OK.  Now that I have my footwear properly secured to my feet with the aid of cord-lock devices for the laces, my next goal may be to see if I can limit the amount of "material" that climbs up my legs when I'm not riding in my canoe (e.g., wading, portaging, etc.)

I've noticed a few canoe travelers (e.g. Magicpaddler for one) sometimes tuck the bottoms of their pants into the tops of their socks or boots to restrict the opening.  I remembered that in the old days, i.e., the Vietnam War era, we used to use   (You need to Login or Register to gather the bottoms of our pant legs.  This was "uniform of the day" state-side and in more formal situations, but usually ditched when in the bush because they were somewhat confining.  However, I'm wondering if they would serve a purpose of keeping extraneous matter (e.g., creepy crawlies) on the OUTSIDE of your clothing.  They are elastic, with hooks or clips on each end so they can easily be wrapped around your leg.  This would also be really quick if you did it on the outside of your pant legs (rather than the inside, as per military dress).

Anyone use this or something similar?  I've noticed that they are now available as a velcro-type strap, but I assume the "hook" part would soon become clogged with debris...which happens to velcro tabs on the closures of some of my zip-off pants.

dd

I know that Chota makes a nice strap for kepping your pant legs in place. I think some people use them for when they are wearing waders. Here is a question that goes along with the last part of your comment...Does anyone know of a good way "renew" or clean up a velcro patch on said garters?

Hmmmm :question
I haven't had to deal with this issue yet. With the chota muklucks I've always just stuck my pants into them and went on.

not to sure I'm going to be happy with something grippy around my ankles. What about a pair of Gaiters? That might not be a bad option when things started to look messy. EZ on EZ off. Keep them on the outside of a pack.

What do you think?
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mastertangler wrote on Dec 7^th, 2010 at 6:33pm:

Hmmmm :question I haven't had to deal with this issue yet. With the chota muklucks I've always just stuck my pants into them and went on. not to sure I'm going to be happy with something grippy around my ankles. What about a pair of Gaiters?

I'm thinking that it puts one more messy item in my canoe ... not something I'm looking to do.  I feel that the garters could be quickly rinsed and stuffed into a pocket (certainly not attached to my pack, which I take some care to keep clean).

I've used gaiters a few times (backpacking in the rockies).  They are good at keeping you somewhat dry in low level vegetation and/or powder, but aren't designed to seal off your pants.  

In any case, if you are trying to keep dry in WCPP, forget it.  Many of the portages have encroaching vegetation (think little used trails in Quetico, like Trant to Silence).  So the only way to keep dry with wet vegetation is to wear your rain suit ... usually too hot for me for portaging unless really necessary.  But for a WCPP trip, there is good news ... NO TICKS, its too far north.

BTW:  If wish to use the gaiters, at least swap feet (relative to the REI photo), unless you can find a pair to wear backwards (where the fastening is to the rear) ... after all, you are generally PUSHING your legs through the bush, not pulling.


Android wrote on Dec 7^th, 2010 at 6:32pm:

Does anyone know of a good way "renew" or clean up a velcro patch on said garters?

I've been picking it out with a pointy tool (tooth pick) and then "blotting" it with duct tape.  Not quick, but it works.

dd

OK DD
I like your idea. Seems like it would work and simple in the extreme. EZ on and off and no weight. Probably one of those things you don't realize how handy they are until you use them. I'll give them a shot.

Just pick the buggers off your legs and throw in a pot of boiling water...soup appetizer! :P

Is this about leeches?? I ain't afeered of no stinkin leeches! Just slap a little salt on them, they come right off. Then let them dry in the sun.......a little chewy.

I thought we were talkin about piles of sticks, rocks and other rotting debris.

I run velcro straps...and when I need to clean velcro I use a stiff old tooth brush; and old cut off paint brush would work too I think. It is unidirectional...you will see ;)

I run velcro straps, too. Not sure what they were actually sold to do, but they work great for me. They can get pretty dirty if you get into some good sucking mud-holes, but they're pretty easy to clean off. I've always liked the way it feels to not have anything running up your legs, particularly on the portage trail  :P

I use these when riding my bike;
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butthead

Good info BH

You never can have enough options for securing items on the water/camp/workshop ;)

I'm glad this thread came up. I went and coupled the OTB boots with a pair of gaiters and I think I'm a happy camper. It's tough to put me in long pants and my Chota Mukluks had a sort of built in gaiter. Not so with the OTB boots.

My shins would of likely taken a whoopin.  

Gaiters the other apron ;D But they do make the pants last longer. And it will very impressive to have clean cuffs at the end of three weeks ;)

Shoot, I might not even wear pants the whole time cept in the morning around camp or if the skeets are vicious. I usually run in shorts and if it's really hot I take those off and I run in the next layer down. Can you say "breatheability".

I'm thinking those Gaiters are going to be right handy.

Ok.....I like these bloucing straps. They sent me like 6 of them and I think they are kind of nifty. Picture a little mini bungee cord complete with tiny metal hooks about 6" long and you have the picture. Strong for their size and weight.

I am wracking my brain wondering what I could use them for.

mastertangler wrote on Dec 14^th, 2010 at 6:29pm:

I am wracking my brain wondering what I could use them for.

Do you hang a flashlight in your tent for a bit of light after dark?  I have a tiny one (sometimes referred to as an electric candle) that I hang.  (With the focus cap removed it gives off light 360 X 180 degrees.)  One bloucing strap might be useful for something like that.

dd

I do usually write at night. But I use my headlamp on its lowest setting. I just know these things are going to come in handy for something. I'm going to bring them as they are so light their impact will be negligible.

I think they are absolutely perfect for the reason you first introduced them. No velcro to hassle with having to clean. Just wrap around your pant and off you go.  [smiley=thumbup.gif]