Outside Analysis Helium Gaiters Assessment

OR’s Helium Gaiters are excessive mountain climbing gaiters which can be appropriate for four-season use with any footwear that has an arched sole. They’re a lot thinner, cooler, and lighter weight than heavier-duty mountaineering gaiters (reminiscent of OR’s Crocodile Gaiters) however nonetheless completely appropriate for winter mountain climbing with non-technical traction aids reminiscent of Hillsound Path Crampons or Kahtoola Microspikes.

Specs at a Look

• Kind: Excessive Gaiter
• Weight: 4.9 oz/pr
• Gender: males’s (girls’s mannequin additionally out there)
• Waterproof/Breathable: Pertex Protect 2.5L
• Higher: 30D Ripstop Nylon
• Decrease: 420D Nylon Packcloth With PU Coating
• Closure: Snap, Velcro, Drawstring

The OR Helium Gaiter is a light-weight excessive gaiter that reaches to only beneath the knee. It has a replaceable Hypalon (artificial rubber) strap that runs by means of the arch of your footwear to maintain the gaiter from using up and closes within the entrance with a full-length velcro strip and a high and backside snap. An elastic drawstring cinches the gaiter on the high and prevents it from falling down beneath your calf whereas worn.

I bought these gaiters as a result of I needed a pair for winter mountain climbing that was cooler with thinner material than the mountaineering gaiters I sometimes put on for winter mountain climbing and snowshoeing. Heavier mountaineering gaiters make my calves sweat profusely in winter, dampening my socks and decrease pant legs. Whereas there are occasions after I want the added decrease leg safety {that a} mountaineering gaiter gives, reminiscent of when utilizing full crampons, most of my winter hikes contain should much less aggressive traction aids like Hillsound Path Crampons the place the hazard of self-inflicted wounds is nearly non-existent.

I’m fairly happy with these Helium Gaiters as a result of they’re a lot cooler than the mountaineering gaiters I personal. They’re additionally very breathable and the outside feels noticeably damp after I’m mountain climbing or snowshoeing in them. They’re absolutely waterproof with a gaiter hook on the base to connect to your laces or a gaiter ring in your boots. I’m additionally a fan of the elastic drawstring on the high as a result of it prevents the gaiters from dropping beneath the calf and bunching across the ankles which tends to happen after I use mountaineering gaiters that shut with a webbing strap and buckle. (see additionally Winter Mountaineering Gaiters: Advantages and Pitfalls.)

If there’s one concern I’ve about these gaiters it’s the standard of the development. The primary time I took them off, the highest snap on the high of the entrance velcro closure tore off and flew throughout the room. I take into account that high snap to be redundant with the entrance velcro closure for the reason that gaiters don’t depend on it to remain shut. Nonetheless, it was disconcerting to have the snap tear out that simply and I plan to contact OR for a guaranty substitute.

In any other case, these OR Helium Gaiters are simple to love. They’re snug to put on, they shed snow effectively, they usually keep up once you cinch the drawstring twine. I think they’ll additionally show precious within the spring through the mud season when my soiled lady gaiters are inadequate to maintain splashback off my decrease legs.

Disclosure: The writer bought this product.

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