Lowe Alpine Triplepoint Ceramic gaiters (Lowe Alpine Front Zip Gaiter)

Member Name: i_p_jones

Product:	Lowe Alpine Front Zip Gaiter
Date:	08/12/00 (313 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Waterproof & breathable, front-zipped, good strap, drawcord top

Disadvantages: They don't always stay up

I bought these gaiters because I'd heard the name - I've got a Triplepoint Ceramic jacket and it works well. So when I was looking for new gaiters I grabbed these.

The thing that caught my eye with these was the front zip. When the zip's at the back, it can be a real pain putting them on. And the zip is a good heavy-duty one as well, not one which falls down all the time.

The one thing I was wary of with the front zip was the fact that water could get in. But there is a wide velcro'd flap across the zip, which keep the wet stuff out.

Being breathable as well as waterproof, I can wear these gaiters all day without getting sweaty ankles! So they act as a third layer when it's cold (with my normal trousers and overtrousers), which saves a bit of money on thermals.

I'm impressed with the strap on these to go around the sole of your boot. Most gaiters have a cord or just a lace, and they snap after a few months. The strap on these gaiters though is rubbery, so it is really strong, which will probably help when walking over rocky ground.

Also, the top of these has a proper drawcord to keep them up, unlike others which rely on tying a knot in a lace - terrible with cold fingers, and impossible to get off if you tie it too tight.

Talking of keeping the gaiters up, this is the only disadvantage I can find. After a few hours, they start to fall down, especially when I'm wearing my overtrousers over them. But apparently this happens with all gaiters. Maybe a stronger material would keep them up for longer?

The material of these is also "quiet" - you don't get the swish-swish-swish sound all day of them rubbing together. Sounds trivial, but it is another bonus.

The lace hook at the front is another advantage, a proper hook which stays on all day, unlike others which pop off all the time.

From the ankle down, these gaiters are elasticated, which helps to kee
p your feet dry. It will probably help to keep snow and ice out, which is essential when walking in deep snow - if snow gets into your boot, walking on it will compress it into ice, and that's _not_ comfortable. It can also melt inside the boot as well leaving you with cold wet feet. Frostbite is not pleasant.

Summary: