Gaiters for skiing

This is the World Famous TelemarkTalk / TelemarkTips Forum, by far the most dynamic telemark and backcountry skiing discussion board on the world wide web. We have fun here, come on in and be a part of it.
User avatar
randoskier
Posts: 1096
Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2016 2:08 am
Location: Yank in Italy
Ski style: awkward
Favorite Skis: snow skis
Favorite boots: go-go
Occupation: International Pop Sensation

Gaiters for skiing

Post by randoskier » Tue Nov 26, 2024 12:39 pm

Hi I am looking for advice to track down a pair of good highly breathable ski gaiters. I have been using Begrhaus Yeti over-boot gaiters for years, but I think they are over-kill for the new boots I ordered- Lundhags Guide- because the Guide has a rubber bottom anyway, so a regular gaiter will do nicely. I don't like Black Diamond Gaiters- too tight for skiing (they make 'em that way so you don't spear them with a crampon point when climbing).

I looked at the Fjallraven Singhi but not sure I want a cotton blend down there even if it is waxed. Anyone used these?

What about the OR gaiters?

Others?

User avatar
Maxwellian
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2024 6:05 pm

Re: Gaiters for skiing

Post by Maxwellian » Wed Nov 27, 2024 12:06 am

I have the OR insect shield gaiters. They're made for keeping ticks out in summer. Uncoated nylon, pretty breathable. I don't think I even added any DWR. Have stayed dry, even on spring days with low cut boots.



User avatar
randoskier
Posts: 1096
Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2016 2:08 am
Location: Yank in Italy
Ski style: awkward
Favorite Skis: snow skis
Favorite boots: go-go
Occupation: International Pop Sensation

Re: Gaiters for skiing

Post by randoskier » Wed Nov 27, 2024 5:17 am

Maxwellian wrote:
Wed Nov 27, 2024 12:06 am
I have the OR insect shield gaiters. They're made for keeping ticks out in summer. Uncoated nylon, pretty breathable. I don't think I even added any DWR. Have stayed dry, even on spring days with low cut boots.
Do they have good space in the calf? I dislike tight gaiters.



User avatar
blitzskier
Posts: 274
Joined: Wed Jan 10, 2024 10:48 am

Re: Gaiters for skiing

Post by blitzskier » Wed Nov 27, 2024 10:55 am

i've been recycling my plastic groecery bags as gaters, like a homeless bum... save the planet :mrgreen:
"Anyone faster than me is an idiot and anyone slower a moron".



User avatar
Musk Ox
Posts: 521
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2019 7:53 am
Location: North
Ski style: Bad
Favorite Skis: I am a circumpolar mammal
Favorite boots: Hooves
Occupation: Eating lichen, walking about

Re: Gaiters for skiing

Post by Musk Ox » Wed Nov 27, 2024 11:43 am

I've got a pair of Norrøna trousers with a clip at the bottom to latch on to the laces and tight velcro pulls, and if I'm just bombing around in the vicinity they're adequate, they work very nicely to keep snow out the top of my Guides. Otherwise we have a bunch of assorted cheap old Bergans, Stormberg and Norrøna gaiters from the '90s, really simple ones.

I'd be inclined to just get any old cheap second-hand ones.



User avatar
randoskier
Posts: 1096
Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2016 2:08 am
Location: Yank in Italy
Ski style: awkward
Favorite Skis: snow skis
Favorite boots: go-go
Occupation: International Pop Sensation

Re: Gaiters for skiing

Post by randoskier » Wed Nov 27, 2024 12:25 pm

Musk Ox wrote:
Wed Nov 27, 2024 11:43 am
I've got a pair of Norrøna trousers with a clip at the bottom to latch on to the laces and tight velcro pulls, and if I'm just bombing around in the vicinity they're adequate, they work very nicely to keep snow out the top of my Guides. Otherwise we have a bunch of assorted cheap old Bergans, Stormberg and Norrøna gaiters from the '90s, really simple ones.

I'd be inclined to just get any old cheap second-hand ones.
I have a really old pair of gaiters made by a company that no longer exists, I think they are from 1999 or 2000, from Savage Gear, they are great, I keep on repairing and modifying them, but those are for hiking and a while back- climbing.

The problem with gaiters today are the calf diameters, probably due to hedge funds who buy all these companies then look to cut material off however they can to squeeze more dimes out the victim company. I also don't like gaiters that don't breath really well.

I have interior gaiters in both my 14 year-old ArcTerryx pants and my more recent Simond pants from Decathlon (best bargain anywhere for technical alpinsme pants, 70 EUR normal price! https://www.decathlon.it/p/pantaloni-al ... R-p-133045 ) but I find they are not enough as I am often in deep snow and rarely see other skiers or tracks (except in Sweden). On a two-week tour I like to stay dry.

In the end maybe I will glue the Yeti's on them.



User avatar
fgd135
Posts: 476
Joined: Sun Jan 19, 2020 2:55 pm
Location: Colorado
Ski style: Yes, sometimes.
Favorite Skis: Most of them
Favorite boots: Boots that fit
Occupation: Yes

Re: Gaiters for skiing

Post by fgd135 » Wed Nov 27, 2024 12:34 pm

I used to wear a pair of treated cotton high cut Berghaus gaiters, which fit well, but the material had a tendency to freeze up and become almost rigid in some snow conditions. Maybe a nylon version would've beem better in that regard.
For the last several years I've been using a home-modified Black Diamond tube-style alpine boot gaiters for teleboots and leather boots like the Alicos. By adding a grommet on either side of the tube at one end, it fits on the boots nicely.
This is the type of alpine boot gaiter that is basically a fabric tube that opens along one side with velcro, and has elastic at each end o' the tube, pretty basic.
"To me, gracefulness on skis should be the end-all of the sport" --Stein Eriksen



User avatar
JB TELE
Posts: 299
Joined: Thu May 19, 2022 12:25 am
Location: San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Re: Gaiters for skiing

Post by JB TELE » Wed Nov 27, 2024 10:17 pm

The OR Crocodiles are pretty much the gold standard for gaiters. Tough without being overly heavy.

Some non-waterproof ones would be nice for breathability. I wonder if they would get wet wading through dry powder.



User avatar
Maxwellian
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2024 6:05 pm

Re: Gaiters for skiing

Post by Maxwellian » Fri Nov 29, 2024 2:03 am

randoskier wrote:
Wed Nov 27, 2024 5:17 am

Do they have good space in the calf? I dislike tight gaiters.
I have the medium size, they’re fitted but not tight on my 16”/41cm calves. A little over an inch of extra material worn over a soft shell trousers and a base layer.



User avatar
randoskier
Posts: 1096
Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2016 2:08 am
Location: Yank in Italy
Ski style: awkward
Favorite Skis: snow skis
Favorite boots: go-go
Occupation: International Pop Sensation

Re: Gaiters for skiing

Post by randoskier » Fri Nov 29, 2024 9:38 am

Maxwellian wrote:
Fri Nov 29, 2024 2:03 am
randoskier wrote:
Wed Nov 27, 2024 5:17 am

Do they have good space in the calf? I dislike tight gaiters.
I have the medium size, they’re fitted but not tight on my 16”/41cm calves. A little over an inch of extra material worn over a soft shell trousers and a base layer.
I wonder if the Large would be alright with my 18" calves and size 45 foot. I also wear a base layer sand softshell pants.



Post Reply