I sent them home and got my gaiters. They were nice to have and I would wear them, knee high, in the morning when it was cool and the grass along the trail was wet. I also would wear them when I hiked in the rain. They were Gortex and seemed to help to keep water out of my boots. I am alergic to poison ivy and in several sections of the trail poison ivy was all along the trail so I would wear my gaiters to protect my lower legs.
I sent them home from Harpers Ferry and didn't use them again. I guess it's up to you to decide if you need them or not.
mkmangold
11-18-2010, 23:06
I may wear gators in areas where I will be hiking through a lot of sand/snow. But for normal AT hiking I find them to be completely useless.
Didn't they bite?
ChinMusic
11-18-2010, 23:44
Didn't they bite?
Mine claw.
4eyedbuzzard
11-19-2010, 00:25
And do you really care what you look like on a thru-hike?No. Well, um, yeah - to some degree.
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/1/4/8/5/MSa.jpg
Mizirlou
11-19-2010, 07:34
Bling’ed out! Thanx for the fab photo, buzz.
This seems like a very narrow minded opinon...they come in tons of different colors and patterns. I went with the Giardia style pattern.
Jeez now that I know they come in fashionable hues, I’ll reconsider. :D
Berserker
11-19-2010, 13:16
For some reason not too many people on the AT know about Dirty Girl Gaiters. They're super lightweight, no more than 3 ounces for the pair and they come in tons of different colors and patterns. I went with the Giardia style pattern.
I know about them and I love 'em...white skulls with red eyes on black pattern here...get a lot of comments on them. I like the giardia one too...may order a second pair in that pattern.
To answer the OP, I agree with most others here. "Normal" gaiters are too hot, and will just slow down the process of saturating your shoes or boots in the rain. The Dirty Girl gaiters are made out of a light weight nylon spandex material that breathes well. They are solely for the purpose of keeping debris out of your shoes, which is a huge problem for me (I seem to kick stuff into the opposite shoe each time I take a step). I wear trail runners by the way. If you don't tend to get debris in your shoes then going with no gaiters should be fine.
The one condition where normal gaiters do have a place is in snow. I wear them in snow to keep the snow from filling up my boots (yeah I wear boots in snow...deep snow that is).
Didn't they bite?
I would think so. Thats going a little too far to keep dirt out of your boots.
Tenderheart
11-19-2010, 13:35
I wore the cheap( not Gore-Tex) OR long gaiters on my thru. True, they won't keep rain out of your shoes or boots, but they do help keep your socks and legs clean. Also, I never got bee stings after the yellow jackets went in the ground in the Fall. I will probably wear long gaiters again next year, but mine are now black sweat pants cut off to 18 inches and turned upside down with the stretchy ankle part just below my knees. I don't try to secure them under my shoe. I cut it so that it blouses over my shoe.This is the only item of cotton that I will carry. Just as others have said, some like them and some don't.
litefoot 2000
I think in most cases they're more of a fashion accessory than anything else. I do have a set of waterproof low gaiters, but only find them worth the hassle of strapping them on when I'm wearing shorts (just to keep rocks out of the top of my trail runners).
I more like them than not, I hike in low-top shoes and they do keep the crud out of your shoes, socks - overall more + then -. Have never had blisters, etc. My gaiters are low top and really light. Outdoor Research.
Old graymare
11-20-2010, 11:20
Picture takes my breath away.
Take your socks, and fold them on the outside of your trail runner or boots ... Debris problem solved. "Clean socks" ? Seriously? You're thru-hiking ... whats clean?
superman
11-20-2010, 20:03
winter use only in snow
I agree.
In the winter snow I where gators, long undies and shorts. During the summer I only wear shorts.
9451 These are hikers and none of them are wearing gaitors. I rest my case.:)
Ramble~On
11-20-2010, 20:24
I done did worn me a pair O' em' gaiters bet part O' 2000 miles back in 09. En back there in 96 I worn a pair too likewise for right bout 900 miles. See, them gaiters is a right like personal thing. I like em' real good and they do me no wrong doin' neither.
See, they keep mud an dirt off my calve leg parts an in muddy sloggin' conditions (ya know..the AT) they keep my socks from getting more dirtier than need be gettin. Them gaiters cover up a good part of my boots and that keeps them laces from getting all dirt muddy. Mornin dew on them blades o grass don't get my boots and legs all wet and cold yukky and ticks and such varmin critter type critters don't seem much to care for the spray stuff I give a heapin' dose to my gaiters now an again.
I don't get little rocks an twigs and other junk nasties down inside my booties an I deem them gaiters as a standard piece of my hike walkin' attire. Tarnation sakes, I think them gaiters is a might fine, damn sexxxxy piece of equipment.
I done did worn me a pair O' em' gaiters bet part O' 2000 miles back in 09. En back there in 96 I worn a pair too likewise for right bout 900 miles. See, them gaiters is a right like personal thing. I like em' real good and they do me no wrong doin' neither.
See, they keep mud an dirt off my calve leg parts an in muddy sloggin' conditions (ya know..the AT) they keep my socks from getting more dirtier than need be gettin. Them gaiters cover up a good part of my boots and that keeps them laces from getting all dirt muddy. Mornin dew on them blades o grass don't get my boots and legs all wet and cold yukky and ticks and such varmin critter type critters don't seem much to care for the spray stuff I give a heapin' dose to my gaiters now an again.
I don't get little rocks an twigs and other junk nasties down inside my booties an I deem them gaiters as a standard piece of my hike walkin' attire. Tarnation sakes, I think them gaiters is a might fine, damn sexxxxy piece of equipment.
Thought there for a minute i was reading a script from "brother were art tho" .... hike your own hike ... give um a try, like he said its all personal preference ... I don't think anyone looks goofier on the trail than smith in that picture ... but i bet he wouldn't have it any other way ... Cheers, and happy hiking!
I used a pair of OR Flex Tex gaiters this year from Springer to Damascus, and there were some early mornings hiking in tall, WET grass and weeds where they were helpful, but most days they were hot and unnecessary, and probably did contribute to blister problems I experienced. Next year I do not plan on bringing them, most of the trail is cleared wll enough you don't need them.. at least til mid summer's overgrowth. If i find I need them later in the summer, they are easy enuff to pick up at an outfitter along the trail.
Chance09
11-20-2010, 23:01
No. Well, um, yeah - to some degree.
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/1/4/8/5/MSa.jpg
is the minniesotasmith or are you just copying his style?
I use them mostly to keep debris out of low cut trail runners. If I wore boots I might not. If conditions are dry, use Dirty Girl gaiters; if wet, use Integral Designs Event Shorty gaiters.
daltontr
11-21-2010, 12:52
...
9451 These are hikers and none of them are wearing gaitors. I rest my case.:)
lol...hiker lemmings. j/k ;)
Seriously though, in certain situations gaiters are worth their weight in gold, other times, they're just a fashion accessory. Either way, if they make you happy, I say wear them and don't worry about what the masses are doing or thinking. Follow your own path.
I live in Southeastern VA and I do quite a bit of hiking in and around the coast line. I don't own a pair of gaiters, but I bet a short pair of gaiters would work wonders at keeping those pesky sand burrs out of my kids socks and shoes. :-?
writeronthestorm
12-13-2010, 20:48
I haven't hiked the AT but for me Gaiters are nice when hiking in muddy or wet conditions. The main reason is that mud and dirt get thrown backwards and up from the bottom of my boots, and if I don't have gaiters on, the back of my legs from the knees down get soaked in mud. Also on narrow trails where undergrowth and brush are encroaching in on the trail, the gaiters will protect your pants from moisture from rain or even dew. And of course if its raining they will keep feet dry. It's nice having the gaiters to keep you dry, but I always feel uncomfortable wearing them. As a matter of fact there have been times when I didn't bring them and a mile in wish I had because the leggings on my pants were soaked, or it rained and water was getting into my boots.
I use them mostly to keep debris out of low cut trail runners. If I wore boots I might not. If conditions are dry, use Dirty Girl gaiters;
I second this one. Dirty Girl gaiters are great. I don't use gaiters for rain protection - just to keep debris out of my trail runners.
Lillianp
12-17-2010, 15:56
I used OR (short) gaiters for the first few weeks on the AT this year (early march) and they were a godsend for keeping my feet warm and dry through the snow. I stopped using them once it got warmer/dryer.
one time i was hiking in some pretty decent snow. during the day the snow was melting, but it froze up after sunset. i had about 3 hours of hiking in the dark. so the snow ended up freezing in giant snowballs on the shoelaces of my trail runners, which kept coming untied b/c they had giant snowballs on the ends of them. this was madenningly annoying (not to mention sucked b/c i kept having to take of my gloves, stop hiking, and retie my shoes). i'll wear them in snow from that point forward :D
Not needed but:
- Help a lot in deep snow
- Help in deep mud
- Keep your feet dryer for longer during rain - deflect the water running down your legs away from your shoes instead of into them
- Can add some lower leg warmth in real cold
I use them in Winter, not so much three-season.
handlebar
12-17-2010, 21:51
I use them mostly to keep debris out of low cut trail runners. If I wore boots I might not. If conditions are dry, use Dirty Girl gaiters; if wet, use Integral Designs Event Shorty gaiters.
This is what I've done---except I wear boots. I find the ID E-Vent gaiters breathe very well. In addition, they've occasionally prevented water from overflowing into my boots as I've forded a stream that was just a little too deep. In winter, I hike with a kilt and wear high OR gaiiters.