An uncool essential

Montane Endurance Pro Gaiters £55

Nobody gets excited about gaiters. They’re probably the most boring piece of outdoor clothing and

I know plenty of people who hate wearing them.

I don’t. I think they’re great. Take these Montane gaiters, for example. Featuring Gore-Tex Pro 70D fabric they’re light, tough, and offer great lower-leg coverage (although just writing that last sentence made me yawn). Once they’re strapped onto my boots, I feel a sense of invulnerability in bogs, loose scree, snow, and rough, tick-infested heather that only a well-sealed gaiter can offer. And the hook-and-loop strip plus popper combination ensures these are well-sealed, although I have some concerns over the longevity of the strap and buckle arrangement that goes under the boot; if they break there doesn’t appear to be an easy way of replacing them. But, so far, there are no signs of that happening, so perhaps my concerns are misplaced. Long live the gaiter (I hope).

Verdict

Dedicated followers of fashion may be aghast, but rough ground walkers (particularly off-path wanderers) will get the benefits.

USED BY Ben Weeks, Trail senior writer USED FOR One year