South Coast Track

[rustyjus]

Hi,
Im going to walk the south coast track at the end of summer.
Im trying to simplify my pack and was planning on just wearing trail runners..
I know its muddy down there... do I need really need to wear gaiters?
I have never worn them and am not sure if they would do anything for my situation.
Thanks!

[Mark F]

I walked the sct a couple of summers ago without full height gaiters. In Tassie for tracked walks I tend to use Dirty Girl gaiters which are very lightweight (30 grams) and serve to keep crap (mud, grit, sand etc) out of the tops of my shoes. There are various brands but googling dirty girl will show you what they are. You need to glue a bit of velcro to the heel of the shoe to keep them from riding up. They have a matching piece of velcro at the back and a hook for the laces up front.

[rustyjus]

Cool, I'll look into those... seems like a good compromise.
Thanks

[robl]

The last few years I have been using "OR short gaiters" that I have attempted to waterproof with silastic/solvent.
My improvements are wearing off but I am happy with my choice. They are my gaiters for snow shoeing, and other stuff where the mud is maybe over shoe height.
I think they cost me around A$30. These weigh about 150gm today.
IMO the only reason for long gaiters is to attempt to cross a creek fairly quickly and keep your feet dry. (and it can be done) (also helps with spinifex)
If you search "Outdoor-Sports-Waterproof-Climbing-Hiking-Cycling-Shoes-Leg-Gaiter-Shoes-Cover'" cheaper solutions perhaps are apparent.

[Son of a Beach]

There are various brands but googling dirty girl will show you what they are

Are you seriously suggesting to google "dirty girl"? Because gaiters is not what I'd expect to see there.