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REI Desert Gaiters
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The low-cut REI Desert gaiters ensure protection from debris while you hike, trek or run in the heat of summer.
- Designed to fit trail-running shoes, light hiking boots and outdoor cross-training shoes
- Lightweight, breathable nylon fabric has a soft, supple hand
- Fabric provides UPF 30 sun protection, shielding skin from harmful ultraviolet rays
- Overlapping rip-and-stick front closures allow quick, easy adjustments
- Elastic at top and bottom openings provides a comfortable, flexible fit
- REI Desert gaiters have lace hooks and instep cords to secure the gaiters in place
Imported.
Item 803452
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REI Trail Gaiters- $39.50
REI Desert Gaiters- Reduced to: $12.83
- Originally: $26.50
REI Desert Gaiter- $26.50
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REI Desert Gaiters Customer Reviews
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
- Lightweight (14)
- Breathable (11)
- Good size/fit (5)
- Versatile (5)
- Durable (4)
Cons
- Poor fit (9)
Best Uses
- Sizing:
Feels too small
73%
(11 reviews)
Feels true to size
Feels too large
- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid adventurer (11), Casual/ recreational (4)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (14)
Reviewed by 18 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-10
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Pros
Cons
- Poor Fit
Best Uses
Comments about REI Desert Gaiters:
I oowned these Gaitewrs for 5 minutes. Had the Large size and did not fit. They run extremely small. So if you are a tall/big hiker skip it.
- Sizing:
- Feels too small
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Keep Stuff Out
- Lightweight
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Hiking
Comments about REI Desert Gaiters:
I wear these perhaps 200 times/year. On my 2nd pair, which lasts me perhaps 3 years. This version is better than the ones a few years ago, albeit a little hotter. I use them for hiking, trail running and mtn biking. The instep tie wears out (much better than the old version) over time, so I just use vinyl coated steel wire as a replacement. I wear these over low tops, so no fitting problems.
- Sizing:
- Feels true to size
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Breathable
- Lightweight
Cons
- Poor Fit
Best Uses
Comments about REI Desert Gaiters:
This was my first attempt at using light weight gators for summer hiking and I was extremely excited when I purchased them. They were quality made, light weight, and breathable, all the qualities I was looking for. However, when I got them home and tried to put them on I realized that the top does not fit. Even when I slid the top down to the skinniest part of my ankle (I am an average sized guy) I could still barely snap the button at the top and they squeezed my ankle a lot. I am unable to use them without cutting off circulation in my feet. REI needs to make a bigger size.
- Sizing:
- Feels too small
Pros
- Breathable
- Lightweight
- Versatile
Cons
- Poor fit and finish
- Unnecessary parts
Best Uses
- HikingBackpacking
Comments about REI Desert Gaiters:
For years, I have been kicking dirt and rocks down the back of boots...Not anymore!! Usually, I am pulling my boots off every hour and dumping debris out of them; now, even after 9-10 hours hours of hiking, I am not nor am I dealing with untied shoe laces (added bonus). Also, the price is perfect, and I got them to work with a pair of Vibram Five Fingers as well ;).
However, these are the typical imported garbage when it comes to certain aspects of the product. Like many other reviewers have said, they run small and bunch up. Unlike other reviewers, I was able to make them work with my size 13 feet and big calves. The key was to muscle them a little and cinch them low about the sock just above the ankle. Sure it was bunched up like that, but it still kept the crud out of my boots. They need to make them more fit friendly to those with bigger feet and just retool the cut so they aren't so bunchy.
Just looking at them, I knew the laces weren't going to last and I immediately threw them out (extra weight if you are an ultrlighter anyways). After a 50 mile trip, they never ran up and still worked on both the boots and the VFFs. Rei can save a few cents, ditch the laces and the metal grommets (more weight).
Bottom line: They get 3 stars. They certainly could be improved massively to be a great product, but they do the job and that's the most important thing. So, if you want a lightweight, breathable, and fair priced gaiter for summer hiking, this is your ticket.
- Sizing:
- Feels too small
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Poor Fit
Best Uses
Comments about REI Desert Gaiters:
Picked these up for my Philmont adventure. Immediately realized they are waay too small. I am average guy, size 11 shoes, not a large ankle/calf. They were so small that I could barely get the velcro to connect. Not sure what REi is think here. perhaps these should be children's sizes :) Returned to store for refund and another brand.
- Sizing:
- Feels too small
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Breathable
- Lightweight
- Simple
Cons
- Lace grommet location
- LXL too small
- Needs snaps at both ends
- Poor Fit
Best Uses
Comments about REI Desert Gaiters:
I bought these to replace an order model where the REI label became gummy, and I made a mess of trying to remove the remainder. My older ones fit fine, but these would barely fit over the tops of my Keen Targhee II boots. I had to keep the gaiter less than an inch from the top and they frequently popped over even with the lacing under the boot. The lacing grommets are too close to the front, The hook will keep the front down, the back is where they tend to ride up.
I did like the front velcro as opposed a back entry, it's simpler when you aren't looking for the weather protection back entry offers. Even the top of the gaiter would barely go over my ankle with pants underneath. A snap up top would have helped take the stress off the velcro. The lace hook is opposite of every other pair of gaiters I have had in the past, not a major issue, and the under lace method is undoubtedly more secure (had I been able to get the hook down far enough)
I bought these mainly to keep debris out of my boots on steep slopes, and for protection from evil ticks.
With more reasonable sizing, moving the grommets back, and possibly a snap at the top these would be fantastic.
For the record my ankle circumference is 10" (bare nekkid) and the top of my boot is 15" while it would require about 18" to be at a usual gaiter placement.
- Sizing:
- Feels too small
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Images shared by toddfedak
REI desert gaiter L/XL on Keen Targhee II size 12
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Pros
- Breathable
- Lightweight
- Protects Bootlaces
Cons
- Design Flaws
- Wears Out Quickly
Best Uses
Comments about REI Desert Gaiters:
BACKSTORY: I am a field biologist working in chaparral/coastal sage scrub/deserts of southern California. Daily I spend several hours at work hiking, usually off trail, usually strenuous bushwacking.
I went into my local REI store this weekend looking for a solution to what has recently become the bane of my existence everyday at work, constantly having my shoelaces untied. While these absolutely did the trick and my laces were still tied at the end of the day with significantly less debris (not free, but pretty good) in my boots I found them performing less than awesome in other areas.
Within the first hour of day one with these, the REI logos completely came off of both gaiters in the pair, which is not something I am at all concerned with, but an anecdote to their construction and something that the marketers at corporate might care about. By the end of day 1, I had a few small holes in the gaitors where seed pods had pierced the fabric, a thread seam coming undone on the sides, and the "shoelaces" adhering them to the bottom of the boot had long come undone. Nooooooo!
its now day 3 and I have lost/misplaced both of those laces, but this hasn't been a problem for me yet in terms of having the gaitors "ride up" as the elastic along the bottom seems to be pretty tight and theres a hook to your bootlaces near your toes. I say good riddance to those laces, as they seem like they would've worn out and snapped pretty fast anyway on the bottom of my boots from grinding away at gravel, stone, and brush.
Another design flaw I see with these gaitors is the velcro closure system in the front. for me the material bunches up in the front (probably due to poor sizing/fit -too tight on my calves, see other commenters reviews-) causing the velcro strips to spread apart and open. I see problems happening with zippers too, so maybe a snap button system in addition to velcro would be better? REI design team, Don't forget to also work on replacing those laces with something more durable.
I think these would be fine for casual desert hikers, and that's probably who they were intended for, but definitely didn't work for me, so i will be taking them back this week.
- Sizing:
- Feels too small
Pros
- Breathable
- Good Fit
- Lightweight
Cons
- Wears Out Quickly
Best Uses
- Casual Wear
Comments about REI Desert Gaiters:
These gaiters are fine for light duty, but they don't hold up to bushwhacking. These gaiters wear out quickly in woods. The material tears easily in briars. The hook snags on briars. The cord breaks after a few trips.
If you want low gaiters that hold up and fit well, get the OR Bugout gaiters.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Breathable
- Durable
- Good Fit
- Lightweight
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Day-Hikes
- Long-Distance Hiking
- Multi-Day Backpacking
Comments about REI Desert Gaiters:
I was initially put off by these gaiters because of the way they look-- honestly, they look quite dorky. I bought them anyway, and proceeded to do a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail in them. One pair lasted the WHOLE WAY (not so with the five pairs of trail-runners I went through). At the end of the trail they had one small hole each (right down by the grommets where the stirrup attaches). Otherwise they were in great shape!
They keep everything out-- thorns, dirt, scree (I've always been picky about having foreign objects inside my shoes-- without gaiters I have to dump my shoes multiple times even on short day-hikes). These gaiters keep it all out, they're lightweight and breathable (nice for the blistering heat of southern Cali).
I wear a size 10.5 women's and used size Large gaiters-- didn't have any issues with the size (I do not wear hiking boots though-- only trail runners).
- Sizing:
- Feels true to size
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Breathable
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Waterproof
Cons
- Poor Fit
Best Uses
- Fitness
- Humid Weather
Comments about REI Desert Gaiters:
good product . however if it were2 inches longer then that would be best . thats not to say i am not happy with them. ive used them and i am very happy .
just a recommendation .
would i recommend them of-course. ive used them they are good.
- Sizing:
- Feels true to size
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-10
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