By: Blonde Two
There is one essential part of Dartmoor walking kit that I have heard ridiculed by walkers from other areas of the UK. These naysayers obviously haven’t walked on Dartmoor in the winter. They (not the walkers) aren’t glamorous, they aren’t pretty and you can’t wear them anywhere else but a good pair of gaiters can make a real difference to the comfort of your Dartmoor mission.
Let me expound, for a moment, the virtues of these interesting garments; for a start, wearing a pair of gaiters is the only acceptable way of making sure that your walking boots don’t finish the day filled with a gooey mix of peat, cow muck and water. Wellies will do the same but there is no point having dry feet if you have broken your ankle because it was not properly supported. Gaiters also make a huge difference to how warm you are, they stop that nasty whistle of wind up your trouser legs and provide an extra windproof layer up to your knees. The most important thing about gaiters though, as any washer of outdoor gear will tell you, is that they keep your trousers clean – after all, nobody likes a dirty bottom!
I was recommending, the other day, that our Ten Tors youngsters consider a pair of gaiters for their next “kit” purchase when one of them asked me a tricky question. The answer to this question is one of the few things that Blonde One and I do not agree on (as I type, I can only think of two and the other one is to do with map folding). The question was, “Do you wear your gaiters underneath your waterproof trousers or on top of them.” I learnt a long time ago that the answer to such tricky questions is never, “I don’t know.” but should always be, “It is up to you.” That way, you can blame the person concerned for making a mistake should an expert appear out of nowhere.
We Blondes have only just realised that we do this differently. Blonde One is an “Inny” and dons her gaiters before putting her waterproofs on. I, it would appear, am an “Outy” and prefer to fasten my gaiters safely over the top of my waterproofs. Having now questioned myself on the reasons for my choice, I am unsure as to what they are. I have a sneaking suspicion that the answer might be that I think they look more attractive that way. This is not only very vain of me, it is also delusional as clearly, any odd waterproofing strapped around your lower legs is not likely to enhance the shape of them.
We were having a friendly Blonde debate about the issue the other night as we disrobed in the dark by the car. I have to admit to coming close to telling Blonde One that she was right when, after carefully packing my rucksack up, I turned to walk round the car and very nearly fell flat on my face. My waterproof trousers, trapped by the gaiters on top of them, were still around my ankles. Don’t tell her, but maybe she was right after all!
If you wear shorts all year round (like I do) then the gaiter question never comes up! It’s much easier to wash mud off legs than gaiters or trousers. If it rains I have a small pair of ankle gaiters that just cover the tops of my socks to stop my feet getting wet. And shorts are deliciously liberating even in snow! Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it!
I was having this conversation with my dad the other night. He has requested new waterproofs for Chimbo having trashed his last pair with crampons. He said when wearing crampons (so often a need for on Dartmoor obviously!!!!!!) he should’ve worn gaiters over the waterproofs to protect them from evil spikes. However at all other times gaiters should be worn underneath. Not only does this allow for the easy removal of waterproofs when the sun decides to come out but it stops the rain from running down the waterproofs, sneaking in between the gaiter and waterproof and still ending up in the boot! I hate wearing gaiters any which way but do own two pairs and will come out in wet wet conditions (think they might be coming out over Christmas!!!!!) and usually end up under the waterproofs!!!!!!
Gaiters aren’t just for walkers!! Us offshore sailors can’t live without them. Oh and waterproof socks…oh and head torches with red light….
Sailing is a lot like walking then? Only not so many hills maybe.
Both can be wet and cold but walking on dartmoor is a lot lot easier! Walkers never get covered (or swollow diesel), less bruises or knocks to the head and the ground doesn’t move oh and no shouting and swearing, oh and no crashing into other walkers.
On a less positive note, walkers don’t have seem to have wild parties, dancing on tables, champagne, arm wrestling, or hot guys. Unless I’m walking the wrong bits of the moor – do shout…
Many similarities many differences!