• Highly vapor permeable and less expensive than Gore-Tex
• Very durable
• Nylon instep lace
• Designed for use in relatively dry conditions where snow or debris getting into the boot is a bigger concern than water.
• 8 oz. packcloth foot section, coated
  • Lighter than Cordura and more stuffable
  • Durable enough for typical backpacking and hiking uses.
  • Coating provides water resistance for the upper portion of the boot.
• 1-inch wide Velcro front closure
  • Front closure is much easier and faster to get in and out of than side or back openings.
  • Offset overlapping helps accommodate different clothing combinations.
  • Excellent seal against snow and water.
  • Won’t break, freeze or jam like a zipper often does.
• Hook and snap at bottom front
  • Snap at bottom of Velcro front strip keeps Velcro from peeling at edge.
  • The narrower Velcro necessitates the use of this snap, whereas the 1 1/2-inch or 2-inch used in our other gaiters have a much higher peel strength.
  • Heavy-duty hook for extra durability at the attachment.
• Strap and buckle top closure
  • The very low profile of this buckle makes it comfortable even when the gaiter is against the bare skin of the leg when wearing shorts.
  • Easy to open and close with bulky handwear.
  • Never slips and won’t let the top of the gaiter slip down the leg.
  • Nylon webbing strap will not cut into the leg when tightened like narrower draw cords.
• Elastic bottom edge
  • Wide range of boots can be accommodated by the stretch of the elastic.
  • Allows the instep cord to be permanently tied. When the gaiter is put on, the boot can then be simply stepped into and the Velcro front closed and hooked. Very easy and fast.

• Fit. Do they fit me? Is the sizing on the web site accurate? Do they fit over different shoes easily? How well do they fit over pants?
• Fabric. Is the packcloth durable (I have no prior experience with the fabric)? Does it stretch? Does it fade? Is it windproof? Waterproof? Does it pill, pull, or snag readily?
• Durability. How does the Velcro hold up to repeated use? How about the hardware?
• Comfort. Can I wear the gaiters over my bare legs without chafing?
• Wearability. Are they easy to put on/take off? With cold hands?
• Packability. How packable are they? I will attempt to pack the items as part of my 3-season load in/on (preferably in) my pack.
• Washability. Are there special instructions? Are they easy to follow? Do they dry well? Do they hold much dirt in the first place?
• Sealing. Do the gaiters do what they are supposed to do – keep stuff out of my shoes?

• Fit. The fit was a bit snug in the upper calf area due to the size of my legs. The fit issue was compounded when wearing long pants, although the gaiters still fit as long as the pants were not bulky. I tend toward shorts while hiking, so this is a minimal issue at this time. They are a tad longer than I need (I have short legs for my size), but not so much that there is enough material to cause tripping or tangling of anything around my ankles.
• Fabric. This is some good stuff. No tears, pulls or snags, even after thorny encounters.
• Durability. The Velcro still functions like new. The cords, while dirty, do not seem to be contacting the ground as much as I predicted, resulting only in collection of dirt that can easily be removed with a little water and some elbow grease. The hooks and grommets show no wear.
• Comfort. While I was aware that I was wearing the gaiters, I had no discomfort to speak of.
• Wearability. The gaiters go on easily and quickly, even in cooler temperatures.
• Packability. After wearing the gaiters for a while, I realized that I won’t really be packing them that often – I will be wearing them whenever trail conditions dictate.
• Washability. The gaiters have been machine washed and dried with no problems.
• Sealing. Nothing has yet gotten into my shoes while wearing the gaiters.

1. They fit over my bulky boots.
2. Well made.
3. When worn, they don’t seem to weigh much of anything.
4. They keep things out of my shoes.
5. Durable.

1. The instep cords seem a bit small (thin or lightweight) to be terribly durable. If worn with any shoe that doesn’t have an instep (which my current shoes do), the cords will touch the ground on every step. I have not noticed any wear in 6 months, so this may well be me overreacting.
2. The only method of adjustment for the instep cords is tying and re-tying them through the grommets at the bottom of the gaiters. I am fairly competent at knot tying (i.e. taut-line hitch), but this could be an issue for some users. Of course, once properly adjusted, they may be left tied.
3. The sizing is a bit off for me, as I have short, thick legs. Accordingly, the gaiters are a bit long (which just results in some blousing) and a bit snug around my calves (which is fine while wearing shorts, but does not permit wearing heavy or insulated pants). Presumably I could go a size up to get more room in the calves, but the gaiters would probably be even longer, which could result in too much excess material. Perhaps custom sizing?

Reviews > Rain Gear > Gaiters > OR Rocky Mountain High Packcloth Gaiters > Chuck Kime > Long Term Report