Reviews of Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain High Gaiters

Simple and lightweight, yet they do the job. The Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain High gaiters are the perfect choice for hikers, backpackers and cross-country skiers. Coated-nylon lower section covers top of boots and provides water resistance, while uncoated upper section allows... read more about Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain High Gaiters

Average Rating

3.7 15

$40.00

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Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain High Gaiters

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By kraft1987

from Minneapolis, MN

About Me Competitive Athlete, Rugged Outdoorsman

1/24/2013

Works as expected

5.0

PROS

Stay In Place
Easy To Use
Rugged
Water Resistant
Good Fit
Lightweight

CONS

BEST USES

Cold Weather
Snow Sports
Backcountry
Leg/Ankle Protection

Comments:

The OR Rocky Mountain High Gaiters worked very well for me in snow that was about a foot deep. I used these for a couple of weeks and then the snow melted, so I haven't used them extensively. I never got any snow inside of them while I was hiking or skiing off trail. I made sure to try them on with the desired shoes/boots I would be wearing, and they fit snug, which is necessary for gaiters (I bought large and wear a size 11 shoe/boot). I haven't had any problems with them, but have really only tested them four times.

By tsuga

from SW Washington

About Me Serious Trekker, Professional

5/13/2012

(1 of 1 customer found this review helpful)

Worthy for what they are meant for.

4.0

PROS

Lightweight
Tall
Easy To Use
Breathable
Water Resistant
Rugged

CONS

BEST USES

Leg/Ankle Protection
Backcountry
Snow Sports

Comments:

This is my 3rd field season using the Cascadia gaiter. Why I use this rather than other gaiters is (1) because it is tall (taller than the OR verglas , and the former REI trail gaiter), (2) lightweight, and (3) if cinched down hard enough, it stays in place (I am tall and skinny without robust calve muscles). They are about as breatheable as they are water resistant. So this is good or bad depending on what you want to use them for. I can get away with using these in wet brush in the Pacfic Northwest without getting my lower pant leg to wet(but they do eventually wet through with enough exposure). Where your rain pants if it is trully wet out, or a different gaiter.) They are nice and light feeling and do provide a "leg-fortress" when traveling cross country in the brush. Some negatives would include the under foot strap, which is set back further than both my Crocs and the Vergalss gaiters. You have to make sure and pull it tight to get it across the arch or the boot, otherwise it makes it's way on to the heel. Another caveat might be the width at the top gaiter. I have read other reviews on different gear sites complaining that the top would not accomadate their calve muscle and not buckle or stay buckled. This is not a problem for me but I could see it happening if you are well gifted with the calve muscles. Over all they can take abuse, are well balanced with breathability and water resistance, and nice and lightweight. I bush whack 4-5 days a week with them for 6 months out of the year. They are comfortable on both the west(wet and cool) and east (warm and dry) sides of the cascades. Cheers.

By Clicker

from Cincinnati, OH

1/06/2012

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

Fit was too small

1.0

PROS

Easy To Use

CONS

Poor Fit

BEST USES

Comments:

I purchased these in size XL as replacement for my existing O/R Gaitors, which are also XL. They did not fit around my calves to allow me to close the velcro - but my old ones fit fine. I compared the new ones to the old ones and found that they were not as large by ~.75 inches. I had to return them for a refund and will need to consider another brand because that is as large as they are made from O/R.

By T-Delta

from Western Slope, Colorado

About Me Casual/Recreational

12/05/2011

Too small

3.0

PROS

CONS

Poor Fit

BEST USES

Snow Sports

Comments:

Medium described as mens 6-9 boot size. Almost unable to put on a size 9 boot. Ironically, the height seemed too generous, any longer and it would have been on my knee.

By BackcountryBumming

from Everywhere, Planet Earth

About Me Rugged Outdoorsman, Serious Trekker

11/22/2011

(1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

Not good quality!

1.0

PROS

CONS

Does Not Stay In Place
Poor Design
Poor Performance
Poor quality
Not Breathable

BEST USES

Comments:

My girlfriend and I both purchased these before going to New Zealand, mainly because of the affordable price, respectable company, and good reviews. Almost instantly after using them on a trail, I noticed that the strap that fits under my Merell boots would not stay under the arch, but kept slipping to the back underneath the heel. I was annoyed at first, but after trying to adjust them multiple times, nothing helped. They didn't seem to bother the way I hiked, so I left them that way. After only using them for about 4 days total, the strap underneath completely broke. Also, during a really rainy hike, they still got my socks wet due to the lack of breathability. I have never owned any other gaiters before, so I don't know how good they actually work, but I was hoping they would be better than this!

By jsnsong

from fullerton, CA

About Me Casual/Recreational

2/21/2011

very satisfied

5.0

PROS

Rugged
Lightweight
Easy To Use
Good Fit
Stay In Place
Water Resistant
Breathable

CONS

BEST USES

Backcountry
Cold Weather
Snow Sports

Comments:

these gaiters worked perfectly during a winter backpacking trip that saw 2 ft of snow fall my first night out. spent the trip snowshoeing through knee deep powder and could not be more satisfied with the performance of this product. was considering buying the crocs or verglas but my budget forced me to buy the rockies. i am so glad i ran short of cash and got these. would buy them again.

By Uphill Harry

from St. Paul, MN

12/28/2010

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

Very Satisfied Summer and Winter

5.0

PROS

Rugged
Good Fit
Stay In Place
Breathable

CONS

BEST USES

Snow Sports
Backcountry

Comments:

I have used these hiking in the summer, including a week on the West Coast Trail BC, and many winter snowshoeing hikes, some in very heavy snow. The gaiters worked flawlessly. I find them very easy to put on and take off. And unlike other reviewers, I have never had them slip down. The clamp thing that holds the top strap holds very tight. I do have to move some of the fabric away from it to get it tight to begin with when I clamp it. These gaiters have been very comfortable against my bare legs and fit over my insulated winter hiking tights plus wind pants with no trouble. They might not fit well over heavy snow pants. I have never tried that, but anything that big would be baggy for summer use.

By Scott Bruce

from Whitehall, WI

About Me Casual/Recreational

12/23/2010

Quality, but...

4.0

PROS

Stay In Place
Lightweight
Easy To Use
Good Fit
Water Resistant

CONS

Not as good as Crocs

BEST USES

Backcountry
Leg/Ankle Protection
Snow Sports
Rocky Terrain
Wet Weather
Cold Weather

Comments:

Have had these for several years and used them for climbing, backpacking, hiking, and winter outdoor activities (hunting, skiing, etc.). They are great for hiking/backpacking. I would highly recommend spending the extra cash on the OR Crocodile gaiters for heavy mountain use, especially with crampons!

By pancakebetty

from Chico, Ca

12/22/2010

Kept out the thorns, mud and sand

3.0

PROS

Good Fit
Rugged
Easy To Use
Breathable
Lightweight

CONS

Does Not Stay In Place

BEST USES

Backcountry
Leg/Ankle Protection
Rocky Terrain

Comments:

I wore these OR gaiters while backpacking for about 11 days in the Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument this past November. The gaiters were easy to put on an off, even with gloves on. They felt fine on bare skin, my legs did not over-heat and they actually kept my legs warm while hiking in the freezing cold. The area we backpacked through was the desert/canyon area of Utah, which meant that there was at lot of sand, cacti, all sorts of prickly plants, and the infuriating Russian olive. They did their job of protecting my legs, my pants, and my socks. I would recommend these gaiters if your intention is to keep out thorns and sand, and if you are staying in a dry environment. I wouldn't recommend these if you are going to do numerous river crossings and expect these to keep your legs or boots dry. (Don't think that's really their intended purpose anyway as they are not water-proof.) While the elastic at the bottom does a find job at fitting the boots, the top does not stay secure. I wish they had used a draw string like I had seen on other gaiters instead of that webbing cinching mechanism. Water got in the top when I would cross. Sometimes the top would come undone and slide a bit down my leg. Come to think of it, if you have no problem with waiting a bit to dry then these would be fine for river crossings. They did a fine job of keeping the mud out when we reached the silty, quicksand filled river banks. Most of the water that entered found their way out by the time we reached our new campsite within a few hours hike.

By jag115

from Pittsburgh, PA

About Me Backpacker

6/27/2010

Key item in winter conditions

3.0

PROS

Lightweight
Easy To Use
Rugged
Water Resistant

CONS

Poor Design
Does Not Stay In Place

BEST USES

Leg/Ankle Protection
Snow Sports
Cold Weather
Backcountry

Comments:

The only drawback to this product was the cinch strap at the top. It seems as though it wasn't enough of a choke on the leg to keep it from falling down. Would have rather seen a draw string. Otherwise in four feet of snow they proved to be a life saver for my feet and legs. Very compact and easy to put on when out in the woods. Over time the strap on the bottom begins to fray.

By Muskrat Love

from Austin, Texas

About Me Casual/Recreational

5/20/2010

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

Effective gaiters

5.0

PROS

Lightweight
Good Fit
Water Resistant
Rugged
Easy To Use
Stay In Place

CONS

BEST USES

Backcountry
Wet Weather
Leg/Ankle Protection
Rocky Terrain

Comments:

For my first pair of gaiters, I have no complaints with these. I used them both over pants and on my bare leg and they worked great. They stayed up and did so comfortably. We had some pretty muddy conditions on our 4 day trek as well as a few areas where the trail narrowed and we went through some thick brush. They worked as advertised keeping out the muck and protecting my legs. Several on the trek with me said "nice call" on the gaiters. I'm very pleased.

By Judith, tropical hiker

from Barbados, West Indies

About Me Rugged Outdoorsman, Casual/Recreational

9/22/2009

(6 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

Hiking in the tropics

4.0

PROS

Lightweight
Good Fit
Breathable
Easy To Use
Rugged
Water Resistant
Stay In Place

CONS

BEST USES

Comments:

The top adjustable strap, when drawn tight, has no "keeper" to hold the extra length, which subsequently tends to flap around. The extra velcro tab at the ankle which keeps the velcro fastener closed is an excellent addition. These gaiters are excellent for use in the long wet grass and bush so abundant in the rainy season in the tropics. In addition they prevent grass seeds, mud, etc from getting into ones boots. which is a problem with the usual high wellington boots.

By nwskiscubahiker

from Mill Creek, WA

About Me Serious Trekker, Casual/Recreational

9/11/2009

(12 of 13 customers found this review helpful)

First time was a charm

5.0

PROS

Easy To Use
Lightweight
Rugged
Good Fit
Stay In Place
Water Resistant

CONS

BEST USES

Wet Weather
Leg/Ankle Protection
Backcountry
Snow Sports

Comments:

My first pair of gaiters, so I might be a little naive.... But I love these! I wore them backpacking in the Olympics (Mtn range in WA) last weekend and they were awesome. I wore them with shorts on and they were really comfortable against my bare skin. They stay in place excellently. I hate to wear pants when backpacking because I get too hot, especially when hitting extending switchbacks. These are the perfect solution. Shorts to keep you cool but these full length gaiters to protect the lower legs and boots from rain, dirt, rocks, etc. It POURED rain on us and these still prevented the water from pouring down my leg and into my boots. My feet were completely dry after a 4 hour slog to the campsite.

By dropsam

from Newcastle, CA

About Me Avid Adventurer

8/03/2009

(4 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

so far so good

4.0

PROS

Comfortable
Lightweight
Easy to use

CONS

BEST USES

Snow Sports

Comments:

So far these have only accompanied me on one trip to the summit of Mt. Shasta. They fit nice, were easy to strap on, and they kept the snow out...pretty much what I was looking for. We'll see if they pass the test of time.

By Tangsoous

from Farmington, NM

About Me Casual Adventurer

6/22/2009

(5 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

Nice, but fit VERY tight

4.0

PROS

Comfortable
Warm

CONS

Sized small

BEST USES

Snow Sports
Hiking and Camping

Comments:

I bought a size large to put over my Sorels (9D) when snowshoeing. I should have bought a larger size. They barely fit, and that was with a slight struggle. I could not fit them over insulated snow pants. Other than that, they worked great, kept snow out of the boots and my tootsies dry and warm.