MSR Climbing

Types of gaiters

• Hiking: lightweight, breathable; offer basic protection against rocks, grit and light rain or snow
• Mountaineering: heavy-duty protection, added insulation for harsher conditions, often waterproof/breathable
• Trail running: lightweight and compact to keep out debris, not usually waterproof

Gaiter height

• Over-ankle: best for dry conditions, trail-running, summer hiking
• Mid-calf: 8–12 inches tall, often water resistant but best for dry or moderately wet conditions

• Knee: 15–18 inches tall, best for deep snow, wet brush, harsh or rugged conditions

What size gaiter to buy? (U.S. sizes)

• Small: women's 6.5–8.5, men's 5–7
• Medium: women's 7.5–10.5, men's 6–9
• Large: women's 9.5–10.5, men's 8–11
• Extra large: men's 10–13

What is an avalanche transceiver?

• If you recreate in snowy backcountry terrain, an avalanche transceiver is an essential safety device—along with a probe and shovel
• Transceivers help you locate someone buried in an avalanche and it helps rescuers find you if you’re buried

What features should I look for?

• Analog or digital: Most modern transceivers are digital; some are both digital and analog
• Multiple burials: Allows searchers to detect more than one buried person; most offer this feature
• Marking function: Lets a searcher to mark the location of a buried person so they can search for another one
• Display screen: Displays direction and distance to a buried person
• Range: Listed in meters (typically 40-70m), the circular range at which one transceiver can detect another