Gaiters - What are the most bomb proof?

[Gusto]

Both the W.E. and One Planet ones look really good. I'm sure that either would perfect for a serious walker. As for the Mooraka Snake Proof ones. They are outrageously expensive. I'd expect/hope they would be more than perfect for that price.

I'm going to order a set of the OP ones as I've decided that my current ones have had it. My main reason for going for the One Planet ones is that I expect that I can get them faster. I want them by Friday. I've got a big walk coming up (12 days).

I'd like it if in the sizing the websites mentioned circumference of calf/lower leg as well as boot size. It's tricky ordering Gaiters that I haven't tried on before. I have big calves (cows even) and some gaiters just don't fit around my leg.

I'll post my thoughts of the One Planets Gaiters in a month or so

[ILUVSWTAS]

Both the W.E. and One Planet ones look really good. I'm sure that either would perfect for a serious walker. As for the Mooraka Snake Proof ones. They are outrageously expensive. I'd expect/hope they would be more than perfect for that price.

I'm going to order a set of the OP ones as I've decided that my current ones have had it. My main reason for going for the One Planet ones is that I expect that I can get them faster. I want them by Friday. I've got a big walk coming up (12 days).

I'd like it if in the sizing the websites mentioned circumference of calf/lower leg as well as boot size. It's tricky ordering Gaiters that I haven't tried on before. I have big calves (cows even) and some gaiters just don't fit around my leg.

I'll post my thoughts of the One Planets Gaiters in a month or so

My current OP gaiters have lasted 4 or 5 times i usually get out of a pair of sts. Very happy with mine.
Im boot size 44.5, and take a medium gaiter. Hope that helps

[roysta]

The OR Expedition Crocodiles travel pretty well if you want to add another one to the mix.
I used Crocs in southern Tassie, did well.

[baldhead]

Has anyone tried the Aspiring canvas gaiters from NZ
Supposedly heavy duty canvas

They are rear opening

[Azza]

Has anyone tried the Aspiring canvas gaiters from NZ
Supposedly heavy duty canvas

They are rear opening

I've looked at them a few times when over in NZ. Can't say I was impressed enough to want to buy a pair. But I don't really remember.

The problem is not so much the fabric.. The stitching disintegrates..
I can repair a tear in the gaiter no worries, but when the stitching unravels and the hooks fall off a couple of weeks after you buy them you tend to get a little annoyed.

All these gaiters perform fine on track in Tassie for the occasional walk.
Its not until your going off track on a regular basis and giving them a decent work out in the scrub that you realise if a particular model is up to the job.
Something which doesn't seem to get tested by the manufacturers - then they'd realise!!
Whats the story with hyped up new Macpac gaiters? I went in to have a look a few weeks back and couldn't see anything resembling an extra tough gaiter.

Anyway I think I'll be opting for the OnePlanet RFG's in the not too distant future.

[Azza]

Here is my Sea to Summit gaiter graveyard... They didn't much like this being posted on their facebook page.
Most of the stitching blown down the front and has been restitched. All the hooks are missing or about to go missing.

I think I've thrown a few other pairs away. Why do I keep buying then?? hmm.. I guess I like the basic design.

[Gusto]

What about Cactus Gear Gaiters??

http://www.cactusclimbing.co.nz/virtuemart-mainmenu-162?page=shop.browse&category_id=76&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=162

Cactus has a reputation for making durable stuff

[Azza]

What about Cactus Gear Gaiters??

http://www.cactusclimbing.co.nz/virtuemart-mainmenu-162?page=shop.browse&category_id=76&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=162

Cactus has a reputation for making durable stuff

I have a pair... the stitching fell apart, I sewed them back up and persisted for a while, but now they live out the back in my gaiter graveyard with the sea to summits..

[corvus]

Don't put a lot of faith in the WE Canvas gaiters for Tasmanian use, the canvas where it has little folds above the stitching onto the "cordura" developed wear holes on mine and the cuff over the boot is at least 15mm too long resulting in the bottom edge where the shock cord pulls them close showing early sign of abrasion .
As a 20 year long time user of WE gear it looks like I will be buying OP RFG Gaiters next time.
corvus

[Strider]

Don't put a lot of faith in the WE Canvas gaiters for Tasmanian use, the canvas where it has little folds above the stitching onto the "cordura" developed wear holes on mine and the cuff over the boot is at least 15mm too long resulting in the bottom edge where the shock cord pulls them close showing early sign of abrasion .

Sounds like you needed a smaller size. I wear WE Small's with size 42 boots.

[corvus]

Don't put a lot of faith in the WE Canvas gaiters for Tasmanian use, the canvas where it has little folds above the stitching onto the "cordura" developed wear holes on mine and the cuff over the boot is at least 15mm too long resulting in the bottom edge where the shock cord pulls them close showing early sign of abrasion .

Sounds like you needed a smaller size. I wear WE Small's with size 42 boots.

No sorry I wear 45 boots used Large and did ask Ian at WE if if I needed smaller size and he advised that the ones he had "sent me to test" were the correct size .
With respect where do you wear you gaiters
corvus

[Strider]

Might be the profile of the boots you are wearing then? I tried mediums at first and they sat as you described, hence I went the smalls to get the bottom edge up off the ground. Or perhaps you're just more hardcore than me

Sent from my MB526 using Tapatalk

[corvus]

G'day Strider ,
Not very hard core but do a lot of "off made track" walking
Gaiter were used with my 12year old Garmont full leather , 3 year old AKU full Leather Boots and my el cheapo ones and on all of them they sit too low and will /are subject to early abrasion
As previously posted I spoke to Ian from WE and he said that the Large were the correct ones for my boot size .
corvus

[blacksheep]

If anyone is keen on our torre gaiters, pm me..half price for the first 5 that want some.

[Strider]

If anyone is keen on our torre gaiters, pm me..half price for the first 5 that want some.

I did want some. But, they took so long to be released (and are still not available in Aus!) that I purchased elsewhere. Shame cause they actually look good

[Gusto]

Possibly a rod or stiff wire inserted in the gaiter to ensure it continues to stay up without the gaiter being done up tight.

I don't know if this would be put along the shin bone at the front or on the side. Either way, not the back due to the curve of calf muscles.

[pazzar]

Possibly a rod or stiff wire inserted in the gaiter to ensure it continues to stay up without the gaiter being done up tight.

I don't know if this would be put along the shin bone at the front or on the side. Either way, not the back due to the curve of calf muscles.

Sounds like you just need a heavier canvas, I never have issues with canvas not holding shape. Or a Kevlar reinforcement maybe, but then you lose any breath ability. Also having your gaiters loose decreases water resistance, but I understand that you don't want them too tight

[Strider]

Possibly a rod or stiff wire inserted in the gaiter to ensure it continues to stay up without the gaiter being done up tight.

I don't know if this would be put along the shin bone at the front or on the side. Either way, not the back due to the curve of calf muscles.

WE gaiters do this on the shin.

Sent from my MB526 using Tapatalk

[Ent]

Hi

Gave my OP gaiters a good work out for eight days in WA. Result? Wrapped. Best gaiter by far I have ever used

Cheers

[Ent]

Hi

Well Ent big thumbs down for WE gaiters. The repaired replacements have failed after two overnight walks. Yeap, the stitching again. This time on the Velcro. Either Wilderness Equipment is employing the worst stitchers in the world or the worse thread. I know people that have in the past got great service from the brand but the quality of one pair of mine is terrible in the stitching. Their stable mates that use the old underlace type fitting are going well. So scrub S2S and WE as poor choice. One Planet ones rock. Now where to get them from as they are rare as hens teeth?

Cheers

[Strider]

One Planet ones rock. Now where to get them from as they are rare as hens teeth?

Passion8 in Hobart stock them.

To be honest they don't look that well made to me? Same exposed stitching in all the same places. Certainly hard to justify $99 a pair.

[Ent]

One Planet ones rock. Now where to get them from as they are rare as hens teeth?

Passion8 in Hobart stock them.

To be honest they don't look that well made to me? Same exposed stitching in all the same places. Certainly hard to justify $99 a pair.

The trick is the critical stitching is not exposed. As for the cost, ouch, but given that they have so far out lasted two S2S and one pair of WE gaiters I will forgive them the cost. One Planet appear to have mastered the simple design so do not look as flashy as say the S2S ones but they last. Took me a while to accept the high position of the boot where the WE are very low on the boot. But they seal well and work in with the Scarpa SLs that I wear.

I had hoped for them to be in Launceston but will check out Passion8 as that is where my One Planet Styx 2 came from.

Cheers

[ILUVSWTAS]

One Planet ones rock. Now where to get them from as they are rare as hens teeth?

Passion8 in Hobart stock them.

To be honest they don't look that well made to me? Same exposed stitching in all the same places. Certainly hard to justify $99 a pair.

Well that's far from true!! I've had a pair for nearly 2 years now. I go through about 3-4 pairs of STS gaiters in this time. Sooooo STS gaiters at what? $50 each?? 3-4 pairs a year, X2.... compared to forking out $89 (yes you CAN get a discount) once.... it's a no brainer to me.

[ollster]

Well that's far from true!! I've had a pair for nearly 2 years now. I go through about 3-4 pairs of STS gaiters in this time. Sooooo STS gaiters at what? $50 each?? 3-4 pairs a year, X2.... compared to forking out $89 (yes you CAN get a discount) once.... it's a no brainer to me.

S2S seem to have picked up their game a bit. My last "full time" pair have lasted about 24 months (although I'm pretty sure I cycled a few of my "fleet" of 3 pairs in that time). Obviously some of the stitching had started to come undone, but no where near the amount of the last 2/3 pairs I had, which pretty much instantaneously fell apart around the stitching. The main faults in the last ones were a few 1cm holes developing here and there, and wearing through the foot strap on one side, which were both fair wear and tear.

As much as S2S quagmires have faults, I kinda think they're just like Democracy - the worst option, except for all the other ones.

I can't even find the OP gaiters on their website at the moment... (EDIT: nope, they're under "industrial" lol. Guess that means they're tough?) Might have to try some out now I've added another body to my S2S mass grave.

[sthughes]

After wearing my One Planet RFGs for over a year somebody asked me up at Pelion (after a nice clean snow walk) "are they brand new?"! They sure are holding up incredibly well!

With the RFGs I don't bother with a strap underneath, they work really well without it for me. So when the ones they came with wore out I didn't bother replacing.

[dplanet]

Here is mine.

[Gusto]

I am currently using One Planet Gaiters. They are great!!. They work, stay up right and are durable

I have had a thought on how to improove them though. The hook for the gaiter is on the edge that forms the underneath layer on the velcro closure. I feel that the hook should be on the outer layer. My reason for this is that the press stud is difficult to click together and ultimately can be knocked undone. This would not occur if the hook was on the outer layer of the fabric. The press stud also wouldn't be needed.

The closure system at the top of the One Planet Gaiters is nothing to rave about. It is durable when you consider that the toggle is easily replaced.

Another alternative Gaiter that would seem to be a worthy competitor to the OP gaiters are these from NZ http://twinneedle.bigcartel.com/product/gaiter-test Anyone know much about Twin Needle gear?

[Mountain Rocket]

This thread needs some life. Currently tossing up between RFGs from One Planet, Instigaiters from Cactus or those TwinNeedle ones linked above.
I was originally going to have Evan from Terra Rosa Gear make me some but it seems I have left it too late. Doh.

[north-north-west]

Bombproof & Gaiters. Two words that don't belong in the same sentence.
Especially in Tasmania.

[Strider]

Any word on the Macpac Torre gaiters? Last time I checked they still weren't available in Australia, despite being designed specifically for Tassie.