One of the only new items to make it onto my gear list was a pair of Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters. I spent a lot of time researching best models, dimensions, weights, and reviews. Because I wear some pricey boots (Salomon 4D GTX Cosmics) and extremely minimalist pants (Target C9’s), the gaiters will offer protection to both the costly investment of my boots and the vulnerable nature of my pants, shins, and skin. Also, it’s not a likelihood or even a probability that we’ll be logging miles in the snow during the upcoming MT bear hunt – it’s a guarantee. Keeping that moisture at bay will definitely be in my best interest.
Heavy morning dew in a high country meadow during September is also particularly aggravating, and soaked feet might also be avoided using the gaiters. Once the landscape is dried out, I imagine that I would lash them inside my backpack.
Here’s a couple links to REI and Campmor. The reviews are overwhelmingly favorable and the picture is actually snagged off one of the posted reviews from a National Parks volunteer.
I’ll be taking a 9 ounce hit on the pack weight, but I think it will be justified. After all, most people are adding a set of Wiggy’s Waders to their spring bear hunting packs to aid in crossing streams and creeks. I’m going to opt for the “take boots off and roll pants up” approach. I did this throughout Ohio’s deer season this year and I’ve decided it takes all the potentially disastrous variables out of the equation – e.g., “that water was a bit deeper than I thought it was!”