Switched from ankle-high to knee-high gaiters after a ranger chewed me out on the JMT last summer

He said my low gaiters were just collecting dirt and doing nothing. I swapped to a pair of Outdoor Research Crocodiles and haven't had a single rock or snow problem since. Anyone else have a gear habit a ranger made you change?

3 comments

3 Comments

richard_wells5929d ago

Honestly yeah, rangers know their stuff when it comes to what actually works out there. Once you go knee-high it's hard to go back, they just seal everything off so much better. Tbh I think a lot of people start with ankle gaiters because they look less dorky, but that's a rookie mistake. You're not missing anything by looking like a goon if your boots and socks stay dry and clean. Ngl I bet half the folks complaining about grit in their boots on long hikes just haven't had a ranger give them the real talk yet.

lilyo3029d ago

Oh man, you hit it exactly right. I switched to knee-high gaiters after one nasty trip where I had to stop three times to dump pebbles out of my boots. Total game changer. Ankle gaiters just don't cut it when you're scrambling over loose rock or dealing with deep mud. People worry about looking silly but I'd rather look dorky and have dry feet than be cool and miserable. Once you know better you can't go back to the low ones.

oliver52329d ago

Man, I used to be the same way. Totally thought ankle gaiters were fine and knee-high ones were overkill. A buddy kept telling me to switch but I didn't listen. Then I got a ton of scree in my boots on a steep section and it sucked. Now I'm a believer too, wish I switched sooner.