WANTED: Canvas gaiters

[bushbasherbrad]

Gday just wondering if anyone has any WE or sea to summit gaiters to sell or point me in the right direction on where to buy them
Cheers.

[tastrax]

http://www.wildequipment.com.au/gaiters ... cat=Canvas

good place to start

TASSIE TACKLE & OUTDOOR BURNIE 03 6431 6500
PASSION8 HOBART 03 6231 0777
THE JOLLY SWAGMAN HOBART 03 6234 3999
PADDY PALLIN LAUNCESTON 03 6331 4240

[pazzar]

Mountain Designs in Devonport stock STS Gaiters, Tassie Tackle in Burnie also stock them.

[Ent]

Hi

Check out the thread on gaiters before committing as there are a few versions of both WE and S2S (within the same model) with in the case of S2S the newer ones being a better proposition while in WE case the older ones are better (at the moment). With S2S check if the front velcro is double stitched along with the protective scuff pads. This is the latest upgrade made to improve longevity. With WE the newer models feature a S type system to secure the shock cord and the single stitching is almost certain to fail. The older WE model uses simple nylon lugs that are much better for long life but rely on your knot typing ability but can take the old standby of PVC coated heavy duty single core electrical cable. Basically one strand (Active, Netural, Earth so chose what colour you like ) of standard heavy duty 20 amp housing cable. Shock cord does however give a neater fit on the boot and a "give" point if you hook the gaiter on something.

Also keep an eye out for the revised designs as both WE and S2S from feedback on this site (their gaiters copped a pasting) have been refining and reworking their models and are very serious on improving their gaiters. Also One Planet is back in the market with an Australian made gaiter that follows the principle that a simple design is better for rougher conditions. In general there is a serious push by at least these three Australian companies to nail down a Tassie resistant gaiter. Personal experience has found both WE and S2S stand by their warranty and based on what I have experienced with One Planet I would bet the provable London brick that they would do the same. All three are excellent companies to deal with when things do not work out for you. I would chose between those three brands though there is another Australian made gaiter that's name alludes me but I have only found it made out of nylon. It is stocked by the Launceston Scout shop and looks like a good design as well.

As for other brands check out various post on this site and you might find that brand name is not a guarantee to long life with one brand lasting less than an hour in the real world. Also some have a very novel concept of warranty claims blaming "abuse" from use as a reason to avoid fixing issues. Err? are not gaiters and otehr bushwalking gear designed for the bush? This doubly sad as older models made back when bushwalkers controlled the design they had a reputation of standing uop to years of hard use and occassional abuse.

Glad you are getting canvas ones as nylon ones might be tough enough but tend to be very sweaty. As for ideal designs, one person's love is another person's hate so pick what suits you and your type of footwear and walking style. I am engaged in a lively debate with a walking partner over shock cord versus other understap designs and it is likely never to be resolved as what works from him does not appear to work well for me so he is wrong and I am right or is it the other way round

Cheers Brett

[whiskeylover]

Can you still find the Tatonka ones anywhere? I have had mine for over ten years and apart from regular washing and cleaning out the press studs of mud from time to time I have had no problems with them. They are the design with lace hook on the front, shock cord around the top, velcro and three press studs up the back. I took the underboot strap off the first time I wore them and have never found it necessary as they rarely ride up even with extended walking through squelchy deep mud. Maybe eventually the stitching will rot, but more likely if you store them damp. They have had a lot of hard use, so I would be interested to know if they are still available as they are the ones I would recommend and/or buy again if I ever need to replace them.

[ILUVSWTAS]

If you DO find any be sure to let us know!! I have not seen any of these since my college days 15 years ago.

I suspect no-one makes decent gaiters anymore as they get much more sales by making ones with a shorter life expectancy.

[whiskeylover]

It could be 15-20 years, I can't remember when I bought them - maybe around the same time as my first pair of boots, so they are OLD. I haven't seen anyone else in them for a long time. I think I did have to replace the shock cord on one when they cut it off after I broke my leg up Mother Cummings Peak.

[Nuts]

http://www.outdoorsurvival.com.au/catal ... .php/1/252

though they are nylon gaiters... and similar designs seem to be available from many manufacturers (eg sea to summit)

[ILUVSWTAS]

Yeh Nylon might not be the best when it comes to a good ol scrub bash!
That's the design though!!

[whiskeylover]

Similar, but mine do up at the back and the gathered bit is more mid calf. Actually I beg to differ on the durability factor. Nylon has excellent abrasion resistance, and is light and durable, hence it's use in many applications, both military and otherwise. For instance, seatbelts are made of nylon. Canvas, although also useful, is made of cotton, is more prone to rot if continuously wet and once torn may continue to tear. It is also heavier. Actually truth is, I didn't realise mine were 100% nylon til now, but it is definitely durable - ask anyone who has spent many years walking through scoparia, horizontal and alpine heath in Tas.

[ILUVSWTAS]

- ask anyone who has spent many years walking through scoparia, horizontal and alpine heath in Tas.

Not that i've used Nylon, but thats me you've just described..... Canvas is good, but gets a bit warm. Goretex is better for breathing, but probably doesnt last as long as Canvas

[ollster]

Gday just wondering if anyone has any WE or sea to summit gaiters to sell or point me in the right direction on where to buy them
Cheers.

Macpac have theirs on sale at the moment:
http://www.macpac.com.au/shop/en_au/gea ... itors.html

Bear in mind they don't come with undershoe straps, so factor in a bit of heavy duty electricians' wire.

[juney]

-

Canvas is good, but gets a bit warm. Goretex is better for breathing, but probably doesnt last as long as Canvas

I would disagree on this one. I reckon canvas breathes better. I use canvas in QLD where snake bite and heat and humidity are the main factors, and goretex in Tassie where rain, mud and cold are my main concerrns.
Cheers,
Juney

[ILUVSWTAS]

Interesting. I Still find it hard to believe that Nylon would be strong enough for some of the classic scunge found when off track walking, And I still prefer goretex to canvas. Have been through 3 or 4 pairs of each in the last 2 years and find the goretex much more comfortable.

[Paul]

I agree with "Whiskylover" -I have had a pair of Tatonka gaiters for many many years. Anything that can survive The Cannibal -RUN ! plus Port Davey to Cape Sorrell just to name a few - proves that they are extremely durable. Still going strong after just some minor stitching repairs.

Paul.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Where do you get these wonderful gaiters from??

[Paul]

I purchased mine from Allgoods, here in Launceston - but it was many many years ago. Not sure if you can still buy them !

Paul

[ILUVSWTAS]

Thanks. I will keep an eye out. If I can find a pair of gaiters that lasts longer than 3-4 months i'd be wrapped!!

Is there an Allgoods in Hobart anyone???

[Nuts]

http://www.outdoorsurvival.com.au/retai ... .php/1/1/4

i have an old pair somewhere, if i can find em you can havem!
dont know how you see where the current model opens w/lover? (and from memory my old pair looked to have the elastic very much like those ie snug above the ankle/sockline...)

[bluewombat]

Is there an Allgoods in Hobart anyone???

93 Harrington Street
bw

[pazzar]

Is there an Allgoods in Hobart anyone???

Allgoods on Harrington St sell bugger all as far as gear goes. You would have to go to the Cambridge store. Harrington St is all clothing.

[Nuts]

cough...

http://www.outdoorsurvival.com.au/retai ... .php/1/1/4

[Ent]

Hi All

A little clarification is required on nylon and canvas gaiters. I would hazard to say that for WE, S2S, One Planet just to name a few use a material that is canvas spun with nylon rather than pure canvas. Basically the same material as used on their solid packs. This gives greater strength compared to straight canvas. One major advantage of canvas is it swells to close up the gap between the weave when wet while nylon can not do this so relies on a coating to become waterproof. Now canvas (both straight and woven with nylon) breaths through the weave while a coated nylon is the same as wearing a plastic bag. A straight weave nylon would breath but not be very water resistant. In all canvas woven with nylon is the best compromise material but even then it is often reinforced with straight nylon at the lower levels that cover the boot much the same as canvas packs have nylon reinforcing in high wear areas such as the bottom of the pack.

I have seen the effect of a coated nylon gaiters and the user quickly brought canvas gaiters to replace them as they were sweat traps. However, if the nylon is not coated then the gaiter would breath ok, just not be particularly waterproof. I suppose most wear gaiters to protect the legs and clothing from abrasion rather than attempting a wader type purpose. Though a snug fitting gaiter does give the ability to splash though some water hazards with out water coming over the top of the boot. The best designs appear to be canvas spun with nylon upper and heavy nylon lower to resist abrasion or even a tougher material. The next critical issue is construction quality with stitching being particularly troublesome with some brands. More than one brand is now double stitching seams and joins, while in the past this was considered not necessary so I do wonder if the stitching yarn has fallen victim to cut cutting by stealth and this has caught more than one manufacturer off guard.

Anyway as mentioned even within the same brand and model there are different versions so hunt around for the revised models such as the S2S Quagmire that is now double stitched. I look forward to hearing reports in One Planet's return to the gaiter market. Also why is there a love affair with rear closing gaiters compared to front closing? Personally I have found the front closing gaiter with stiffeners at the front great for protecting shins but more than a few have stated a passion for rear closing gaiters. Please enlighten me to the merits of such a system.

Cheers Brett

[Son of a Beach]

I prefer my diagonal side-closing gaiter, myself. Water can't get in that way.

[Nuts]

there were gaiters that didnt have an opening (besides top and bottom...of course) they were just bigger with 'gathering' straps. Dont recall the brand, never tried them but do remember someone singing their praise.

[blacksheep]

brett, you might want to check up on canvas composition.

also, why does a PU coated gaiter feel like a plastic bag, when a pu coated jacket (like Gore-Tex) not.

(post edited by admin)

[Buddy]

God forbid that we ever get sweaty ankles!! Of all the problems that I ever thought could befall me when walking....sweaty ankles was not at the top of the list. Maybe I need to refocus on minutiae? Nah!I'll just get over it.

[Ent]

brett, you might want to check up on canvas composition.

also, why does a PU coated gaiter feel like a plastic bag, when a pu coated jacket (like Gore-Tex) not.

(post edited by admin)

Hi Blacksheep

Canvas composites I assume is the material such as the Aztec fabric used in certain packs? If I understand the marketing blah some mix the nylon thread with the canvas and others wrap the canvas threads around a nylon core but the effect is much the same, a tougher fabric with the ability to swell and close the weave hence a water resistent pack material that also has the ability to self repair from microsopic holes caused by our much love Alpine prickly plant. One thing is certain, the material used in the One Planet packs is near as possible to being indestructible have back surfed down rocky slopes on my pack on more than a few occassions with no ill effect on the pack.

As for PU, I deliberately avoided using that term as it is one that appears to have not clear definition re breathability, at least as I understand it. If a material has a layer or coating that is fully sealed from air flow then sweat builds up much the same as in cheap PVC rain gear and that effect is not pleasent, still many people are happy with such rain gear so save heaps by putting up with that, their choice not mine. My father's pet love is billy tea and stale bread with dripping spread on it but you will not catch me "enjoying" this bush tucker Walk in a good breathing coat, pants and gaiters and life is so much more comfortable. Bit like Icebreaker undergarments compared to the the old wool bush tops. Both will keep you warm even after you fall into a creek but one is so much more comfortable though the old bush top is about as indestrutible as you could wish. As for nylon gaiters I arrived with trouser legs looking quite dry while my companion's were soaked. I noticed next walk he had brought canvas ones with no "enouragement" from me.

As for your comments on PU and Gore-tex, Gore-tex allows air and water in the form of steam to exit so I assume that the PU coating does not act as a PVC rain gear so there must be some trick. S2S Quagmires had a version made out of Gore-tex and they had a loyal following, even though they were dearer than the Canvas version, so I assume wearers saw some benefit behind the higher price.

Cheers Brett

[blacksheep]

brett.
1. you still haven't checked your facts about canvas. you are still incorrect.
2. Pu is Pu is Pu. water vapour condenses when it encounters it rather than pass right through it. Be it Gaiter of jacket. If you don't want a wet system, avoid PU.
PVC is not PU, it is PVC.
3. Steam? My body has never made enough heat for Gore-tex to work- that explains it then.

[sthughes]

brett.
1. you still haven't checked your facts about canvas. you are still incorrect.
2. Pu is Pu is Pu. water vapour condenses when it encounters it rather than pass right through it. Be it Gaiter of jacket. If you don't want a wet system, avoid PU.
PVC is not PU, it is PVC.
3. Steam? My body has never made enough heat for Gore-tex to work- that explains it then.

1. Yes Cam most are a Polyester and cottom mix, not nylon. That wasn't so hard to just say.
2. I may be wrong but I imagine the PU coating on say a Macpac tent floor is a tad thicker than that on a Gore-tex rain coat. Hence the greater 'breathability" of the Gore-tex? No PU is not PVC but point being a thick PU breathes like PVC so they may as well be the same for the sake of the argument?
3.

steam
–noun
1.
water in the form of an invisible gas or vapor.

My body gives off water in the form of invisable vapour.

So i tink that makes it:
Cam 2
Brett 1
for this round. Lets move on.

I had nylon gaiters, they made me sweat like mad and while that's not the end of the world, for most of us it's still preferrable to be dry isn't it? After the PU largley came off they wetted out and tended to collapse to my ankles all the time, but I sweated less that way