In need of some decent gaiters

[GPSGuided]

They appear to be identical in design to Outdoor Research Crocodiles. Right down to the little Velcro tab near the toe.

Yes. I too noted the apparently decent quality of their products. Wondered if they really are that good?

[Strider]

They appear to be identical in design to Outdoor Research Crocodiles. Right down to the little Velcro tab near the toe.

Yes. I too noted the apparently decent quality of their products. Wondered if they really are that good?

OR Crocs are certainly a good design and fit well. I do find them a little tight to close though. I haven't given mine a hard time as most of their duty is spent keeping my legs dry/clean rather than protecting from scrub.

[biggbird]

Not sure what people are talking about when it comes to the STS gaiters.... I've had mine for ages, and yes, after 5 or 6 years the stitching on the inside (where your feet touch at times) the stitching is coming undone... they've copped a battering though! Bought a new pair for a friend a little while ago, and with some new little changes these look like they will last even longer! And at $67 for the waterproof canvas ones, not a bad buy.... nice neat gaiter too, compared to some flimsy ones out there!

Evidently you're much nicer to your gaiters than some on here then I've had mine about a year now, and the stitching is starting to fall apart on both inside ankles. Thankfully, the stitching of the front velcro panel is still going strong, so no real need to replace them yet. Still, I'd like to give the OP RFGs a go...

[forest]

Just a quick update on the OP gaiters I purchased.
Last weekend I wore them in a 12hr rogaine in the Watagan's (NSW). Notourious event and area for thick lawyer vine, thorn trees and lantana.
To put it in prospective I tore a pair of brand new riggers gloves about 3 hours in and my shoes, gaiters and legs were thrashed through the same bush with vigour all the event.

All in all after a hose and scrub to clean the crap off them. The OP gaiters fared pretty well, except for a few gouges around mid shin height from trying (unsuccessfully) to break finger think laywer vine with leg power and stupidity. Fit wise I had no issue at all with wearing them over my trail runners and the lace hook stayed attached. The push buckle at the bottom came undone a few times but easily clipped back down even covered in muck to an extent. The velro holds them shut anyway for the main part.

I'm very happy with them. My mate on the other hand wore some 6 month old STS eVent Quagmires, Ripped a thumb sized hole in one leg just down from the top. But he caught them pretty hard and when they tore it toppled him over.

[GPSGuided]

I'm very happy with them. My mate on the other hand wore some 6 month old STS eVent Quagmires, Ripped a thumb sized hole in one leg just down from the top. But he caught them pretty hard and when they tore it toppled him over.

At $100 a pair, I don't think I'll be able to afford to play rogaine any time soon.

[forest]

At $100 a pair, I don't think I'll be able to afford to play rogaine any time soon.

Ah now that's not being a very good sport, I wouldn't say it's normal for a rogaine to break stuff. More our poor route choice........
Team inpenertrable we shall call ourselves, if the map sad inpenetrable, we went (or tried) to go through it as a shortcut. Never did learn from our mistakes.......

[GPSGuided]

Team inpenertrable we shall call ourselves, if the map sad inpenetrable, we went (or tried) to go through it as a shortcut. Never did learn from our mistakes.......

That's the spirit! Still, I am surprised that people can tear a hole in those gaiters. I don't think my wife will ever be able to do anything similar in her STS eVent Quagmire.

[biggbird]

Thought I'd bring up this thread, as I recently purchased some OP RFG gaiters, and was pretty excited to try them out.

Unfortunately, I've actually been quite disappointed with them so far! The fabric seems good, nice and tough, but I don't have much to say for the design of the closure at the top. All it has is a drawstring thing with a small clip/release bit. This seems fine at first glance, and when walking on the flat it is. However, when I've started to head uphill/through scrub, I find the top closure of the gaiters tends to loosen, allowing the gaiters to open up and sticks/leaves/water etc to get down inside.

So, naturally, I figured I would just tighten them to stop this from happening... But when I did this, it would seem I must have done something wrong, as the front velcro began to be pulled apart by the tight top drawstring, leaving the front of my shins exposed. Not really ideal! When I've looked, there is a tiny loop at the top of the front velcro which I thought that perhaps I am supposed to thread the end of the drawstring through, but either I was wrong, or my fingers just aren't nimble enough, as I am certainly struggling to get it through.

Anyway, not sure if this is just user error and I'm doing something wrong, or whether it's just poor design, but I'm pretty unhappy with them at this point. Unless anyone can give me some bright ideas, I reckon it's back to S2S for some more quagmires. They might wear out quick, but at least I can work out how to use them!

Also interesting to note that I bought my partner a pair of RFGs at the same time, and that they have a different closure system at the top.She hasn't really been having any of the same problems as I have. Presumably this means that she has either a newer or older model than I do.

Interested to hear others' experience or advice

[simonm]

I have just ordered a custom made pair from Evan at Terra Rosa Gear http://www.terrarosagear.com/. Really looking forward to trying them out.

[biggbird]

Out of curiosity, how much?

[simonm]

Out of curiosity, how much?

Good question - I didn't ask .

[stepbystep]

Thought I'd bring up this thread, as I recently purchased some OP RFG gaiters, and was pretty excited to try them out.

Unfortunately, I've actually been quite disappointed with them so far! The fabric seems good, nice and tough, but I don't have much to say for the design of the closure at the top. All it has is a drawstring thing with a small clip/release bit. This seems fine at first glance, and when walking on the flat it is. However, when I've started to head uphill/through scrub, I find the top closure of the gaiters tends to loosen, allowing the gaiters to open up and sticks/leaves/water etc to get down inside.

So, naturally, I figured I would just tighten them to stop this from happening... But when I did this, it would seem I must have done something wrong, as the front velcro began to be pulled apart by the tight top drawstring, leaving the front of my shins exposed. Not really ideal! When I've looked, there is a tiny loop at the top of the front velcro which I thought that perhaps I am supposed to thread the end of the drawstring through, but either I was wrong, or my fingers just aren't nimble enough, as I am certainly struggling to get it through.

Anyway, not sure if this is just user error and I'm doing something wrong, or whether it's just poor design, but I'm pretty unhappy with them at this point. Unless anyone can give me some bright ideas, I reckon it's back to S2S for some more quagmires. They might wear out quick, but at least I can work out how to use them!

Also interesting to note that I bought my partner a pair of RFGs at the same time, and that they have a different closure system at the top.She hasn't really been having any of the same problems as I have. Presumably this means that she has either a newer or older model than I do.

Interested to hear others' experience or advice

Same, experience with the RFG. People have talked them up and perhaps they are a robust material but the design is poor. The top closure is as you describe, in addition I would say because it is a thin elastic cord rather than a wide velcro strap if tightened sufficiently it cuts into the leg, add some grit and grime and this place can cause bad rubbing when wearing shorts. The press stud at the bottom also comes undone regularly.

Over-rated, over priced and under designed - 4/10...

[biggbird]

Yes, definitely agree with the cord cutting into the leg. Not super comfortable at the best of times, but then even worse when the front velcro starts flapping open.

Ah well, back to S2S again I guess!

[corvus]

WE make a really good updated design Canvas Gaiter, we have field tested a couple of pairs and cannot fault them ,well made to the WE usual excellent standards and value for money IMHO.
Check this out http://www.wildequipment.com.au/gaiters ... ?Code=WEBG
corvus

[Strider]

WE make a really good updated design Canvas Gaiter, we have field tested a couple of pairs and cannot fault them ,well made to the WE usual excellent standards and value for money IMHO.
Check this out http://www.wildequipment.com.au/gaiters ... ?Code=WEBG
corvus

They only appear to have changed the colour compared to mine that I purchased a couple of years ago now.

[corvus]

Strider they have been upgraded but will keep my report till I check out my sample Gaiters again ( health has curtailed my wanderings recently) but looking good for a test run again soon.
corvus

[Joomy]

Some gaiters to consider based upon requirements. I've used them all.

Tough gaiter: WE Bush Gaiter or STS Quagmire Canvas (the WE is burlier)
Alpine gaiter: Rab Neostretch
Mid gaiter: Rab Latok Mid
Short (ankle) gaiter: Integral Designs Shortie

[davidmorr]

A little off the original topic, but you mention you'll use these with trail runners too. How do you stop the heel part of your gaiter from riding high above the top edge of your low cut shoe? I wear gaiters with my usual shoes - low cut Oboze, and i often have to stop and adjust the back of them. I use a front velcro closing goretex pair of Kathmandus with the wire under the heel, and a lighter Outdoor Research pair depending on conditions. I have to wear socks that go up higher, as i've rubbed a few times at the back of the heel when I've worn short merino sport socks. Just interested, as I have a lightweight pair of LaSportiva Wildcats coming for summer, and I think the heel on these trail runners is even lower.

I have the same problem of the gaiters riding up over the back of shoes - cannot stand boots. I found that all of the Sea to Summit gaiters seem designed for people wearing boots. They are just not wide enough around the base to go over the opening in the shoe.

The only ones I found that were any good were the Wilderness Equipment canvas gaiters. These are very wide at the bottom, and cover the whole lace area. The sides for me go down almost to the top of the heel, meaning there is little chance of anything getting under them.

That said, they have not been very robust. The canvas crinkles a bit, and where they rub against the other foot, holes have been worn in the canvas.

But I must have a look at some of the others mentioned here.

[Joomy]

The only ones I found that were any good were the Wilderness Equipment canvas gaiters. These are very wide at the bottom, and cover the whole lace area. The sides for me go down almost to the top of the heel, meaning there is little chance of anything getting under them.

That said, they have not been very robust. The canvas crinkles a bit, and where they rub against the other foot, holes have been worn in the canvas.

When did you buy yours? The latest model has ballistic nylon around the lower section.

[davidmorr]

It was several years ago. I must have a look at the latest models.

Actually, there were a few "features" of them that were less than ideal. One was that they used shock cord to go under the boot. Lasted two trips. Secondly, for the shoes I was wearing (Keen), it was not far enough forward so it tended to slide back onto the heel area. Probably why the shock cord did not last very long.....

[Strider]

That's an issue with the shoes, not the gaiters.

It took me almost a year to wear out my first under boot shock cord, and even then it was just hanging on. I put a short piece of hose over it now for a bit more longevity.

[corvus]

The new WE Gaiters are cut shorter up the boot now (follow the OP pattern I suspect)are a nice weight canvass and still have very inexpensive easy field replaceable shock cord,yes if you get creases wear holes will eventuate (just like most fabrics) when they rub but nothing you can't fix with a dab or two of silicone.
corvus