Sock protectors -- Only in Australia ???

[Man in Black]

While hiking the Camino Frances in September we met an Irish pilgrim who was wearing a short set of cloth gaiters On this dry and dusty day it was to keep the rocks out of his shoes. He said that an Australian pilgrim had gifted them to him years before and they were ideal. I've tried online to find them in Canada but to no avail. It seems that Australia and NZ have the corner on the market and will not ship to Canada. This is one brand I've looked at. Ideally they would be light and water resistant.

Any North American gear junkies out there with suggestions? Thanks.

 

[jsalt]

A lady in my hiking club used to make them and sell them, but, sadly, not anymore; it was a long time ago. But anyway, they are very easy to make yourself.
Jill

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

You might be able to find an inexpensive old shirt or jacket in a second-hand shop with elastic cuffs and make a pair of gaiters from the sleeves.

[EDIT: I really like C Clearly's post below.]

 

[Bill Anthony]

While hiking the Camino Frances in September we met an Irish pilgrim who was wearing a short set of cloth gaiters

Have a look at Dirty Girl Gaiters, highly thought of in the thru hiking community. The product is from the states.

 

[jmcarp]

Gosh, I always considered my shoes to be sock protectors . But seriously, REI lists several types of short, ankle high gaiters. Have you tried the Canadian outdoor coop, M-something (can't remember the full name, but it's three initials like REI south of the border)?

 

[george.g]

Hi, sock protectors is a bit of a misnomer they are actually boot protectors, on this years camino from Almeria the lining of my Hoka Tor Summit were totally destroyed by fine dust and sand that found it’s way into my boots, I surmise that the combination of sweat, vasalene, sand and sock acted like sandpaper and wore away the event lining.
As it happens these boots had proven to be very poor in the waterproof department prior to this and I had emailed the supplier on every instance of wet feet and the boots were replaced on my return to the UK.
Regards
George

 

[Deleted member 67185]

While hiking the Camino Frances in September we met an Irish pilgrim who was wearing a short set of cloth gaiters On this dry and dusty day it was to keep the rocks out of his shoes. He said that an Australian pilgrim had gifted them to him years before and they were ideal. I've tried online to find them in Canada but to no avail. It seems that Australia and NZ have the corner on the market and will not ship to Canada. This is one brand I've looked at. Ideally they would be light and water resistant.

Any North American gear junkies out there with suggestions? Thanks.

Dirty Girl gaiters are a favorite for backpackers in the US. They work well. And they do ship to Canada, as well as overseas.

https://dirtygirlgaiters.com/

 

[domigee]

A canadian pilgrim showed me her - very technical - way to keep small stones from entering boots : you fold your socks over the top of the shoe

 

[nidarosa]

I won't go anywhere without my Dirty Girl Gaiters! They keep sand, dust and various trail debris out of my shoes, keep them cleaner and brighten my day right up. Not water resistant though but I wonder - if I spray them with silicon spray? I like that they are very breathable though.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

A canadian pilgrim showed me her - very technical - way to keep small stones from entering boots : you fold your socks over the top of the shoe

Well, you'd have to wear kind of tall socks to accomplish that. I love and wear short Wigwam sport socks that barely cover my ankles. They do not have enough height to roll over the shoe.

 

[Anne&Pat]

I have used Australian "Driza-bone" oilskin boot guards during both our Caminos as well as the West Highland Way. I also use them all the time in Australia when walking in the bush. They are completely effective at keeping stones out of my boots and grass seeds out of my socks. They also help to keep rainwater away from the boot tongue when worn in conjunction with waterproof overtrousers. I suggest you have a look at the following links for Australian suppliers who will dispatch their products overseas. http://www.morrisoutside.com.au or https://store.drizabone.com.au/alora-sock-protectors-brown
Good luck. Pat and Anne

 

[C clearly]

While hiking the Camino Frances in September we met an Irish pilgrim who was wearing a short set of cloth gaiters On this dry and dusty day it was to keep the rocks out of his shoes. He said that an Australian pilgrim had gifted them to him years before and they were ideal. I've tried online to find them in Canada but to no avail. It seems that Australia and NZ have the corner on the market and will not ship to Canada. This is one brand I've looked at. Ideally they would be light and water resistant.
Any North American gear junkies out there with suggestions? Thanks.

Here is an old thread with a discussion. (I remember it because I started it!) To summarize, this is my solution to keeping rocks out of my shoes. It is cheap and easy, but unfortunately not water resistant. Take a pair of ladies' knee-high stockings, cut off the foot, and pull it over your boots. Throw them away if you don't need them. Buy a new pair in almost any village if you need them.

I am still pondering how to make some waterproof ones, but in the meantime, I am walking southern routes where there is less rain!

 

[malandlyn]

While hiking the Camino Frances in September we met an Irish pilgrim who was wearing a short set of cloth gaiters On this dry and dusty day it was to keep the rocks out of his shoes. He said that an Australian pilgrim had gifted them to him years before and they were ideal. I've tried online to find them in Canada but to no avail. It seems that Australia and NZ have the corner on the market and will not ship to Canada. This is one brand I've looked at. Ideally they would be light and water resistant.

Any North American gear junkies out there with suggestions? Thanks.

We cut bottoms off old trousers and then sew in elastic. This way you can make them longer/shorter to suit etc. I am in Australia and wear these daily and for the camino as I seem to get little stones in boots even on tarmac !

 

[Man in Black]

Thank you for all your helpful suggestions, the DIY options and the Aussie options. Now to make a choice.

 

[Misfitter]

Hi Man in Black

I would be happy to post you a pair. If you DM me we can work something out I'm sure

Julie

 

[Hiawatha]

We make our own as well . The bottom 200mm of old well worn jean legs are best . A simple hem and some 6mm flat elastic is all you need . Water proof material and synthetics will only make your feet sweat .

 

[HeidiL]

Look in the ski equipment aisle - cross-country skiers wear gaiters, too.

 

[Theatregal]

Gosh, I always considered my shoes to be sock protectors . But seriously, REI lists several types of short, ankle high gaiters. Have you tried the Canadian outdoor coop, M-something (can't remember the full name, but it's three initials like REI south of the border)?

The Canadian company is MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op)

 

[nidarosa]

All this got me thinking ... My goretex trousers are a little bit shorter than I'd like (yes I'm a convert to rain trousers and poncho now) and I do like a spot of DIY, so I dug out a pair of unused waterproof gaiters with velcro fastening and had a look. I have just cut them off below the ankle elastic and removed the bungee tightener at the top, and when I turn them on their heads they become wide, waterproof 'skirts' that I can quickly put on to protect most of my shoes! And all this weighs 32 grams. For two.

 

[BrianForbesColgate]

MEC: Mountain Equipment Co-op https://www.mec.ca/en/

 

[handzondeck2]

While hiking the Camino Frances in September we met an Irish pilgrim who was wearing a short set of cloth gaiters On this dry and dusty day it was to keep the rocks out of his shoes. He said that an Australian pilgrim had gifted them to him years before and they were ideal. I've tried online to find them in Canada but to no avail. It seems that Australia and NZ have the corner on the market and will not ship to Canada. This is one brand I've looked at. Ideally they would be light and water resistant.

Any North American gear junkies out there with suggestions? Thanks.

I use them all the time when I walked the Camino. Very lightweight and easy to wash.

 

[gerardcarey]

'Sock Protectors', short length, available at KMart in Australia. Bought a pair today for A$5. Not waterproof by the look of them so will give them a double spray of 'Scotchgard' fabric protector, a waterproofing available from Woolworths or Bunnings.
Regards
Gerard

 

[Hiawatha]

Prompted by all this discussion I looked at my ancient home made pair and decided they had seen better days . Anne&Pat's link to Morrisoutside leads you to a range of sock/boot guards that have few rivals .
Personally I would never use waterproof ones on a Camino but then many would , there are ones with reflective tape for high visibility , gumboot/ Wellington boot top protectors ,long and short sorts and many other variations .
I bought the modest heavy cotton variety , available from Aussie Disposals in Aust . all of $13. and only $10. on line .
http://morrisoutside.com.au/shop/gardening-gloves-181923624/boot-guard-heavy-duty-drill-cotton