Reviews > Rain Gear > Gaiters > REI Mistral Gaiters > Owner Review by Gail Staisil

 

The REI Mistral Gaiters have been a staple in my backpacking equipment for several years. Like a lot of people I have bought and worn my share of gaiters. When I first started backpacking I reached for my long cross-country ski gaiters. I quickly found out that they were extremely hot during the warmer months. I then invested in a shorter style of Gortex gaiters and although the length was right they were bulky and composed of a double layer of fabric making them hot and heavy to wear. I also own running-style gaiters that are very short and have to be slipped on my foot before I put on my footwear making them inconvenient for backpacking. On one of my trips to the Southwest I noticed the Mistrals at a store and was immediately impressed with their qualities. They are very lightweight and just the right height for my backpacking excursions. I quickly purchased a pair and I have recently added another pair to my gear closet in case the manufacturer ever stops making them.

I have exclusively worn the Mistral Gaiters on every backpacking trip and most dayhiking trips during non-winter months for at least the last four years. I have used them with a variety of footwear including all-leather boots, trail shoes and trail runners. I have also worn them over insulated boots in both the early and late part of winter when the conditions didn't allow me to wear mukluks.

The majority of my backpacking trips were taken either in the state of Michigan, USA or in Ontario, Canada. I have also worn the gaiters on many hiking trips in many other areas of the United States including the Southwest, Northeast and Midwest in addition to trips in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada. The terrain included hilly boreal and deciduous forest, mountains to high desert and canyon areas. Elevations ranged from 600 ft (183m) to 9100 ft (2774 m ) and temperatures ranged from a low of -20F (-29C)  to a high of nearly 100 F (38 C).

Although I do wear gaiters for protection from precipitation entering my footwear my primary objective is to prevent small sticks, dirt, mud and stones from entering my footwear. I simply dislike having to take off my footwear periodically to shake out debris. In addition to trail hiking I also do a lot of bushwhacking so they offer me more protection to the ankle areas as well. I prefer the short gaiters even while bushwhacking as I seldom wear shorts during those excursions. My feet and ankles have stayed very comfortable despite wearing them in semi-hot weather. In addition, during bug season the gaiters do a respectable job of keeping black flies, mosquitoes and other insects from biting my legs.

Most of the time I wear my gaiters over the legs of my trail pants. I also wear them occasionally with shorts and the top edge fits comfortably around my leg without gapping. For rain protection I instead layer the pants legs to lie over the gaiters so that the rain shingles off to the ground instead of seeping into my footwear. It still provides protection from debris entering the footwear but it doesn't as adequately protect me from a bug invasion.
 
The Mistral Gaiters are very easy to put on over my footwear. I first center my foot over the instep cord and make sure that it is adjusted right for my intended footwear. I normally don't have to adjust the length of the cord for my trail shoes or leather boots. In the winter shoulder season I wear insulated boots that are more bulky so I have to adjust it a bit longer. I normally use several half-hitch knots to tie off the instep cords in the grommets but I'm sure other knots would work too. 

The next step is simply fastening the Velcro strips together on each individual gaiter over the legs of my pants. Once they are aligned correctly the top and bottom snaps can be closed for extra security. This is an important step to complete. I have occasionally not snapped them and while bushwhacking the gaiter has snagged on rough vegetation resulting in the gaiter being pulled away from my footwear. Luckily I noticed that and I didn't lose a gaiter.

The final step is hooking the metal hook underneath the laces in the toebox area to provide additional coverage to the footwear. The Schoeller Dynamic Fabric stretches nicely to fit closely around the footwear and my legs. For removal of the gaiters I just reverse the steps.

After every trip I throw my gaiters into the washing machine with my other trail clothes. I make sure I close the Velcro strips so that they don't damage my other clothing. Mud, pollen and other vegetation stains wash right out of the fabric. I take them out of the washer and just lay them on a wooden rack to dry or I just hang them by the instep cord. I usually inspect the instep cordage to see if it needs to be replaced. I have replaced this a few times already due to the heavy brutal usage the cordage takes.

I sometimes spray the Schoeller Fabric with a silicone spray to enhance its water resistant capabilities. I'm sure the original coating is long gone. The fabric has held up exceedingly well and I have no complaints. Slight abrasion is noticeable on the surface of the gaiters but I'm surprised that it isn't worse. After all, the gaiters have experienced contact with many thorn bushes, sharp rocks and other rough vegetation. The Velcro strips, reinforced grommets, metal snaps and metal hooks are all in working order.

• Lightweight
• Cool in most temperatures
  
• Dry Quickly
  
• Durable
• Two sizes available
  
• Easy to put on and take off
• Close Fit
• Protective
• Water resistant
  

• Black color can be hot in extreme temperatures
  

Reviews > Rain Gear > Gaiters > REI Mistral Gaiters > Owner Review by Gail Staisil