Gear for the Camino: Gaiters (do you need them?)
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- Опубликовано: 16 сен 2024
- Do you need gaiters to walk the Camino? I purchased a pair of these for my walk on the Fisherman’s Trail in Portugal, and now I wonder if I need to add them to my pack for the Camino.
Dirty Girl Gaiters: dirtygirlgaite...
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I had some waterproof gaiters made for me when I returned from my Camino Frances. My Camino was very rainy and windy for a few weeks - and cold, mostly in the mornings. (Started in late March, walked through April and into May) My boots got wet a couple of times. I never got blisters because I kept my feet dry. Gaiters are now part of my wet weather gear.
I didn't even think about wet conditions (probably. because the weather was beautiful when I walked in Portugal, and I was so focused on the gaiters keeping sand out of my shoes that I didn't consider other possibilities!). With all the great perspective in these comments, I'm now thinking that I may add gaiters to my Camino packing-list going forward...
@@NadineWalks I wear full ankle-covering hiking boots because I have a shonky ankle and it needs support. (Also, higher boots stop one's feet from sliding forward which can cause blisters around the toes.) Water pools under the laces in the sealed cavity which is supposed to be waterproof - but what does that really mean? No such thing as waterproof, really. So water slowly leaked into my boots when the weather was particularly bad. My gaiters now cover the whole lace area and there's a little bit of velcro at the toe which keeps them from sliding up and revealing the lace area. Combined with my rain pants - dry comfy cosy even when it's raining sideways.
I walked the CF and CP in 2021 and 2022, and never felt the need for gaiters. But just prior to leaving for the Via Podiensis this May, I heard from a friend who had started the same route 5 days ahead of me that it was cold, rainy, and muddy. He recommended I bring gaiters, so I made a quick trip to REI and bought their store brand. They look very similar to yours, except mine have a cord that goes under your arch on the outside of the shoe to keep the sides from riding up. That was very helpful, as I use low height trail runners. They worked as advertised to keep most of my shoe from being completely covered in mud. P.S. my Altra Lone Peaks have built in Velcro on the heels.
I started the Via Podiensis in late May and think gaiters may have been good for keeping grass seeds off my socks/out of my shoes. And probably to Nadine's comment about keeping socks clean - mine did get quite grubby each day. Hope you enjoyed your time on the VP - the wildflowers were gorgeous.
Good to hear this review! And so helpful to know that they would help with muddy conditions- I'm glad you had them! (and I had no idea that there might be shoes out there with velcro already built-in on the heels!!)
I have used gaiters for the past few years...they save the tops of shoes and my socks aren't as stained and grubby. Even my ankles feel cleaner. I wear with all longer walks since I tend to kick debris into my ankles even on pavement. Highly recommend.☺️
Thanks for this recommendation!! After reading through all these comments, I'm now leaning towards taking them on my next Camino...
I didn't use gaiters in the summer on the Camino Frances. However on the Camino del Norte in the winter they were indispensable.
Ooh, yes, I didn't think to address seasons... because they'd definitely be useful in the winter!
I live in Australia and use gaiters most walks, sand, grit, snakes, spiders you name it. I have light weight stretchy ones, waterproof heavy duty ones (Sea to Summit) and a mid weight pair. (Montane). I used them on the Camino too, everyone was asking me what they were and I had women stopping me to ask. Unlike you, mine are bright green palm trees pattern all I could get! I find they just make the whole walking experience that much better, you know the tiny mosquito in the room, same with grit and sand.
As I hike the mountains of Colorado I always use gators. They are just so light that the benefit of keeping crap out of my shoes is number 1. I am bringing them for my September Camino.
It IS true that they're so light and pack down to nearly nothing, and it's been interesting to see in these comments that others use them and have seen them a lot more on the Camino! Maybe I just haven't been paying attention!
I saw a lot of Gaiters on my El Camino recently... People wear them to avoid rain mostly.. And the hiking boots getting wet, that can also lead to bacteria / smell. As for rocks, you might get it a very few places on Asturias (where there is much more dusty mountains).
Its much more preferable to, wear trail runners, in 1 size bigger with both small gaiters and for rain/cold weather just let them dry quick. Have a dry pair of socks or even use a waterproof sock with liner inside. Hasnt failed or given me blisters for the past 3 years. And they never smell or get wet for long and its more than half the weight compare to big gaiters and heavy boots.
Thanks for this comment and the tips! I didn't even address rain in my video, whoops! (I probably didn't even think about it because I didn't have any rain on my walk!) But gaiters would definitely be useful on rainy days (especially if it's a light rain/mist). I haven't noticed them on the Camino but I also haven't been paying attention, so I'll have to be on the lookout now!
My feet and Gortex shoes got soaked on my Coastal Camino. (1 day) Walking in the sand was a pain due to the sand getting kicked up and ended up in my shoes. Wearing gaiters with shorts was my only question but your video answered that. Thanks
Yes, I think these would have helped on that Camino!
Dear Nadine, I’m from the near future. I know that you’ll need some knee length gaiters, on a future Camino. Gaiters are not just for rain, snow or dirt. Knee lengths are usually made of tougher material and can be partially if not totally, thorn proof. Yes, if you’re wearing shorts, it may look strange but up against torn lower legs, they’re fantastic. Another reason for knee highs, is that my poncho comes down past my knees, waterproof-ish bod. So yes, I carry my gaiters all the time…
Used superglue on the velcro for my gaiters. Very effective to prevents small rocks or sand from entering my hiking Oboz on the Camino Frances in 2022. Great review Nadine.
I saw a lot of people wearing gaitors this past spring on the CF. Not sure if I ever noticed them before, but his year it seemed fairly common.
I've never noticed them! But then again, I'm not sure that I've ever really paid attention? I'll certainly be on the lookout on my next Camino!
In the old days weren't those a fashion accessory called spats? Nice to hear the practicalities of wearing them. Cheers and adventure on.
I've never heard of spats!! But it's very possible- until now, I've never really paid much attention to gaiters!
@@NadineWalks en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spats_(footwear)
I’d like to know more about using gaiters in rainy conditions to keep shoes drier. Types of gaiter material available for this use? Plan to walk Camino Frances next Spring.
My understanding is that basic, lightweight gaiters would give protection against light rain, though you may be able to find a fully waterproof pair. The pair that I used are not waterproof (and I didn't encounter any rain on my hike so I couldn't test that out!) But from what I've read they will help keep shoes/socks dry in a light rain. Here's one example of a waterproof pair that looks fairly lightweight, though I'm sure you can find others! zpacks.com/products/ankle-gaiters
I could not walk the Camino without my gaiters. I have diabetic neuropathy and the gaiters kept my shoes clean from debris. I use Dirty Girl with my Altras and ToPo gaiters with my ToPos.
So light it makes not a bit of difference. Props for making a whole video on it though lol.
Haha, I don't often test out new gear (I'm a creature of habit and have used the same things over and over and over), so I guess I was excited to talk about these! :)
What about ticks, is it a problem on the camino? ..and what is your experience ?
I've never encountered ticks on the Camino (I HAVE experienced them closer to home, on the east coast of the US... but never on the Camino!)
Would they be useful with mud/snow?
Indeed they are
Although then you would of course want one of the waterproof versions....
Like @peterexpatkiwi suggested, for snow you'd probably want to look for a specific type (but they definitely make gaiters for hiking in snow/snow activities!)
Only Quintus Sertorius has walked down Iberia more than you.
I had to look this guy up :)
You’re up early or late to bed 😊
Haha, actually, neither! I can schedule when to release videos (and for some reason decided that 3am- my time- is good? I have no idea why. Maybe it's so people in Europe can have the video pop up mid-morning, and those in the States will see it when they first wake up. But does it all matter? Probably not!!)
Sort of makes sense , you’re a couple of hours ahead but it was a nice bed time treat 😊