Customer Reviews Outdoor Research Helium Gaiters

5

I was initially skeptical of the durability of these gaiters. They are very lightweight and very packable. I used them on a 10 day hike in the arctic(fall conditions) and they surpassed all my expectations. They performed well in the dry sand, tundra bogs, through rock and boulder scrambles, driving rain and snow as well as the muddy quicksand. They stayed in place well, the draw cord at the top held fast. The waterproofing was excellent and maintained its breathability. Hanging them or laying them out under the tent's fly/vestibule allowed any mositure accumulated through the day to be dry by morning. For these type of conditions I would highly recommend them. I would be suspect of the durability to low branches and brambles in the south, but OR has solid options for that.

Pretty sure they're decent. I had the black heavy duty ones 20 years ago in boy scouts. Served me well

I am an outdoor enthusiast with a wide range of interest. From summer hikes, backpacking, hiking in the rain, or snowshoeing/mountaineering. These lightweight packable gaiters serve so many functions for me: keeping the dirt, rain, or snow out of my shoes and protecting my legs. Its right in the middle some where in it can be used for all of my activities compared to my heavier pair of gaiters strictly for winter sports or ankle gaiters for short day hikes. Love them, and would recommend them!

Being able to replace the straps was a prime reason for buying gaiters.

just used these in really wet, rainy conditions on a 6 day trip in the mountains. they seemed to hold up really well. lightweight too.

Used these hiking around some high mountain lakes and underbrush in Alaska (during snowy shoulder season). They kept my feet nice and dry. Pair them with a quality set of GTX boots and you're set!

Light but tough and weather resistant.

Easy to put on / take off, and manage. Light enough and compact enough to carry until needed.

Using them for my field work sampling streams and rivers which involves lots of off trail navigation through thorny underbrush, long grass full of ticks, and mile and miles of sagebrush. So far they have held up great, but we shall see how they fair at the end of the season. The first thing I noticed was how incredibly light these were. Wearing them feels like wearing nothing at all, and the light grab of the stretch cord at the top was the only thing I felt. On their first use the velcro was rather stiff, which gave me worry of them being a rigid gaiter. To my surprise after one day of use the softened up, allowing them to move, flex, and bend while I walk through difficult terrain. I was the tick magnet on our last field hitch gaining two latched ticks on our first day (not wearing the gaiters). While I can't say the gaiters prevented the ticks from finding skin, the rest of the 8 days I found multiple ticks on the gaiters or on my pants, but not one was able to crawl its way to my skin. In terms of brush, dust, rocks, and dirt the gaiters prevented any of it from getting in my boots. While the durability is still a question mark, I highly recommend them at this point.

Did a whole day in rain, these did not give an inch. Pairing with good boots and a good long rain jacket, no need for rain pants!

As a member of a SAR team you are always looking for the perfect piece of equipment. These gaiters are just what I was looking for. They are light so they don't slow you down on a search but give you the protection you need when going thru the brush. Good job OR and thanks for supporting the SAR volunteers Thanks John

Just what I was looking for in lightweight gaiters.

Keep the snow, mud, bugs and all the other gunk out of your shoes while looking stylish too. There gaiters fit my trail runners and my boots. Highly recommend. Wicked comfy and always stay up.

I love these gators, they fit perfectly and did not slip like a lot of others I have tried. The build quality is what I would expect from OR. I was walking through deep snow and heavy brush on a SAR mission and they performed flawlessly. Thank you OR.

These are terrific gaiters waterproof, seemingly durable, breathable, but amazingly lightweight.

Probably one of the best pairs of gaiters on the market.

Best gaiters for the price. They are really well made. After couple of years of intense use, they are as news. (Snowshoeing and hiking). They are with my outdoor kit at all times. (lightweight, compact when folded).

They work as advertised, lightweight, breathable, and waterproof. I highly recommend these!

I wore these gaiters one time and one of the clasps has already fallen off. Really, Outdoor Research? Doesn't bode well for long term or even short term durability.

2

Belt buckle prong broke on 3rd use, rendering the gaiters useless.

I have loved other OR gaiters I purchased. Thus, I bought these gaiters excited to use them. So I threw them in my pack and headed out for a day trip up Mt. Baker. I hit snow, pull out my gaiters, unsnap one, and the snap breaks off instantly. so now I am without a top snap to keep it shut. Then, I pull the string to tighten the gaiter on the top and it also breaks off. I had not even used these once yet and they broke putting them on. These are not fit for the purpose they are designed for if they are so delicate they can't even be put on without breaking. Do not buy these. I am throwing these in the trash as they cannot be relied upon in the mountains.

I have used OR Gaiters for years and thought I would try these out on an 8 day backpack trip into Olympic National Park. Bottom line - the strap that runs under the boots shredded on both boots (Hanwag Tashi Welt Stitch Boots) in 4 days. My wife was wearing a pair of 5 year old traditional OR gaiters on the same terrain that worked perfect. SO - OR does know how to make a strap that will hold up. I used DUCT Tape on them so I could finish the hike out with them Bottom line - the strap is not ready for prime time. OR gave me my money back..but did not seem interested in the design problem. All you have to is use the same material on that strap that you use on the other gaiters and they will be fine. All it will do is add a a few milligrams to the weight (if that).