Montbell’s Light Long Gaiters are extremely purposeful Gore-tex Gaiters with a easy design that overcomes most of the issues that you just’re more likely to expertise with gaiters from different firms, together with Outdoor Research’s Crocodile Gaiters, the most well-liked winter gaiters bought at present. These Montbell gaiters are finest used for snowshoeing and winter mountain climbing with gentle traction aids like microspikes or path crampons and aren’t as thick or protecting as gaiters supposed to be used with full mountaineering or mountaineering crampons.
Specs at a look
- Height: Calf-high
- Gender: Unisex
- Waterproof/breathable: Gore-tex
- Weight: 5.1 oz
- Fabrics: 50-denier nylon ripstop (higher), 210-denier Urethane coated nylon (backside)
- Closure: Zipper
- Color: Two-tone pink and gray, or all-back
- Sizing: Runs small. If you have got fats calves or Men’s measurement 11 boots or greater, these gaiters shall be too small.
Unique Design
Montbell’s Light Long Gaiters are calf-high gaiters that shut (vertically) with a heavy-duty rear zipper as a substitute of velcro and depend on elastic tensioning on the prime to maintain them from sliding down your legs and bunching round your ankles. They have a gaiter hook and a heavy-duty replaceable instep strap that’s anchored with a grommet/hook mixture however non-adjustable in size.
This is a fairly completely different design than the OR Crocodile Gaiter, which is why these Montbell gaiters caught my eye. The OR Crocodiles use velcro to shut the entrance of the gaiter; they’ve an adjustable belt-like strap to safe the highest over your calves, and an adjustable size instep strap to forestall the gaiter from driving up your leg. The final two of those options are problematic as a result of the Crocodile gaiters tend to fall down across the ankles and the instep strap is straightforward to tear out, requiring frequent third-party repairs.
I’m satisfied that the Montbell design is healthier performing and extra sturdy for those who’re searching for a non-technical gaiter instead.
Construction
Montbell’s Light Long Gaiters use completely different higher and decrease materials for breathability and safety: the higher a part of the gaiter is a 50d nylon ripstop whereas the underside is 210-denier Urethane coated nylon. The uppers are reasonably breathable, which minimal inner moisture buildup, even on very steep and strenuous climbs in deep snow. This is vital since you need winter gaiters to behave as a part of your layering system, contributing decrease leg heat somewhat than making your legs chilly as a result of your socks get soaked from perspiration.
Zippers
I’ve had combined luck with gaiters with zipper closures as a substitute of velcro: I reviewed a number of gaiters from Hillsound some years again and their zippers all failed inside a season. Those zippers had been on the entrance of the gaiters although, whereas the Montbell gaiters are on the rear and higher protected. They’re additionally strengthened on the prime with a snap so the zipper shouldn’t be below rigidity when the gaiter is worn.
As you may think about, placing on a gaiter with a rear zipper is a ache within the ass as a result of it means contorting your physique to achieve behind your leg. An easier answer is to zip the gaiters on with the zipper in entrance earlier than rotating them round your shin in order that the zipper is going through the rear. This is important to attach the gaiter hook to your laces, since its positions on the facet reverse the zipper.
Top Collar
The prime of the Montbell gaiter is a comfortable elastic band that encircles your higher calf and prevents the gaiter from sliding down round your ankles. Snug is the operative phrase. It’s way more dependable at holding the gaiter from falling down round your ankles than every other gaiter I’ve used this winter. I additionally assume it takes extra rigidity off the rear zipper closure.
Instep Strap
The backside instep strap is girth hitched to the gaiter on one facet with a grommet and on the opposite with a hook, making it very straightforward to switch for those who handle to interrupt it. That’s quite a bit higher than having to ship it out for restore. The size shouldn’t be adjustable, nonetheless, however that’s much less of a problem for those who’re not sporting inflexible mountaineering boots.
Colors
Available in pink/gray or all black, I couldn’t assist myself and purchased the pink/gray mannequin as a result of I believed they’d be amusing to put on and since they clearly illustrate the usage of the 2 materials on the gaiter. Technically, these gaiters are Unisex solely and the pinkish colour shouldn’t be pink, however one thing that Montbell labels as “Cosmos,” no matter that’s…
Recommendation
If you’re searching for a calf-high trekking gaiter that’s comfy to put on for snowshoeing and winter mountain climbing, I recommend you give these Montbell Light Long Gaiters a strive. They’re skinny and funky sufficient to maintain your ft and calves from perspiring when mountain climbing or snowshoeing in winter, they’re straightforward to keep up for those who break the instep strap, and don’t continuously fall down round your ankles like another in style gaiters. Time will inform how lengthy the zipper closure lasts (examine again in 2 years), however I’m fairly bullish on these gaiters and assume they’re a very good addition to my winter footwear package.
Disclosure: The writer bought this product.
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