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Dirty Girl Gaiters

Camino Inspired & Tested Gear!
New Original Camino Gear Designed Especially with The Modern Peregrino In Mind!
What is the point of gaiters on the Camino - or anywhere? Do they help to keep the dirt and rain out of your shoes?
 
Altus 24 Liters daypack (DENON 24 H30)
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
Chris Gi said:
What is the point of gaiters on the Camino - or anywhere? Do they help to keep the dirt and rain out of your shoes?
Click to expand...

Dirty Girl gaiters are extremely lightweight, non-waterproof, and very breathable. They do not keep water out, but then no gaiter is really capable of doing that. There purpose is to help keep the intrusion of trail debris, like dirt and pebbles and small bits of twig and pine needles, etc from getting into the shoe.

You see a lot of experienced backpackers wearing them in the US.

Overall, they work well. Does one need them? No; but they can help keep socks a bit cleaner and reduce the time spend dumping stuff out of a shoe.
 
My 'trail name' on the CF in 2012 was Pebbles because I kept having to take my shoes off and shake the assorted debris out of them, so I am very happy to have my DGGs! They also keep my socks and shoes marginally cleaner, they brighten up my day and they have been the icebreaker for many conversations on the way! (mine are Pretty Kitty, if anyone wondered)
 
Thank you for your information. To be honest I have never seen any one use them here in San Diego and I do lots of hiking in Southern California. Maybe some of us are behind the times as they do look pretty snazzy.
I remember when I lived in England 50 years ago men would wear ugly waterproof gaiters over their shoes when it rained.
 
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I wore them last year, and befriended a guy in our first Albergue who also wore them. (They are not just for girls!) I find they help divert both rain and dust.
 
I bought a pair of Dirty Girl gators the last 200 miles of the Appalachian Trail and found them next to useless and overpriced. The way they connect on the back (Velcro) was an afterthought and ineffective. Trail bling.
 
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cbacino said:
I bought a pair of Dirty Girl gators the last 200 miles of the Appalachian Trail and found them next to useless and overpriced. The way they connect on the back (Velcro) was an afterthought and ineffective.
Click to expand...

Isn't it funny how different people can come to differing conclusions about something like a piece of gear

I found them extremely useful on both my thru hikes on the Pacific Crest Trail and the Colorado Trail. I did not care for the velcro patch on the back of the shoe, but it worked for me. But, I much prefer that system for this type of gaiter than dealing with the under the shoe cord tie.
 
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Whilst visIting my daughter in Australia several years ago I noticed that many workmen wearing shorts and boots also wore small simple ankle gaiters to prevent dirt and stones getting into their boots.
They are generally made of cotton with an elasticated top and are sold in budget outlets, although there are more sophisticated, i.e. waterproof etc, models available in sports and outdoor shops.
I bought a couple of pairs similar to these http://www.morrisoutside.com.au/shop/gardening-gloves-181923624/boot-guard-heavy-duty-drill-cotton and I wore a pair when I walked the Camino Frances. They were a real boon. They are so simple to put on and take off and although not waterproof I have found that rain is prevented from entering the shoe to a substantial degree.
 
I have some simple cotton gaiters I bought about 10 years ago in a cheap store in Australia for about $4. I wear them almost every time I hike, trail run, and I wore them on the Camino in 2014. I have very sensitive feet and can feel each and every tiny stone and speck of dust--I love them. You can make a pair easily with a sewing machine. It has simple elastic around the ankle.
 
I received mine already and they seem to work perfectly with the built-in Altra gaiter traps. Now I need to get to a trail to really test them out!
 
Altus BALI Sleeping bag liner
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
I wear a pair of these Aussie gaiters,,and they are great for keeping out all sorts of stuff from my shoes
 
I found a pattern to make gaiters similar to the dirty girl gaiters. I wore them for a week or so on my first Camino, but decided that they were too much of a bother to put on take off each time I took my shoes off for a break. Yes, I am lazy.
 
I have the Altra gaiters which are set up for Altras shoes. Very similar to DGG's, but directly compatible with Altras securing points.
I love them!
They keep the "junk"out. No pebbles, grass seed, twigs etc. I tried not wearing them recently and had to stop twice for "junk" in my shoes. They weigh almost nothing and also keep your laces secure. In other words, I highly recommend them.
 
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Chris Gi said:
What is the point of gaiters on the Camino - or anywhere? Do they help to keep the dirt and rain out of your shoes?
Click to expand...
They do neither effectively.
 
I have gaiters which do wonders in rain, keeps lower trousers dry, covered and clean. THe combination of poncho + gaiters work fine for me (ponchos leave your lower legs exposed at each step, even "filling" the boot top from above): and in mud you splatter stuff all over when walking - the velcro(mine are in front) makes them easily added/removed without taking shoes off - and for severe conditions (mud/snow) I love them.
 
Altus Poncho (ATMOSPHERIC H30)
Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
What brand/type do you use Blablah?
 
I got excited by the title of the thread!
Then realized I was on the wrong forum.

Joking apart, I used similar gaiters walking across France in 2015, and was really glad to have them. But ditched them when I got to Spain. In winter though well worth it.

Davey
 
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The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
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