Discussion: Gaiters

After o'ing through woods today, I found my legs scratched to pieces. I was wondering if anyone could recommend which gaiters to get. Cheers.

I like the Finnish VJs.

http://www.ultrasport.co.uk/index.php?main_page=in...

But they're pretty warm, so here in Texas, I sometimes opt for scratches.

I've been happy enough with my treklites but I don't wear them anymore unless the thorns are really bad.

Under a pair of (synthetic, not cotton) long pants, I've found that wrapping the lower 4-6 inches of leg, just above the shoe, with the stretchy self-adhearing bandage wrap works really well.

I wear soccer socks under my O pants. A cheap solution with lots of sale priced merchandise readily available at your local mall. They're a lot cooler than gaiters - in both meanings of the word ;-) and seem to be just as effective judging by my experience

Gaiters slow you down. Take pride in your scratch collection.

On the flip side, having to pull thorns out of your leg also slows you down. (I'd also go for the V-Js.)

I only wear gaiters now if the thorns are realy bad, normally i just wear a pair of o-socks (like socker socks but with a tighter weave on the front.
when i wear gaiters i found that silva makes really good and light gaiters

I used to wear gaiters. Then I orienteered in Texas. Now everywhere I orienteer I feel like I'm running through fields of moss and bunny fur.

Looks like VJ's or socks come out best, depending on temperature and thorn size. Hmmm, I wouldn't normally bother, but I seem to react fairly badly to brambles :(
Thanks for the advice!

What do people think of the Trimtex Super OL Gaiters, they're on: http://www.compasspoint-online.co.uk/acatalog/Pers...
Also, what are the sizes like (rough guide). I'm female and 17 years old...

Depends on the shape of legs, I'd think. I have thick calves and need the zip in version rather than pull-on (I use VJ ProTech, listed just above the Super OL's). If you have slim trim runner's legs, the OL's would probably work just fine. Size would depend on your height (distance between knee and ankle) -- for women, probably small or medium.

If you choose the padded socks, be sure to try them on if you can and see how comfortable they are first. Even with liner socks, the front-padded socks I purchased once were such a rough knit that I got blisters.

Also the Super OL has a strap that goes under your foot to hold it on - could you get used to that? I prefer the ones that lace onto my shoes.

I prefer the stirrups on Trimtex gaiters to any other system for keeping the gaiter from allowing any of the lower part of the leg above the shoe I've tried (no need to attach it to the shoe or shoelaces and no chance of a zipper starting to come undone). The stirrup is a very thin band of fabric - I've never found it noticeable let alone irritating while running though perhaps there are others who are sensitive enough and wear enough fewer sock layers than I who have a different experience.

I'll note, for those who find the features of the Trimtex design appealing, that Vapro now makes a very similar (and slightly cheaper where I shop) gaiter. I expect durability will be similar as well though I have only put my first pair of them through the Highlander so far so the track record is short.

Vapro gaiters are definitely my favorite, & I'd rate them well above the VJ gaiters. I just replaced my pair of VJ gaiters because they would consistently fall down when I ran (they tie below the knee, and the ties can easily get lost or come undone; they also tie onto the shoelaces in the front, which is not as secure as the ones that loop under the foot).

The Vapro model fits tightly, is fastened w/ a velcro below the knee that stays on nicely, & it hooks under the foot...I've never had a problem with them slipping, and since they are a trimmer fit than many varieties of gaiters, they don't get in the way as much. I'd recommend getting smalls.

Has anyone else found V-J (protech)s fall down? - something I unsurprisingly want to avoid. I just need to decide between these and the Trimtex Super OL. Also, can anyone confirm both of these are bramble proof, as that is my main obstacle. Thanks.

My protechs often fall down. I have taken to tightening the ties at the top more, but I thought perhaps I had bought the wrong size (too small) which puts the tie closer to the meatier part of the calf instead of the narrower part above near the knee.

At the mo, I'm heading towards the Trimtex Super OL - unless anyone can convince me otherwise...

Does anyone know if there are any o'ing shops around Sheffield? Thanks.

Has anybody tried motorcycle socks?

Saw some of these in an ALDI brochure and they had padded fronts, but were sold out at my local store. THey looked like another possible alternate.

I've taken to now only wearing gaitors when I rogaine because I'm generally too lazy to put them on for an orienteering event. I can handle bumps and scratches if I'm only out there less than 90 minutes or so but scratches on scratches generated on a rogaine really begin to hurt.