[pct-l] gaiters

[CHUCK CHELIN]

Good evening, Hillary,


I use gaiters virtually all the time on any trail.  That’s just my personal
preference to keep the “trail mix” out of my shoes.  My shoes are loose at
the ankles, and my socks are thin.  That results in gaps around the tops of
my shoes that invite an accumulation of junk.  Many hikers don’t have that
problem, or they have a way of ignoring the stuff if it does get in.  Some
hikers wear thick socks which they allow to bunch in roles and folds just
above the shoe, thereby serving to deflect trash.  Even with gaiters I
sometimes get lots of fine sand in the shoe which mostly enters through the
mesh fabric over the toes where the gaiters are substantially ineffective.



Compared to most trails – even a city park trail -- there is nothing
inherently “trashy” about the PCT.  I’d say by now you should know enough
about your own walking to have an idea if you can hike without being
aggravated by trash.  DirtyGirls are very popular, being effective, light,
and moderately priced.  I don’t wear them -- preferring plain black rather
than bizarre patterns and colors.



Steel-Eye

Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965

http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye

http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09


On Wed, Jan 26, 2011 at 7:32 PM, Hillary Schwirtlich <
hillary.schwirtlich at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hey everyone, I'm liking the broad questions ("bounce box y or n" made me
> realize I might not need a bounce box), so here's another one. How many
> people wear gaiters when not in the Sierra? I'm thinking about buying a
> pair
> of Dirty Girls, but since I've never felt like I've needed gaiters unless I
> was in danger of postholing, I think I'm being swayed by the fancy
> colors...
> then again I've never hiked long distances in running shoes. Any thoughts?
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