Name: Ken Bigelow
Age: 27
Gender: Male
Height: 5’ 9” (1.8 m)
Weight: 205 lbs (93 kg)
Email: krb84108 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah USA
Date: November 9, 2005

Backpacking Background:

I was first dragged on a backpacking trip eight years ago and have been addicted to it ever since. My adventures vary in length from a weekend to over two weeks. I consider myself a mid-weight backpacker as I bring along a few luxuries, such as a tent. From spring through fall I typically backpack in the mountains or desert, while in winter I often go snowshoeing. I typically see a wide variety of climates ranging from 10 F (-12 C) with snow to 90 F (32 C) and sunny with just about everything in between.

Product Information:

Manufacturer: Integral Designs
Website: www.integraldesigns.com
Size: Large (Men's Size 10 US)
Listed Weight: 2.5 oz (71 g) *Not specified if this is gaiters only or gaiters and stuff sack combined
Gaiters Measured Weight: 2.4 oz (68 g)
Stuff Sack Measured Weight: 0.2 oz (6 g)
Total (Gaiters + Stuff Sack) Measured Weight: 2.6 oz (74 g)
Listed Pack Size: 2 in x 4 in (5.08 cm x 10.16 cm)
Measured Pack Size: 3 in x 4 in (7.62 cm x 10.16 cm)
Color: Yellow
MSRP: $25 (US)

Field Conditions:

During the final four months of testing, I have used the eVENT Shortie Gaiters in Canyonlands National Park, the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, the Wasatch Mountains and the Uinta Mountains. The terrain has varied greatly and has included wet and muddy corridors, slickrock, steep and rocky terrain, canyon washes, river wading and plain old dirt paths. Temperatures have ranged from 25 F (-4 C) to 95 F (35 C). I have seen all types of weather ranging from heavy rain, snow and hail to sunny. The elevations experienced have been between 4,000 feet (1,220 m) and 11,000 feet (3,353 m).

Long-Term Review:

The eVENT Shortie Gaiters have performed marvelously over the course of the test period. I have had no problems with breathability and they have kept up their superior protection from the elements for all six months. While waiting for replacement gaiters (explanation below) I went backpacking in Yellowstone for an entire week. I missed not having the Shortie Gaiters as numerous thorns, dew and even stinging nettle attacked my lower legs relentlessly. I was thrilled when the replacements arrived and will continue to wear them even though the test period is over.

While backpacking in the Uinta Mountains I noticed that the stitching connecting the supplex nylon and the eVENT fabric on one of my gaiters had come undone. This left part of the supplex nylon hanging loose from the rest of the gaiter. The heel of my left boot inadvertently caught on this material and ripped the gaiter, exposing my boot to any elements including bugs, trail debris and foliage. When I returned home I emailed Integral Designs about problem and included some pictures to better illustrate the situation. They responded and instructed me to return the gaiter for either repair or replacement. I complied and a few weeks later, a completely new pair of gaiters arrived in the mail. I have to say that I was impressed with Integral Design's customer service as they were courteous and seemed genuinely concerned about the problem.

Failed Stitching on the Supple Nylon and the Tear that Occurred

The incident has raised doubts about the durability of the Shortie Gaiters, but I am not fully convinced one way or the other. I have kept a close eye on the replacement gaiters and they have not yet shown any sign of stitching failure, but I have had them only for the last month and a half of the test period. This very well could be an isolated incident, but only time will tell for sure.

The manufacturer recommends flipping the bottom shock cord "to back of footwear when hiking over sharp rocks". I do not typically follow this advice as I tend to focus on the trail and the placement of my feet when tackling such terrain. This negligence on my part resulting in shearing my right shock cord while traversing scree in the Wasatch Mountains. While hiking with a severed shock cord I noticed that the gaiter did tend to ride up a little. I found this slightly annoying as some dirt and an occasional small pebble or two were able to enter my hiking boot, but it wasn't really too much of a problem. Replacing the shock was an easy process. I only sent in my right gaiter for the supplex repair and had retained the other in my possession (as nothing was wrong with it). This left me with an additional gaiter when the replacements arrived. I untied the shock cord on this spare gaiter and used it to replace the sheared one on my new set.

The Sheared Bottom Shock Cord Detached From Gaiter

Comfort has not been an issue, however, while wearing the gaiters with long pants. Colder daytime temperatures finally forced my pasty white legs inside pant legs until next spring. The Shortie Gaiters have adjusted to fit my fat legs even with two layers of clothing between my skin and the gaiters. Thankfully the top shock cord loosens up enough so that multiple layers can be worn in conjunction with the gaiters such that the toggle does not have to constrict blood flow to my feet. This means these should be comfortable to use with while snowshoeing this winter.

Shortie Gaiters Wore with Multiple Layers on

The Shortie Gaiters Worn in Conjunction with Two Layers of Clothing

Summary:

The eVENT Shortie Gaiters have remained comfortable, breathable and waterproof throughout the entire test period. My lower legs have had no problem breathing while wearing the gaiters, even on hot, sunny days. They are comfortable to wear all day long and never rub or irritate my skin. They have successfully kept rain, dew, mud, sand, dirt, rocks, vegetation and insects out of my footwear and off of my lower legs. They have helped me save time when having to cross streams and rivers. Their durability still remains as a question mark in my book, but Integral Design's excellent customer service certainly helps relieve any anxiety I have about their commitment to making quality products. I would like to see them improve the material of the bottom shock chord (so I will not have to flip it back over my heel when hiking over sharp rocks), but not if it compromises their weight. I would also like to see a full-sized version come out because mid-sized gaiters just aren't always going to be enough from some terrain.

Things I like:

Excellent breathability
Protects my lower legs from the environment
Waterproof
Comfortable to wear
Good customer service

Concerns:

Durability questions remain
Full-sized gaiter not available

I would like to thank Integral Designs and BackpackGearTest for the opportunity to test the eVENT Shortie Gaiters.

Read more reviews of Integral Designs gear
Read more gear reviews by Ken Bigelow

Long Term Report

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