UKC

I know they are seriously uncool but I'm considering getting some gaiters for winter mountaineering. I want them to 1) stop snow getting into my boots. I have built in gaitoers with both my hard shells and soft shells but they are pretty crap in my opinion. 2) Keeping my feet warmer and drier.

Ideal they will be tight fitting, stretchy maybe, give good lace coverage and ideally not too long so my built in gaiters can go under them.

Or should I just get some accessory cord to stop my built-in gaiters riding up?

In reply to Rory Shaw:

Presumably you've looked at Yeti Gaiters. I've got a pair superglued onto my old boots. Very watertight and a little extra insulation. 

In reply to Rory Shaw:

Rab Latok. 

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/climbing/gaiters/rab-latok-alpine

In reply to Rory Shaw:

I've been quite impressed by the alpkit ones. 

In reply to Rory Shaw:

After leaving my Rab ones in the van on a 2-day trip last winter, I had to buy a pair of these from the little shop in Wasdale Head.. 
https://www.trekmates.co.uk/products/cairngorm-gtx-gaiter
Not usually a Trekmates fan... but they did the job!

In reply to Rory Shaw:

https://seatosummit.eu/products/quagmire-event-gaiter

Absolutely bombproof..had mine 5 years of weekly wear on grouse mores and woodand through out the winter 

In reply to PaulJepson:

I probably haven't tried on the newest versions but earlier Rab gaiters simply wouldn't go around my calf muscles. I have big calves, but I can't be that mutant, so it is worth adding to the OP that like everything else, it is best to try gaiters on whenever possible.

I've some OR ones currently, no zips but lots of velcro. So far they have worked well in winter conditions. I got them from Outside in Hathersage - simply because I could try some different pairs on. Hopefully you'll have a similar good shop somewhere near you.

In reply to Rory Shaw:

Imo, I would get longer gaiters that go over your trouser bottoms, and revel in the uncoolness.  They work - you're feet will be dry and happy.  Form over function in climbing wear puzzles the hell out of me.  

I've had the trekmates cairngorms ones for some years now and they do a great job for £30, but I'm sure there are better ones out there.

In reply to grectangle:

I get the over the top thing, but not if it's raining or snowing and my salopettes are quite chunky around the ankle so won't fit easily or comfortably under a gaiter

https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/levagaiter-mid-gtx/

Anyone used these kahtoola gaiters?

In reply to Rory Shaw:

That zip looks quite fragile for winter use and they might not fit over big winter boots

In reply to Andypeak:

Me too, would recommend.

In reply to Rory Shaw:

I've given up on built in gaiters. They just seem to act as a place to accumulate hard packed snow in a pouch around your ankles. If you clip them to your laces and/or put cord straps on them then they restrict your movement a bit. I've zipped them out of my winter trousers.

I didn't bother with any at all for a while, but had some upsetting bog/river crossing incidents, so now I've started wearing gaiters on top of my leggings, and then trousers over the top of the lot. Keeps the snow out of the boot, allows freedom of movement of trousers and hides the gaiters from judging eyes. Win win win.

In reply to Dan Arkle:

Absolutely!!! OP should keep trawling eBay and snap up any that come up for sale

Edit: Yeti gaiters, to be clear and not accept any non yeti imposters

In reply to TechnoJim:

That does sound like a pretty sensible suggestion 

In reply to CantClimbTom:

I may well have a look at this as well, although they do seem a bit overkill? How do they affect the grip given they go over the sole unit?

In reply to Rory Shaw:

Outdoor research crocodiles.

Velcro closing 

In reply to Rory Shaw:

If you want warm dry feet in bog and slush then it's yeti gaiters. They leave the boot tread exposed so there's no problem with grip.

In reply to Rory Shaw:

Henry Ford makes ALL gaiters. You can have any colour you want as long as it is Black!

Wasn't always so

In reply to Rory Shaw:

It's not bad, eh? Effectively gives you a knee length boot under your strides.

In reply to Dave the Rave:

+1 for OR crocodiles. Have had a pair for years, not worn thru the footstrap yet. brilliant peice of kit.

In reply to Rory Shaw:

They shouldn't!

They go round the rubber rand and there is a strip that runs under the foot just in front of the heel which shouldn't get walked on very much.

However, in some boots (left one in pic) you can see it's not a straight line and the left hand side of the left pic there's a bit of the heel section poking forwards that nearly clashes with it. The right hand boot is easily compatible, the left is not, the rubber gaiter will get walked on and damaged. If it's eBay purchase you should be able to resell it if not compatible. 

The other issue is crampons given it sits on the rand. If you have boots with a toe bail groove you *should* be able to seat the yeti just above the groove. Same with heel lug. With strap on crampons (or no crampons) it shouldn't be a consideration.

Depending on the boot you can get a very slight gap under the boot on the inside edge so you can't use them as waders and expect deep water waterproofing (some people have perfect fit and super glue and can achieve a full seal) but certainly snow, slush, wet grass, some bogginess they are a game changer. Slight warmth increase too but I don't want to overstate that as it's slight, unless you have specialist insulated ones (rare)

In reply to CantClimbTom:

That's great info. Thanks for taking the time. I'll have a look on ebay

In reply to Rory Shaw:

The OR crocodile gaiters are excellent if still available. Very hard wearing and do what's required. 

Have also used decathlon ones which are cheap cheerful and effective but not so long lasting.

In reply to Rory Shaw:

I've used Mountain Equipment ankle gaiters for years now in winter snow, wet etc

I just don't get on with long gaiters, for some reason I develop a a huge sweat inside- which seems counterproductive 

In reply to Rory Shaw:

I have some Yeti gaiters lurking in my garage somewhere, I believe.  I will go in search of them tomorrow, if conditions allow. 

In reply to Rory Shaw:

I've got some old and indestructible MacPac gaiters sitting around somewhere. I'd definitely echo those who've been recommending designs with wide velcro rather than zips. Zips tend to die pretty quickly but velcro designs are less susceptible to any damage and running repairs are easier.

However, I've hardly worn them over the last few years. I got the friendly chap at my local alterations place to take in the ankles of all my softshell trousers so they can fit much more tightly around my boots. That has pretty much resolved the problem of snow getting in my boots other than for the very occasional crazy deep snow drift...

In reply to Rory Shaw:

https://www.millet.com/uk_en/mis2109-n2924-alpine-gaiter-dry-edge-unisex-bl...

Millet are good and on sale

In reply to Rory Shaw: If you can live with dpm camo, army gaiters are cheap and tough, with chunky protected rear zip and wire cable under the foot.  Practically crampon proof in a cordura goretex and usually well under £20 on EBay. Edit to add only the Mark 1 have the wire cable, the later Mark 2 don’t. Just checked and they’re both still on EBay