Short gaiters with trail runners on CF

[halfway]

Has anyone used and found value in wearing short gaiters while walking the CF. I'm thinking more to protect against sand and rocks getting into my shoes than water or mud.

 

[OZAJ]

Overboots - The Original Sox Savers

Overboots - The Original Sox Savers.

overboots.com.au

I always wear these on Camino

 

[ieremv]

Has anyone used and found value in wearing short gaiters while walking the CF. I'm thinking more to protect against sand and rocks getting into my shoes than water or mud.

Yes I did! It was perfect to keep small rocks from getting into my shoes.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

I definitely thought about it but didn't do it. For me, simpler is easier.

 

[Stewart K.]

Yep, love short gaiters. They keep your feet and socks cleaner.

 

[mattythedog]

Has anyone used and found value in wearing short gaiters while walking the CF. I'm thinking more to protect against sand and rocks getting into my shoes than water or mud.

I always use them. Without, I needed to stop every hour or 2 to dump pebbles and debris from my porous Brooks Ghosts. The dust and mud would also permeate my socks and get between toes requiring wiping them also. I also now take long pants rather than zip offs as the pants legs keep a lot of junk off my shoes. If ground or pavement is sand free, I just roll the pants up over my knees. Non zip-offs are cheaper, lighter and easier to wash (you don’t have to worry about ruining the zippers while wringing out).

 

[NJohn]

Both my husband and I absolutely loved wearing the gaiters we got from the Dirty Girl brand on our CF this past September. With the trail being dry and dusty, they saved us from rocks and dirt in our shoes. A lot of people commented on them, wishing they had them. And as I tell everyone, you have to be careful when googling them 😉

Home Page

dirtygirlgaiters.com

 

[jeanineonthecamino]

I have worn them on other hikes, including on the Pacific Crest Trail. On the Camino Frances and the Camino Norte/Primitivo... I didn't really need them and didn't miss them. Pebbles in shoes was only an occassional problem for me. I did get dirt in my shoes some days, but I also had dirt from the knees down those days - so I would have been dirty on arrival at the albergue regardless. But a little dirt in the shoes doesn't bother me since I wear double socks (injinji toe socks and a cushioned merino wool sock). Didn't even notice the dirt in the shoes until they were removed. So - in a "take em or leave em" choice... I choose to "leave em home". But if you normally wear them when you hike - then go ahead and take them! By the way - the company "Dirty Girl Gaiters" had some with Camino shells on them!

 

[davebugg]

If you are going to use gaiters for trail debris, I would also recommend looking at Dirty Girl gaiters as mentioned by NJohn.

 

[TonyScotland]

Has anyone used and found value in wearing short gaiters while walking the CF. I'm thinking more to protect against sand and rocks getting into my shoes than water or mud.

I always wear gaiters when walking in Scotland and wore them for the Camino Ingles. They are already packed ready for the CF on the 20th March 2023

 

[howardd5]

Has anyone used and found value in wearing short gaiters while walking the CF. I'm thinking more to protect against sand and rocks getting into my shoes than water or mud.

I have brought a pair on two Caminos in Spain and never wore them . I did wear them in Scotland

 

[TonyScotland]

I have brought a pair on two Caminos in Spain and never wore them . I did wear them in Scotland

Great that you walked in Scotland it's a stunning location to walk in maybe not so much when ticks are about!!
Gaiters are just part of my walking/running regime so would feel lost without them.

 

[Jenwalking]

Hi all. Novice here I thought gaiters were to keep your shoes dry when it rains. Are the dirty girl gaiters waterproof or do you need a different type for rain? Many thanks.

 

[Jo Jo]

I generally walk the American west in my Dirty Girl gaiters, and find them really useful. They are essential when walking back East in tick zones (Lymne disease). I have used them on caminos, but I find them less useful. The Way is just not as rough as in the wilderness, and I've never heard of a tick on the Camino. These days I don't bother with them on caminos, even if I miss the flash of color they provide. But HYOH.

 

[Cindy McGuire]

Has anyone used and found value in wearing short gaiters while walking the CF. I'm thinking more to protect against sand and rocks getting into my shoes than water or mud.

I always wear them. It beats stopping to dump a stone from my shoe.

 

[NJohn]

Hi all. Novice here I thought gaiters were to keep your shoes dry when it rains. Are the dirty girl gaiters waterproof or do you need a different type for rain? Many thanks.

The Dirty Girl Gaiters are not waterproof- they are only for keeping debris out of your shoes. They are a nice soft material that are easily washable and dry quickly. I appreciate that I don’t get a rash on my ankles and calves when I wear them. That is something that did happen every time I wore the normal waterproof gaiters for long distance walking in England,

 

[howardd5]

I generally walk the American west in my Dirty Girl gaiters, and find them really useful. They are essential when walking back East in tick zones (Lymne disease). I have used them on caminos, but I find them less useful. The Way is just not as rough as in the wilderness, and I've never heard of a tick on the Camino. These days I don't bother with them on caminos, even if I miss the flash of color they provide. But HYOH.

I’ve walked out west too . Wide open spaces and Long views .where is your favorite? I have worn gaiter for snakes there but when I see a snake we both back away .

 

[bergmannfamily]

I am a very big Dirty Girl Gaiters fan. I have worn them for three years, and am on my second pair. They are not waterproof, but they are made of bathing suit -like material so water running down your leg does run over them. They would not be waterproof for deep puddles. They sell a camino design with shells and arrows. If you look for them online make sure you type www.dirtygirlgaiters.com. If you just type dirty girls you get a porn site. Not only do they keep sand sticks and rocks out, but socks do not get dusty, saving the daily sock washing.

 

[jflorez]

Interesting reading of all those wearing gaiters on the CF. Maybe I've forgotten, and perhaps that is indicative of the [lack of] impact (for me), but walking the CF twice I never had issues with pebbles or rocks in my shoes, either with long pants or shorts, wearing Merrill Moab Mids or low profile Altra Timps. Luck? I don't know, but it (rocks in the shoes) was never a concern. Dirty socks? Sure, sometimes, but no different than the bottom of my trousers, and as expected. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Which, isn't to discount anyone else's experience. Your mileage may vary, as they say. 😃

 

[Rick M]

Interesting reading of all those wearing gaiters on the CF. Maybe I've forgotten, and perhaps that is indicative of the [lack of] impact (for me), but walking the CF twice I never had issues with pebbles or rocks in my shoes, either with long pants or shorts, wearing Merrill Moab Mids or low profile Altra Timps. Luck? I don't know, but it (rocks in the shoes) was never a concern. Dirty socks? Sure, sometimes, but no different than the bottom of my trousers, and as expected. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Which, isn't to discount anyone else's experience. Your mileage may vary, as they say. 😃

Totally agree. I took gaiters on my first Camino. Didn't take long before I realized they served no purpose on what are mostly improved trails. It's true that I get as many as three rocks in my shoe during the course a Camino. A good reason to find a place to sit, have a drink, and enjoy the surroundings. Keep your pack light!

 

[hikinggirl]

I am a very big Dirty Girl Gaiters fan. I have worn them for three years, and am on my second pair. They are not waterproof, but they are made of bathing suit -like material so water running down your leg does run over them. They would not be waterproof for deep puddles. They sell a camino design with shells and arrows. If you look for them online make sure you type www.dirtygirlgaiters.com. If you just type dirty girls you get a porn site. Not only do they keep sand sticks and rocks out, but socks do not get dusty, saving the daily sock washing.

hello! do the dirty girl gaiters have velcro to fasten to back of trail shoe like the ALTRA gaiter has?

 

[davebugg]

hello! do the dirty girl gaiters have velcro to fasten to back of trail shoe like the ALTRA gaiter has?

How To Wear Dirty Girl Gaiters

Click on the link above

 

[bergmannfamily]

Interesting reading of all those wearing gaiters on the CF. Maybe I've forgotten, and perhaps that is indicative of the [lack of] impact (for me), but walking the CF twice I never had issues with pebbles or rocks in my shoes, either with long pants or shorts, wearing Merrill Moab Mids or low profile Altra Timps. Luck? I don't know, but it (rocks in the shoes) was never a concern. Dirty socks? Sure, sometimes, but no different than the bottom of my trousers, and as expected. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Which, isn't to discount anyone else's experience. Your mileage may vary, as they say. 😃

I have a complete difficulty with walking. I somehow flip up mud and coat the back of my calves and knees. Evidently when it is dry it flips up and fills my shoes. Discovering gaiters was a godsend. Before gaiters if I was walking on sand or rocks I might have to stop every kilometer or less to empty my shoes.

 

[KariC]

Has anyone used and found value in wearing short gaiters while walking the CF. I'm thinking more to protect against sand and rocks getting into my shoes than water or mud.

I used and loved Dirty Girl gaiters. They add grams at most to the weight and help keep your shoes and feet dry and free of sand, rocks, and burrs.

 

[TMinAlaska]

Both my husband and I absolutely loved wearing the gaiters we got from the Dirty Girl brand on our CF this past September. With the trail being dry and dusty, they saved us from rocks and dirt in our shoes. A lot of people commented on them, wishing they had them. And as I tell everyone, you have to be careful when googling them 😉

Home Page

dirtygirlgaiters.com

I echo NJohn - husband & I both appreciated wearing our Dirty Girl gaiters to keep dust & debris out of our shoes, to keep our socks MUCH cleaner, and (for me) to protect my shoes as I tend to scuff my ankles with other foot as I walk along. I wear these hiking also. They are both lightweight and breathable. (https://dirtygirlgaiters.com/ )