Gaiters/No Gaiters

"Gary Webster" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On my last outing, in fact my first for quite a while
after a suspension

of

Quoted message said:

activities due to the birth of my son, I looked down at
the ankles of my companion and noticed a pair of recently-
acquired gaiters. Now, I've never really considered
getting a pair as I thought them to be rather

unnecessary

Quoted message said:

(viewed in much the same way as walking poles). But, I
found myself

feeling

Quoted message said:

quite envious. I'm now considering investing in a pair and
was wondering whether the posters in this group thought
they were a worthwhile

investment

Quoted message said:

or not. Yes, I know it depends on whether or not I plan to
go walking on marshy/boggy ground etc, but do you all wear
gaiters as a matter of course on walks or do you just
stick 'em on if conditions are going to require them?

ISTR televisions famous "The Munro Show" in which the
hostess, Muriel Gray, would wear her gaiters no matter what
the conditions. Sunny day, wearing shorts, skinny legs,
still wearing gaiters....

Since then I've lived by the the policy that if I'm not
going through mud or snow then remember, they look stupid.

--
Duncan Gray

homepage - www.duncolm.co.uk also www.mountaineering-
scotland.org.uk The Mountaineering Council of Scotland

In message <[email hidden]>
"Gary Webster" <[email hidden]> wrote:

<snip>

Quoted message said:

or not. Yes, I know it depends on whether or not I plan to
go walking on marshy/boggy ground etc, but do you all wear
gaiters as a matter of course on walks or do you just
stick 'em on if conditions are going to require them?

Just when it's snowy, or possibly if I know it's going to be
very muddy. There just isn't really any point in wearing
them at any other time.

--
The Acorn Elite Pages: elite.acornarcade.comelite.acornarcade.comOpen ↗ Three
Dimensional Encounters:
helvellyn.plus.com3dfrontierOpen ↗

Gary Webster said:

Now, I've never really considered getting a pair as I
thought them to be rather unnecessary

I agree. Bought and used them early on, now I rarely
ever bother.

Quoted message said:

whether the posters in this group thought they were a
worthwhile investment or not.

In certain situations yes.

Quoted message said:

Yes, I know it depends on whether or not I plan to go
walking on marshy/boggy ground etc, but do you all wear
gaiters as a matter of course on walks or do you just
stick 'em on if conditions are going to require them?

Definitely not as a matter of course. There are two main
reasons that I will use them.

1. Lots of boggy ground to cross. Anticipating stepping
into deep boggy bits.

2. Lots of muddy ground after rain. Good for keeping
bottoms of trousers clean if that is necessary.

3. Walking through tall undergrowth after rain. Good for
keeping bottoms of trousers dry without having to wear
waterproofs.

There was also an occasion where my feet got soaked inside
my boots during a day of heavy rain even though I was
wearing waterproofs. Seems that the water was running off my
overtrousers, soaking the tops of my socks and seeping into
my boots. Gaiters underneath my overtrousers would have
solved that.

Most of the time though they just aren't necessary and I can
rarely be bothered with the hassle, except on wet, muddy
winter days.

Quoted message said:

I'd also be grateful for a recommendation as to what to go
for and how much to pay.

No idea what's on offer these days. I recall that Roy Hill
(is he calling himself Bootlaces these days?) has one of
those gore-tex offerings that fits with a perfect seal to
certain makes of boots and allows you to walk through
rivers. If you like walking through rivers you might want to
consider a pair of those, if you have a suitable pair of
matching boots.

Paul
--
wilderness-wales.co.ukwilderness-wales.co.ukOpen ↗
wildwales.fsnet.co.ukwildwales.fsnet.co.ukOpen ↗
photosig.comuserphotosOpen ↗

"Gary Webster" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On my last outing, in fact my first for quite a while
after a suspension

of

Quoted message said:

activities due to the birth of my son, I looked down at
the ankles of my companion and noticed a pair of recently-
acquired gaiters. Now, I've never really considered
getting a pair as I thought them to be rather

unnecessary

Quoted message said:

(viewed in much the same way as walking poles). But, I
found myself

feeling

Quoted message said:

quite envious. I'm now considering investing in a pair and
was wondering whether the posters in this group thought
they were a worthwhile

investment

Quoted message said:

or not. Yes, I know it depends on whether or not I plan to
go walking on marshy/boggy ground etc, but do you all wear
gaiters as a matter of course on walks or do you just
stick 'em on if conditions are going to require them?

Wear gaiters if you know your route involves going through
tall plants in fields or forests, very muddy stretches, and
the like. Not worth wearing when on well made routes IMO but
if in doubt, wear them and take them off if you feel daft.

Nick

"Gary Webster" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

do you all wear gaiters as a matter of course on walks or
do you just stick 'em on if conditions are going to
require them?

Gary--in my experience in the UK, which only runs to
weather in Jan-May,

the chances of not needing gaiters are slight. In the
morning, there is dew. Often there is rain or grass wet
because of previous rain. Mud is not unheard of. Neither is
thorny brush. The only trouble I find with gaiters is that
if the top cinch is tight (my gaiters are gore-tex) so much
moisture builds up that the covered area of my trousers is
soaked--and the chances of moisture building up in the boots
(leading to blisters) also increase.

So, with loose top cinches above my calves, they keep me
dry, keep me clean, keep my cuffs from flapping, keep
gravel and [censored] out of my boots. I don't see many
negatives, except that apparently they make a fashion
statement one would prefer not to make: that one is a
walking dweeb. But, honestly, now, who the heck is on
uk.rec.walking if not walking dweebs: if you have a GPS or
violently don't have one, if you know how to use a compass,
if you have walking poles or wouldn't be caught dead with
them, if you walk with an OS map, maybe even in a map case,
maybe even hanging from your neck, if you know how to wash
Goretex, and deal with wet boots, and when to loosen and
when to tighten the shoulder straps, and how to stay warm
and stay cool--then you're a dweeb and may as well complete
your kit with gaiters.

I'd go for Goretex and find the brawniest under-sole
strap you can. Or find one that is easy to replace when
it does let go.

Paul Saunders <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Gary Webster said:

Now, I've never really considered getting a pair as I
thought them to be rather unnecessary

I agree. Bought and used them early on, now I rarely
ever bother.

I have two pairs of gaiters, both of which are in immaculate
condition. Nuff said?
--
Gordon

"Gary Webster" wrote ...

Quoted message said:

On my last outing, in fact my first for quite a while
after a suspension

of

Quoted message said:

activities due to the birth of my son, I looked down at
the ankles of my companion and noticed a pair of recently-
acquired gaiters. Now, I've never really considered
getting a pair as I thought them to be rather

unnecessary

Quoted message said:

(viewed in much the same way as walking poles). But, I
found myself

feeling

Quoted message said:

quite envious. I'm now considering investing in a pair and
was wondering whether the posters in this group thought
they were a worthwhile

investment

Quoted message said:

or not. Yes, I know it depends on whether or not I plan to
go walking on marshy/boggy ground etc, but do you all wear
gaiters as a matter of course on walks or do you just
stick 'em on if conditions are going to require them?

I'd also be grateful for a recommendation as to what to go
for and how

much

Quoted message said:

to pay.

I'm off to Wales this weekend to take in Pen Yr Henge
Du, Carnedd

Llewellyn,

Quoted message said:

Daffydd and Pen Yr Ole Wen so I'm thinking of nipping into
my local

Outdoor

Quoted message said:

shop to get some.

I wear them on two types of walk, 1/ when I know the Surrey
tracks are muddy and will have been churned up further by
the weekend horse riders 2/ if the tracks are little used
and I'm liable to meet brambles, stinging nettles etc . Does
save getting the bottoms of the trousers and socks covered
in mud and the ankles lacerated by thorns.

Try Millets, they had a good selection when I looked. Make
sure they fit well and tighten up but don't cut into your
legs, also that the straps that go under your feet don't
stick out at the side between your legs to trip you up.
--
Regards Bob in Runnymede, 17miles west of London, UK

[email hidden] said...

Quoted message said:

On my last outing, in fact my first for quite a
while after a suspension of activities due to the
birth of my son,

Congratulations! When was that? :-)
--
Fran If you need my email address please ask.

Fran <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] said...

Quoted message said:

On my last outing, in fact my first for quite a while
after a suspension of activities due to the birth of
my son,

Congratulations! When was that? :-)

Who says wimmin aren't focussed? :-)
--
Gordon

Gary Webster said:

quite envious. I'm now considering investing in a pair and
was wondering whether the posters in this group thought
they were a worthwhile investment or not.

"It depends".

As well as the terrain, it depends what you're wearing. I
usually wear Tracksters which are far less prone to picking
up excess [censored] than the more popular "walking trousers"
people seem to prefer. And since their comfort isn't
adversely affected by being wet or muddy I just really don't
see much point most of the time, and don't bother.

Snow is very different, it's well worth keeping it out of
your boots, so in snow I'll usually wear gaiters. Serious
bog is another contender, and also the case with both that
they don't do your boots much good so a pair of full
overgaiters like Yetis on leather boots are IMHO a Good
Thing in serious continual bog or snow. They protect your
boots /and/ keep your feet dry. If you move fast Yetis will
let you ford streams without wet feet too, a useful bonus
in winter.

Quoted message said:

I'd also be grateful for a recommendation as to what to go
for and how much to pay.

Either cheap 'n cheerful or serious and expensive, though I
don't see that much point in the middle ground for walking.
The only reason I replaced a cheap pair of canvas ones for
general use was they wouldn't fit over my telemark boots
properly. For my winter leather boots I use Goretex Yeti
gaiters. My ski touring gaiters are in the middle ground,
but that's with plastic boots which there's little need to
protect from the snow.

But overall, at this time of year, legwear that render them
pointless like Tracksters are preferable for me.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111
ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382
640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net
[email hidden] dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

The message <[email hidden]>
from "Gary Webster" <[email hidden]> contains these words:

Quoted message said:

On my last outing, in fact my first for quite a while
after a suspension of activities due to the birth of my
son, I looked down at the ankles of my companion and
noticed a pair of recently-acquired gaiters. Now, I've
never really considered getting a pair as I thought them
to be rather unnecessary (viewed in much the same way as
walking poles). But, I found myself feeling quite envious.
I'm now considering investing in a pair and was wondering
whether the posters in this group thought they were a
worthwhile investment or not. Yes, I know it depends on
whether or not I plan to go walking on marshy/boggy ground
etc, but do you all wear gaiters as a matter of course on
walks or do you just stick 'em on if conditions are going
to require them?

Quoted message said:

I'd also be grateful for a recommendation as to what to go
for and how much to pay.

I wear them practically all the time. Many posters have
said they only wear them when the ground is wet or boggy,
or it's raining, going to rain, snow etc. Well that takes
care of Scotland then. There is also the fact that in over
thirty years of hill walking I have only ever had two
ticks lovingly attach themselves to me. Long trousers and
gaiters keep the wee buggers off. My experience is that if
you do not put them on before you set out then you never
will and you end up muddy to the knees with the gaiters in
your rucksack! £20 should buy you a good pair that will
last for years.

--
Len Trim [email hidden]

I always use them, had a pair of Karrimor gaiters for over
20 years, now I have a pair made of Gortex

Rik "Gary Webster" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On my last outing, in fact my first for quite a while
after a suspension

of

Quoted message said:

activities due to the birth of my son, I looked down at
the ankles of my companion and noticed a pair of recently-
acquired gaiters. Now, I've never really considered
getting a pair as I thought them to be rather

unnecessary

Quoted message said:

(viewed in much the same way as walking poles). But, I
found myself

feeling

Quoted message said:

quite envious. I'm now considering investing in a pair and
was wondering whether the posters in this group thought
they were a worthwhile

investment

Quoted message said:

or not. Yes, I know it depends on whether or not I plan to
go walking on marshy/boggy ground etc, but do you all wear
gaiters as a matter of course on walks or do you just
stick 'em on if conditions are going to require them?

I'd also be grateful for a recommendation as to what to go
for and how

much

Quoted message said:

to pay.

I'm off to Wales this weekend to take in Pen Yr Henge
Du, Carnedd

Llewellyn,

Quoted message said:

Daffydd and Pen Yr Ole Wen so I'm thinking of nipping into
my local

Outdoor

Quoted message said:

shop to get some.

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
--
Gary Webster SP106918

Peter Clinch <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Paul Saunders said:

John Laird wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Do what I do - somehow lose the laces entirely...

Quoted message said:

Then how would I stop them riding up?

Try it and see if they do. I never bothered with underfoot
strapping for quite a lot of trips and the gaiters seemed
to stay relatively well put. They won't keep quite so much
clag out as tightly strapped down but they'll still keep
your trousers clean and dry.

Pete.

The few times I wear them I don't bother with the under-
straps, far too messy. I find it impossible to wear them
over Paramo trousers because my legs get too warm, so
they are rarely worn when they are most needed, in cold,
wet weather.
--
Gordon

In message <[email hidden]>, Gary Webster
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

gaiters

I wear mine when going to work, in snow (or post- snow
slush), to keep my suit trousers pristine ;-)
--
Andy Mabbett "The Internet is a reflection of our
society[ ...]. If we do not like what we see in that
mirror the problem is not to fix the mirror, we have to
fix society." Vint Cerf

Simon Challands said:

Just when it's snowy, or possibly if I know it's going to
be very muddy. There just isn't really any point in wearing
them at any other time.

Oh yes there is!

If you are walking through bracken, it is well worth wearing
gaiters (I prefer ankle gaiters rather than the full half-
leg things) as it stops nasty itchy bits of vegetation
getting down the top of your boot.

Judith

A summer use for gaiters is when in heather country,,,,
Stops your laces being constantly undone.

Always done my orienteering mapping in gaiters for that
reason. Ups productivity no end. Mind gaiters are really
nast y fiddly things.

Richard Webb

Paul Saunders said:

Gary Webster said:

I know it depends on whether or not I plan to go walking
on marshy/boggy ground etc, but do you all wear gaiters
as a matter of course on walks or do you just stick 'em
on if conditions are going to require them?

Definitely not as a matter of course. There are two main
reasons that I will use them.

1. Lots of boggy ground to cross. Anticipating stepping
into deep boggy bits.

2. Lots of muddy ground after rain. Good for keeping
bottoms of trousers clean if that is necessary.

3. Walking through tall undergrowth after rain. Good for
keeping bottoms of trousers dry without having to wear
waterproofs.

That would appear to be three main reasons ;-)

I would add:

4. Walking in snow. Keeps trousers and socks dry and avoids
snow getting inside boots.

My feet and ankles are often overly hot, without adding
another layer, so I too use gaiters only when there seems a
real need. They seem to be popular on bone dry warmish days
with those walkers who cannot venture out without at least
four upper layers including a thick fleece and Goretex
jacket, overtrousers, hat and gloves, however. I'm not sure
what the least I have been wearing while passing such folks,
but it is probably of the order of a pair of Millets finest
polycotton cargo trousers and a coolmax t-shirt. And sweat
is usually pouring off me...

--
Most Wanted? Why not keep them when they're photographed?

Mail john rather than nospam...

"john goldfine" <[email hidden]

Quoted message said:

But, honestly, now, who the heck is on uk.rec.walking if
not walking dweebs: if you have a GPS or violently don't
have one, if you know how to use a compass, if you have
walking poles or wouldn't be caught dead with them, if you
walk with an OS map, maybe even in a map case, maybe even
hanging from your neck, if you know how to wash Goretex,
and deal with wet boots, and when to loosen and when to
tighten the shoulder straps, and how to stay warm and stay
cool--then you're a dweeb and may as well complete your
kit with gaiters.

OK, I shall call into the 'Gaiters for Dweebs' shop ASAP.

"Fran" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] said...

Quoted message said:

On my last outing, in fact my first for quite a while
after a suspension

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

activities due to the birth of my son,

Congratulations! When was that? :-)
--

My son Alex was born in November 2003 - he's 7 months old
now (and he's adorable). I'm just wondering when I can
introduce him to Crib Goch?

Gary W