Outdoor Research

Expedition Crocodile Gaiter

Order a size smaller than other gaiters

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

Size Bought:

large

I really would like to give these 4 1/2 stars because of a couple minor things. The little flap that folds over the bottom of the closure on the top of the arch of your foot, the velcro is glued to the backing fabric on, and both of mine the velcro came unglued in the first two weeks. Annoying but I reglued them myself and it was fine. Also I much preferred the strap and buckle type closure on the tightener strap at the top of the gaiter that goes around your calf, that the older gaiters had, compared to the new velcro closure strap. I've owned a couple of pairs of the regular Crocodile gaiters and wore them out, I would rip the upper half of them it seemed like almost immediately and have to sew them up, the Expedition gaiters have a much stouter material on the inner half of the uppers, same material that is on the lower half. Personally I would like to see the whole gaiter made with this heavier, stiffer material, but still they are much stouter than any other gaiter I have seen or used. I've had these gaiters for thee months now, wearing them six days a week and they have held up well, still look like new. But as the title says, order at least one size smaller than you wear in the regular Crocodile gaiters, I did not and these are larger than I like, fitting loosely and not snug around my boot and leg like I prefer. They are stiff enough to stay up however and not sag like many brands of gaiters. This is a fairly common issue across different brands of gaiters, I have no idea why at least dealing with an individual brand they don't make the sizes on the different models of gaiters the same dimensions, but they don't. Unfortunately OR also does not give dimensions for their sizes either, their size chart just lists what size gaiter for what shoe size you wear. A chart with the width of the gaiter at top, middle and bottom would be very helpful, then you could measure the circumference of your leg while wearing your boots and pants and order the correct size much more accurately. Otherwise the gaiters are built well out of tough, hard wearing material with a great strap that goes under your foot with a tough, slick coating that holds up and snow does not build up on. If the right size is ordered they will fit your leg snugly, not loose and baggy like some brands, and the wide, heavy velcro closure up the front works great and won't come open like the inferior closures on some gaiters.

This is my first pair of gaiters, and I wish I had discovered them years ago. This is the goto gaiter for snowmakers at the ski area I work at. The size large Outdoor Research Expedition Crocodile Gaiter fit great with my size 9.5UK (10.5US) Scarpa Inverno double shell boots, and with size 10EE Danner Light hiking boots. Besides work on the mountain I grab them to walk the dog or shovel throughout the winter. They’re super handy when you don’t want to put on snow pants but also don’t want to get your regular pants wet in the snow. My only complaint is the velcro on the locking tab at bottom of the gaiter (by the toe of the boot) has separated from its backing on one of my gaiters. This seems to be a common issue, and this tab isn’t found on the military version of this gaiter. It hasn’t effected the functionality of the gaiter, so I’d just call it annoying.

sturdy but terrible/inconsistent sizing

Familiarity:

I returned this product before using it

Size Bought:

XL

Height:

6' 2"

Weight:

165

The gaiters are made out of thick material that should hold up better to crampons and snowshoes in deep snow and steep terrain. The major problem is that their sizing is completely off. For size 11 boots OR recommends either L or XL gaiters, the larger size for bulkier boots like my Scarpa Manta Tech GTX. But XL is way too big for both my boot and around my calf. The velcro strap is too long to cinch the gaiter and keep it from sliding down, making the XL is unusable for me. The size of these gaiters also doesn't correspond to other OR gaiters. I got these to replace my older OR size L gaiters, too small for my new Scarpas, but the XL is two sizes too big. I bought these online because the local Backcountry store in Boulder, CO doesn't carry them, and because I trusted the OR sizing chart and had other OR gaiters in the past. I had missed that Backcountry doesn't accept returns or exchanges of final sale items, which these were on. Fortunately, the local store made an exception and refunded my purchase. But how is one supposed to make sure that a product will fit if a retailer only sells it online and won't take it back when it doesn't? It seems like a bad policy on Backcountry's part for poorly and inconsistently sized products.

The medium ran large

Size Bought:

M

Height:

5' 4"

Weight:

130

When I ordered these gaiters, I didn't realize that they were a final sale :-( and found that they were too big for my calves ... they are pretty and seem to be a nice quality product, but I can't use them.

Great Product

The quality is very good. I was skeptical of all the velcro but it has been working really well so far. I have been using them daily the last few weeks for snowshoeing. I have large calves but the top is still a little big and when I am in deep snow the snow goes inside. I ordered the medium size.

Perfect for back country hiking

Waterproof, keep my legs protected from briars and prickles, a must have for search and rescue

Not sure who this is for?

Tried in with my ski touring boots and Mountaineering B2 boots and the gaiters just fall down. Velcro does not cinch down enough around calf to stay up and feels very cheap vs thier old cam lock system. I have athletic legs BTW, not toothpick. I'll try a different brand until OR adds the cam locks back or some other better system. Too many bad reviews on the buckles busting for me to repy on them in the extreme alpine

Great delivery!

Ordered this just a couple of days ago. Standard shipping. It's already here! Most other vendors woukd take at least twice as long. Sincerely impressed!

Great gaiters

The gaiters were easy to put on. Had no issues with them hiking all day in 12 to 15" of snow.

Great!

Works great for bushwacking in the high rockies for elk hunting! No more grasses seeds or snow in my boots or nice wool socks!