Briar-proof gaiters (Dan's Hunting Gear brand)

[TooOld2Hike_EP]

Yesterday I received my new Dan's Hunting Gear Briar-proof gaters.

I haven't backpacked in them yet. So this post is simply my initial thoughts.

First, I ordered the medium size. My calves measure 13.5", which is the middle of the Medium size. They fit nicely. (The length fits me too.)

Second, they weigh 10.5 oz for the pair.

Third, still on weight, they have rather heavy feeling steel buckles. (One each.) And they have metal snaps (one each) and a metal hook, to capture a shoe lace. (One each.) A gram weenie might consider drilling these out. (I might remove the buckle.)

Fourth, they are sewn by Amish. The quality looks good.

Fifth, I took a medium size safety pin and jammed it into a gater. It did not penetrate.

Sixth, there is a strap that's supposed to go around the bottom of your shoe/boot, to keep the gaiters from riding up. (Or to keep them close to your shoe/boot. I don't see how they'll ride up. Especially if you're using the shoe lace hook.) I don't know how well the strap will hold up against Arizona rocks. Instead I tried wearing the strap around my sock. (Inside my shoe.) Seems to work. (I've noticed that some of the Chinese gators have switched to a small steel cable instead of a cloth or rubber strap.)

Seventh, being all fabric (as opposed to gaters that use stiff polypropylene plastic), these can be rolled up like clothes for packing. (Albeit stiff-ish clothes.)

Eighth, there is a velcro strip to close them up, which is wide enough to give some latitude in tightness. I intend to wear them a little loose to help with heat.

Ninth, the price is right. I paid $48 with shipping.

[azbackpackr]

I've worn gaiters a lot, (note spelling) to keep burrs and stuff out of my boots and socks. But they only go up to above my ankles. That is quite comfortable. I would think the knee-high ones would be uncomfortable for long hikes. My favorite ones are called Dirty Girls, and used to be made in a garage in Tucson. Popular with thru-hikers. They are just a thin jersey fabric but it's enough to keep the gunk out of your shoes. I also have a pair of OR brand. They do have the strap that goes under the shoe. I haven't used them in a long time. https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/di ... the%20boot

[RowdyandMe]

@azbackpackr
The only problem I have with Gaiters is I seem to keep breaking the strap that goes under the shoe. So do you know where to get straps that last?

[TooOld2Hike_EP]

@azbackpackr
Thanks for the correction. Have corrected my (mis)spelling.

Will plan to report on whether they're comfortable, especially in the heat.

(Update again: FWIW, Dan's Hunting (and many of his affiliates) spell them as 'gaitors.' I know you're correct. So either Dan is as functionally illiterate as I am, or it's a "Marketing" thing with him. Interesting, my spell check has 'gaiters.' I guess I overrode it.)

[azbackpackr]

@TooOld2HikeQ
I looked it up in the dictionary. Another word for that item of clothing is "spats." That's a very old-fashioned word! Perhaps we should just switch to saying "spats," and then we wouldn't have any problem with our spelling.

[azbackpackr]

@RowdyandMe
The Dirty Girls don't use a strap. That was one reason I switched. Also because the shoes I used to wear already had the velcro on them. But they also come with sticky velcro you can add to your shoe.

[DixieFlyer]

@azbackpackr
I also wear dirty girls when hiking with shoes instead of boots. They do a great job of keeping dirt and pebbles out of my shoes, and my shoes never come untied. They also do a good job with keeping fox grass out of my socks. They'll get ripped by cactus, agave, and such, but they aren't made for heavy duty bushwhacking.

[Mountain_Rat]

These are great, light, 'keep the sand out gaiters. They do have a strap, but it's extremely durable, and Kahtoola will send replacements / longer lengths if you need. They're located in Flagstaff, so they arrive quickly. They actually have a human answering their phone, and so far have not charged me for any stirrups I've ordered. Best part - you won't know you're wearing them.

https://www.amazon.com/Kahtoola-INSTAga ... ikearizona

[LindaAnn]

Gaiters with a sewn in stirrup strap are a pain, because the strap breaks long before the gaiters wear out. I buy gaiters (which I very rarely wear, and not for snakes) with a grommet so you can replace the strap with paracord as often as needed. Or, you can buy a grommet tool kit, cut off the sewn in strap once it breaks, and do your own paracord. I’ve done that as well.

[azbackpackr]

Great ideas everyone!

[SJFL]

Outdoor Research Gaiters are quite good. I do a lot of desert hiking. The bottom strap lasts a long time. Only thing that tends to go quicker, but not ridiculously quick, is the velcro. Nothing has poked through, yet. Not sure how it would hold up to a snake: hoping to never test that out.

[TooOld2Hike_EP]

This is my first real world report on my Dan's Hunting Gear briar-proof gaiters.

Yesterday I hiked from Mormon Grove to McCarthy Canyon. And back. (With a "minimal" backpack in case of emergencies.) I wore the gaiters both ways, over long pants. (32 degree cool brand.)

1) When put on "tight-ish," they were hot.

They don't make any claims about being "breathable." And water takes a while to penetrate them. (A reseller says that they're "waterproof.")

On my return trip, I loosened them up by only engaging half of the Velcro closure strip on the front. That was much better. I didn't notice them at all.

OAT was maybe 70 degrees? (I didn't bring my digital thermometer this time.)

2) I wore the rubber bottom straps inside my shoes. Was fine, comfort-wise. The only downside is that the gaiter can't extend over the side of your shoes when you wear the hold down strap inside your shoes.

3) I don't understand why there are two very long straps on the gaiters. One, at the top, seems superfluous. I might cut it off completely. The other is the bottom strap. I suppose I might need such a long strap if I wore the bottom strap around my shoe, as designed. But I might cut it short.

4) Otherwise, they were fine. I didn't notice the weight.

5) I haven't worn them yet on my bare legs. (i.e., wearing shorts.)