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Date:
July 24, 2005
 Product
Information
Product Tested: Integral Designs eVENT Shortie Gaiters
Manufacturer Website: http://www.integraldesigns.com
Year of Manufacture: 2005
Fabric Description: eVENT Storm 3L is a 3.1 oz/yd2 triple grid
ripstop waterproof breathable fabric with tricot backing, 100% nylon
Color: Dark green
Sizes Available: Small (US
4-10), large (US 10-12)
Size Tested: Large
Weight Listed: 2.5 oz (70 g)
Weight as Delivered: 2.4 oz (68 g), silnylon stuff sack .3 oz (8.5
g)
MSRP: $25
Product
Description
According to the Integral Designs website, the eVENT Shortie Gaiters are
“ultra lightweight simple gaiters designed to keep snow and stones out
of boots and trail runners and keep socks and boot tops dry when hiking in
rain or through wet grass. Made from highly breathable trilaminate eVENT
fabric, they are comfortable to wear all day long without excessive
condensation buildup. Insteps are reinforced with black supplex nylon. The
eVENT gaiters have no zippers or velcro and are designed to be put on
before putting on footwear. The replaceable shock cord snugs under the
instep (flip to back of footwear when hiking over sharp rocks). The top
shock cord and toggle adjust for a comfortable and snug fit around the
ankles”.
Information
On eVENT Technology
Basically BHA Technologies has developed a “better Gore-Tex”, which is
branded as e-VENT. Both Gore-Tex and
e-VENT are an expanded PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene, a.k.a. Teflon)
membrane laminated to a nylon fabric. The difference is that the Gore-Tex
PTFE membrane is coated with a thin layer of polyurethane (PU) on the
inside that is hydrophilic (water absorbent) to make it permeable to
water. The PU layer is necessary to protect the PTFE membrane from fouling
by body oils, but the downside is that it greatly restricts the
breathability of the fabric. BHA Technologies found a way to make the PTFE
membrane oleophobic (oil resistant), so it does not need the breathability-inhibiting
PU coating to protect it from contaminants. The result is a
waterproof-breathable fabric that will move moisture 30%-200% (depending
on humidity level) faster than Gore-Tex XCR.
Field Test Report
Test Locations And Conditions—In
the first two months of testing I have worn the Shortie Gaiters on 15
trips totaling 25 days. Activities include snowshoeing, day hiking, peak
ascents, and backpacking. Elevations ranged from 5,000 ft (1524 m) to over
13,000 ft (3962 m), and temperatures ranged from 15-85 F (-9 to 29
C). Terrains included alpine snowpack, desert shrubland, steep sliderock
slopes, avalanche debris, dusty trails, stream crossings, muddy trails,
dense forest vegetation, and alpine bogs.
How The Shortie Gaiters Were Used— I typically wear lightweight low
cut boots, but a frequent problem is snow and debris getting into my
boots. The Integral Designs eVENT Shortie Gaiters were tested for keeping
snow/dirt/mud/water out of my boots. I wore the Shortie Gaiters on every
trip I went on, and wore them all day. I wore the Gaiters for snowshoeing,
hiking in all types of trail conditions, hiking off-trail in all types of
conditions, stream crossings, wading through soft snow, and bushwhacking
through avalanche debris and thick forest undergrowth.
I used them in cold weather and hot weather. I wore them on hot
dusty trails and wet alpine meadows. The only conditions I did not test
them in is rain and wet vegetation. There has been very little rainfall in
the past two months, but I expect that to change with the onset of our
summer monsoon season in August.
Quality ,Construction, And
Fit—The construction and workmanship are excellent. Seams are double
stitched and the high abrasion areas inside the ankles are reinforced with
durable fabric. The gaiters
(size large tested) are big enough to cover the tops of my big boots (size
11.5 EEEE). The seams are not taped on the inside like they are on the e-VENT
rain jacket.
Features—Highly breathable
eVENT fabric, metal hook in front to connect to boot laces, elastic cord
under heel, elastic cord with cordlock to snug the top, supplex nylon
reinforcement inside ankles.
Ease Of Use—The gaiters have
no zippers, so they usually must be slipped on before putting on boots
(and the reverse to take them off). They will slide on over my low cut
trail running shoes, but they do not go on over my mid-height or
full-height boots. I did not find this to be a problem because I
consistently wore them all day.
The elastic cord and cordlock in the top hem worked well to hold the
gaiters up. They stayed up over pant legs very well, with some sag created
by ankle flex. When I wore them with hiking shorts, they tended to slide
down a little more, but it was not a problem. I had no problems with the
elastic cord cutting off circulation in my legs.
From past experience, I knew that wearing the gaiters with the elastic
cord under my heel would result in it wearing through quickly, so from the
beginning I put the elastic cord around the back of my boot (photo). That
arrangement worked great for all types of use, and I did not have any
problems with snow or debris pushing in from the bottom of the gaiters.
 Performance—Simply
put, the gaiters do their job very well. I had no problems with
snow/debris/mud/water/dust entering my boots, even when glissading down
steep snowfields or bushwhacking through heavy undergrowth. The Shortie
Gaiters are the most functional 2.4 oz (68 g) in my backpacking kit. After
wearing them for 15 consecutive trips, I now put them on instinctively and
feel naked without them.
On a recent backpacking trip, my hiking partner from another state showed
up with the same gaiters. His were brand new. After 5 days of wading
snowdrifts and tramping through wet meadows, we both felt that the gaiters
paid for themselves on that one trip.
The Shortie Gaiters helped to keep my boots dry on stream crossings. I
simply planned my route and did it fast. My boots stayed dry for the most
part, since water did not come in from the top.
The highly breathable eVENT fabric makes the Shortie Gaiters comfortable
to wear all day. Over a wide range of temperatures and hiking conditions,
not once did my lower legs feel uncomfortable or did I feel a need to take
the gaiters off. I put them on in the morning and took them off at the end
of the day.
I have observed other hikers wearing gaiters while backpacking off
trail in the alpine country. It seemed unnecessary to me, until I started
wearing the Shortie Gaiters. The gaiters keep everything out of my boots
while I am hiking. My socks stay a lot cleaner. The gaiters protect my
ankles and lower legs when I wear low- or mid-height boots.
Durability—The gaiters have
had a lot of hard use and have held up very well so far, with no seams
coming apart, no punctures, and very few abrasions. I have washed the
gaiters six times so far (hand wash with mild soap) and find that they
easily clean up and dry fast.
Suitability For Lightweight And
Ultralight Backpacking—The Shortie Gaiters do add a little weight to
your feet (1.2 oz/34 g per foot), which is significant when one is trying
to reduce weight. According to US Army research, removing 1 pound (454
grams) from your back is equivalent to removing 6.4 pounds (2.9 kg) from
your back. But weight has to be balanced with functionality, and I feel
that the Shortie Gaiters provide a lot of functionality for their minimal
weight. This is a situation where I would choose to add a little weight to
my kit, and look for other places to cut weight.
Measurements—Size large is 10
in (25 cm) high, 9 in (23 cm) wide at the bottom, and 7.5 in (19 cm) wide
at the top.
Washing Instructions—“Hand
wash with mild soap. Drip dry. Do not dry clean or bleach.”
Current Impressions—The
Shortie Gaiters made a convert out of me. I hike off trail a lot, in some
really rugged and messy conditions. The gaiters work great to keep
everything out of my boots, protect my ankles, and keep my socks a lot
cleaner. I feel that the ID Shortie Gaiters are an excellent choice
because of their light weight, high breathability, and durability. I
like the zipperless/no Velcro design. It saves weight and makes the
gaiters fit better. The e-VENT fabric is so breathable that I can
comfortably leave them on all day. The lace hook on the front is very
sturdy. I like the reinforcement with supplex nylon on the heavy wear area
inside of each gaiter. I also like the elastic cord and cordlock
adjustment at the tops of the gaiters.
My Expectations For The
Integral Designs Event Shortie Gaiters—Following
is an update on my expectations for the Integral Designs eVENT Shortie
Gaiters:
-
The
gaiters will be breathable enough so they will be comfortable to wear
hiking all day, without taking them off. This includes hiking uphill
carrying a pack in warm weather. (Very true, I experienced no
discomfort wearing them all day.)
-
I
will find the Shortie Gaiters to be an extremely useful piece of gear,
and will want to take them with me, and wear them, on backpacking
trips. (Very true, the Shortie Gaiters are probably the most
functional 2.4 oz (68 g) piece of gear in my backpacking kit.)
-
The
gaiters will be convenient to use, i.e., I can put them on and leave
them on all day. The elastic drawcrod and cordlock will hold them in
place so they don’t slide down. (Very true, everything works.)
-
The
gaiters will wick away moisture and feel dry inside, even under high
exertion levels. (True, no problems with moisture buildup inside the
gaiters so far.)
-
The
gaiters will keep dust/dirt/mud/snow/water out my boots. (Absolutely,
they work great for this purpose. I love them.)
-
The
gaiters will be tall enough to keep my hiking pants and boots dry when
walking through wet vegetation. (Not adequately tested yet.)
-
The
Shortie Gaiters will be really durable and will easily handle
bushwhacking and scrambling without serious abrasions, punctures, or
seams coming apart. They will retain their waterproofness even when
they are abraded on the outside. (True for durability. I have not
tested them in rainy conditions, so more testing is needed to comment
on waterproofness.)
-
For
lightweight backpacking, the gaiters’ utility will justify their 2.4
oz (68 g) weight. (True, in my opinion.)
Reviewer
Name:
Will Rietveld
Age: 62
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft (183 cm)
Weight: 170 lb (77 kg)
Foot Size: 11.5 EEEE (US)
Email: willi_wabbit@bresnan.net
City & State:
Durango CO 81301
Location for Testing:
Southwestern US (Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico).
Backpacking Background
I have been an avid backpacker for 47 years. I am retired and backpacking
is my passion. During the summer I backpack nearly every week. During the
fall, winter, and spring I backpack, day hike, snowshoe, or ski every
week. I backpack in wilderness areas in Colorado Utah, Arizona, New Mexico
and occasionally in other western states.
Backpacking Style—I have been
a lightweight backpacker for 30 years, an ultralight backpacker for 6
years, and a super ultralight backpacker for two months. My wife and I
give presentations on ultralight backpacking in the local area, and have
developed a website called Southwest
Ultralight Backpacking to share information.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Integral Designs and the BackpackGearTest Group for
selecting me to participate in this test.
Will Rietveld
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