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