REI Swiftland Gaiters are low softshell gaiters designed to be used with path runners and low climbing sneakers, together with:
- path runners with a rear gaiter lure (like Altra path runners)
- path runners or climbing sneakers which have a flat sole
- path runners or climbing sneakers with a mid-sole arch
Specs at a look
- Finest use: Path operating, climbing
- Match: Over the ankle
- Materials: 76% polyester/24% spandex, elastic wire, velcro
- Sizing: A number of
- Gender: Unisex
- Handed: The cordlock needs to be dealing with away out of your reverse leg
The REI Swiftland Gaiters are made with a stretchy polyester/spandex material that gives a cosy match round your ankle and prevents pebbles and grit from coming into the rear of your sneakers. They’re held in place with a entrance hook that slides below your shoelaces, whereas the again finish is held in place with a velcro patch within the rear or an elastic wire that runs below the only of your sneakers. You need to use each strategies directly in case your sneakers permit or only one. However they’re the one gaiters I do know that present two methods of securing the material over the again of your footwear.
Let’s have a look at all of the instances:
Path Runners with a Gaiter Lure
For instance, the Swiftland Gaiters are suitable with path runners just like the Altra Lone Peak which has a velcro tab within the rear as a result of they’ve the corresponding velcro tab within the again. Simple.
Path Runners with a Flat Sole
However what in the event you hike path runners or sneakers which have fully flat soles and don’t include a bit of velcro caught to the again of the heel? You’ve two choices. You’ll be able to glue a bit of velcro to the again of your heels, though it’ll fall off in the end, or you will get gaiters which have a skinny elastic wire that matches between your shoe’s lugs and retains the gaiters in place. They work finest with the slim diameter cords that include the gaiters at buy.
Path Runners with a Mid-Sole Arch
If use path runners or climbing sneakers which have a mid-sole arch, like these La Sportiva Wildcats, you may run Swiftland’s elastic cords by way of the arches.
Tick Chew Prevention
The Swiftland Gaiters are additionally tall sufficient which you could tuck your trouser legs into them in tick nation to maintain the buggers from crawling up your legs. That further function is essential to me as a result of excessive gaiters are too sizzling to put on within the hotter months however most low gaiters are often too low to create an efficient seal between your sneakers and your pants legs.
Gaiter Self-Restore
Lastly, the Swiftland Gaiters are self-repairable if the wire operating below your sole breaks. When bought, the gaiters embrace a spare set of elastic cords. However they’re straightforward sufficient to restore with any skinny elastic wire you may have sitting round – I’ve miles of the stuff. Gear which you could restore simply and just about without cost is an efficient factor.
Suggestion
REI Swiftland Gaiters are versatile low gaiters that may work with any path runner or low hiker. They supply duplicate methods of securing the rear of the gaiter, both with a velcro tab or an elastic wire. Additionally they come up excessive sufficient within the calf, as a way to seal the hole between your pants cuffs and the gaiter, which is helpful in Tick nation. Lastly, they’re simply self-repairable which is a giant asset in the event you hike in distant areas the place it’s tough to purchase or mail substitute components.
Â
SectionHiker is reader-supported. We solely generate income if you buy a product by way of our affiliate hyperlinks. Assist us proceed to check and write unsponsored and unbiased gear evaluations, newbie FAQs, and free climbing guides.
