[pct-l] Gaiters

[SnoLepard at TrekkingKats.com (SnoLepard)]

I agree with almost everything that John Vonhoff wrote about the gaiters. The only thing I would disagree with is the statement that one pair will last the entire trip. My first pair of Joe Trailmans were in shreds by the time I reached Castella in northern California. My second pair were nearly as bad by the time I reached Manning Park.

I wore gaiters almost every inch of trail on my 2002 PCT thruhike. I highly recommend using them. 

Here is what I posted on another website about my experience with light weight gaiters on November 6, 2001.

I had really bad luck with Minigaiters, a Seattle company. First I bought their Arizona Gaiters, designed for desert hiking. And they were so tiny I could barely get them on my ankles, and they certainly would not cover the tops of my trail shoes. 
Then I tried their trail running gaiters. Both types were sold as "one size fits all." The strap on the trail running gaiters did not fit all the way under my shoe and up the other side. This on a size 11 shoe. 

They finally admitted by e-mail they are designed for size 8. I doubt that they would work though. 

Two days ago I got trail running gaiters from Joe Dana in Tucson. These things are perfect! They are as light as a pair of liner socks, and breathable. There is no strap under the shoe. There is velcro on the back and a standard shoelace hook in the front. They are a tube, which means they do not open. You put them on your foot before you put on your shoes. 

He supplies enough velcro and glue to set up 9 pairs of shoes! 

They fit my 12 EE New Balance easily. It's easy to put on, and it's easy to remove your shoe without taking the gaiter off your foot. 

They come in red or black, for $23, including shipping. I received them in less than a week. Find them at: 

http://home.att.net/~joetrailman/index.html 

These will make your shoes and socks last a lot longer on dirty trails. Not to mention reduce blisters and the discomfort of having debris in your shoes. Just right for the ultralight thruhiker! 

~>^..^< 

SnoLepard  Thru in '02!