Bushwalk Australia

I'm looking at replacing my heavy Scarpa boots with lightweight trail runners (currently weighing up La Sportiva Jackal vs Ultra Raptor) - one thing I haven't worked out is gaiters. I'm using Wilderness Equipment Canvas Bush Gaiter and I get the impression they're not going to sit as well. What's your recommend here?

What about some train running boots? I recently went through this a bit, from leather Scarpas. I've now got some Topo Athletic Trailventures as what I think are a good compromise between out and out trail runners and boots. They're very light compared to the Scarpas, they feel great, not too soft on rocky ground, and work fine with gaiters. A fair few of the trail running companies do similar boots

This has nothing to do with gaiters (which I don't wear as I hate them) so feel free to ignore completely, but, depending on your activities, expect to blow through trail running shoes much more quickly than boots. Your mileage may vary, but if you are off-track a lot, I find trail runners get destroyed really quickly. Also, I blow through a pair of trail runners almost every six months running 70ish km a week ON trails. The soles are always fine but the uppers just fall apart.

I have leather approach shoes for off-track and they seem to hold up better than trail runners. Would not be that comfortable to run in though. I actually don't understand why anyone wears boots anymore but that opinion is likely to offend the old guard.

Check out la sportiva Akasha too if you haven't already.

I still wear boots sometimes if inov8 rocklite 286 count ahaha. Lighter than any of my trail runners.

I've worn Ultra Raptors with canvas S2S Quagmire gaiters for years, works great for me. Not sure how different your gaiters are though.

La Spo UR accomodate for gaiters really well. See this review:

https://sectionhiker.com/la-sportiva-ul ... rm-review/

It's a killer of a trail runner. I would climb the Everest (crampons attached for sure) with them with zero issues.

gbagua wrote:It's a killer of a trail runner. I would climb the Everest (crampons attached for sure) with them with zero issues.

...and zero feet.

La sportiva Akyra (non GTX version) gets my vote.

Nice big heel drop, protective upper that copes with offtrack and sole is reasonably durable. Works well with gaiters

Overseas purchase only unfortunately. https://www.sportiva.com/akyra.html
Hint Aussie distributors!

Look up "Dirty Girl" gaiters.
I make our own of course: heavy Lycra.
Worn over very light trail runners or joggers.
I last wore walking boots about 30 years ago. Dinosaurs.

Cheers
Roger

Akyras are great. My favourite trail runners for off-trail stuff...just didn't think they'd accomodate gaiters since I use the the UR for that purpose.

I tried a pair of Akyras but the fit was odd? Longer and thinner than the equivalent sized URs. Never really felt comfortable.

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rcaffin wrote:Look up "Dirty Girl" gaiters.
I make our own of course: heavy Lycra.

Cheers
Roger

Roger, I've also made a couple of pairs in the Dirty Girl style. That style is brilliant.
I think the lycra I used however, wasn't so great-made from an old dress from the 80's can you point me to the right weight Lycra please from an Oz seller if you know of one?
Ta