Outdoor Research

X-Gaiter

Lasted only 1 mile

purchased this a couple of months ago and finally used it today for a hike. I put them up when there was 6 inches on snow on the ground on top but when I took them off , one of them was torn and the other looks like it will in the next hike. I did not use them on rocks and some muddy sections and only one mile.

These are game changers

I bought these for shoe cover for fat biking. My feet tend to run cold and I like running SPD. I have shimano "winter" boots which I find work to about -8 c before windchill. The average ride time being about an hour. I bought these and put them away and rhen El Nino came and I thought they may never be used. Then it got cold. Reall cold. -40c cold. Truly. And I deployed these. And my feet are toasty warm. No more frozen feet, not even cold feet. Warm. They are awkward for walking around on. They look kind of funny. But who cares. Survival isn't a fashion show. I don't know about water proofing - water doesn't exist in liquid form at -40 As a cover to supplement your boots they are excellent. These are likely overkill in many situations but if you are using in snow and cold I highly doubt you will find a better product. Thank you OR.

well designed, xl very tight on 13 boot

Familiarity:

I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

Size Bought:

xl

Weight:

160

these are well designed and well made. The fact that the stood up to the yarding i had to do to get them on a pair of size 13 Danners is a testament to the ruggedness of the materials and stitching. I had originally hoped I could move them back and forth between boots for skiing, hiking, and perhaps biking but after the struggle of getting them on my hiking boots, they are staying put for the winter. It may be that they will stretch over time to make this easier. we shall see

Toasty Feet!

Last year out of the blue my feet started getting cold. I tried heated socks, but they're too finnicky. So I decided to give Outdoor Research X Gaiters a try. I've used them both ski touring and ice climbing and I am very happy. A few gripes. I got XL, which was hard to find, but the top closure isn't quite big enough for a muscly leg in ski boots, but it can be made to work. So far I have kept the bottom straps secure, but I'm not 100% happy with the toe bail of my crampons having a little slip of fabric between the crampon bail and the toe welt, so I might cut them where the diagram shows.

Looking forward to use in Winterpeg

I bought these to use on my winter hiking boots for hiking, snowshoeing, biking in temps well below freezing in the Winterpeg (Winnipeg) area. Temperatures go below -40 C/F but even at -20 C my feet get cold due to Raynauds. I have electric insoles that heat the toe area but managing the batteries/cables can be problematic. I am hoping the X-Gaiters are a simpler solution and keep my cold feet warm will repost about this. I ordered a size Large for my Solomon winter hiking boots (size 44 2/3 or US 10.5 with a 74 cm/23" rand circumference) or Scarpa Mistral GTX hiking boots (size 44 or US 10.5 with a 73 cm rand circ). The X-Gaiters fit these boots, with a struggle putting them on first time, but they should fit tight to trap the warmth. A hypalon strap on the bottom of the X-Gaiter it's toe down on the top of the boot's toe and there are lines for cutting the strap to customize the fit. I won't be cutting this strap as the X-Gatier fits the boot toe area okay and I think it is a good idea to leave it on so the toe area of the X-Gaiter does not ride up the boot. For boots with larger toes it may be suitable to cut this strap. The X-Gaiters are installed while the boot is off your foot. It would be difficult to put the X-Gaiters on to your boots while you have the boots on your feet. You open the X-Gaiter fasteners, put one down on your lap, insert the toe of the corresponding boot into the X-Gaiter toe area so the red silicone seal is on your boot rand, then place the X-Gaiter crossover bungee straps in the raised instep area of the boot sole, then pull the back of the X-Gaiter red silicone band up and over the back rand of the boot until it is at or above the top of the rand, forming a good seal. Then you cinch up the centre instep cord. Then put your boots on and close up the X-Gaiters. They could have: top velcro closure greater range for smaller calves; cordura exterior for crampon protection; a higher calf height/extendable sleeve for deep snow.

Worth the investment

Significantly increase the range of temperatures you can use your boots and shoes in! I use them ice climbing, skiing, and even mountain biking in the winter!

Really great on super cold days

Fits great over my AT ski boots for very cold days.

This for ski boots!

This is really needed in a ski boot compatible version

Does the job

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

Size Bought:

Large

Height:

5' 9"

Weight:

190

I bought these to use with my La Sportiva Nepal Cubes mountaineering boots on my trip to Alaska. I spent 10 days total at Matanuska Glacier with high camp on the snow close at Scandinavian Peaks (alt ~ 6000-9000 ft). Temps were not low enough to test them for that, but I assure you that these kept my feet pretty dry all the time. Other expeditioners that were with me without them had serious issues due to wet boots (you are kicking snow 24/7). I?m happy. I wish the tips would not slide up an inch or so after 4 hrs of using them.

Warm as advertised; could use a couple tweaks

If I could I'd give it 4.5 out of 5 stars, as these are *really* warm and just need a minor tweak or two. I've been using these "off label" with alpine touring boots for winter skiing, avalanche education, etc. Working as an instructor/guide I've put about 30 days on them so far. I need extra insulation as I have Raynaud's and these have kept my toes totally warm each day I've used them, down to single digits F. Very stoked. The little thumb loop to secure the side strap could be a bit bigger (to allow a gloved finger to fit) and a bit sturdier in the stitching (both of mine tore from the stitching, so I cut them off). The hook that secures the side strap is a bit too small. Consequently, any time I step into deep snow, the strap gets pulled off the hook when I pick my foot up out of the snow.