Customer Reviews

Outdoor Research Crocodiles Gaiters: Black; LG

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

These rather expensive gaiters did not live up to my expectations. They are stylish and use good materials but their construction has problems. I used them in a recent weekend trip only to discover that the snow is pushed upward and inside between the gaiter and the side of the boots. All my previous gaiters used elastic at the bottom in order to secure a good fit between the gaiter cloth and the boots, whereas this model relies in a perfect fit. Such perfect fit is hard to obtain also due to the natural arching of the boots on their inside.

Gaiters in general:
It's important to keep the bottom of your pants dry (and of course the dreaded wicking upwards); it's apparent when you go hiking with your friends and they all end up with wet pants (whether walking in the [well below freezing temp] snow or wet brush). Thick (and durable) and breathable gaiters help with versatility for both winter and wet spring/fall.

Thoughts on (Outdoor Research) models:
These "crocodiles" have the extra weight fabric, wider velcro seam, and an extra velcro tab at the front base, which totally helps to keep the velco seam from unraveling; and, comes in an XXL size--over their "verglas" counterpart. The "expedition crocodiles" would just be a heavier step up (fabric wise).

Thoughts on sizing:
XXL fits 12-15 boot size (or euro 46-50), as opposed to XL, which fits 10-13 or euro 43-47--I bought the XXL for my size 13 (or euro 47)--could be a bit snugger in the leg area, especially the top closure that I seem to have fully tightened and the leg area seems just a tad baggy (which I could use the wide velco seem for adjustments: over lapping the seam a bit, but don't want to have that non-battened edge that could get opened by snow build-up; i.e. perhaps your choice of sizing would be better influenced by your perception of your leg size, and I would suggest *NOT* oversizing as you can always give slack in the underbelt and under lap the wide velco seam and have the bottom wrap higher on your boot (assuming you are using boots and not hiking shoes)).

Bottom line:
LOVE THEM!

I've owned OR Crocodiles for years and have never had even the slightless issue. They are completely bombproof. The strap underfoot is incredibly durable and the hook and loop closure provides a tight, custom fit. I've worn these on winter slogs, spring mud stomping, wading across streams in the Adirondack mountains, hiking in the rain and they have always kept me warm and dry regardless of the weather or conditions.

I have owned two pairs of these gaiters. Both times the overlay sewn in place to secure the inside strap has torn (and I'm not wearing crampons when this happens). Despite that, fit is great and functionality excellent. OR has replaced them twice at N/C however I am beginning to doubt the design and considering trying a different brand.

I live in a country in Asia where during a certain period of the year, it rains cats and dogs almost everyday. I'm 6'1" and am considered big in my country or most parts of Asia and hence the things I need to use will be bigger in most cases, including umbrellas. I don't enjoy carrying an umbrella, and foldable ones are too small to use so I relied on a poncho. The poncho protects me everywhere except the sleeves of my pants. It rained so heavily that the inside of my boots were completely drenched and I literally poured water out of my boots.

Initially I was looking at waterproof pants but it wasn't easy looking for one that can fit me wearing my jeans and I happened to chance on gaiters. I've never heard of gaiters before simply because the topic never came up in any conversations I had with anyone and no one locally uses it since we don't experience snow. I chose gaiters in the end because its easier and less awkward to put on gaiters at the bus stop than pants.

I finally settled on Outdoor Research M's Crocodiles gaiters simply because its one of the few that comes in XXL across brands. My huge calves both measure around 21.5" and these pair of gaiters supposedly fit up to 22". Putting them on , it looked a bit awkward as some of the Velcro material is still exposed which could mean that either that it doesn't fit up to 22" or I just don't know how to put it on. I can't ask anyone but I try my best to cover as much of the Velcro as i can and though when I put it on, it doesn't look like in the picture, it still covers majority of the Velcro and works extremely well against water.

I tested it in the shower with my boots and was amazed that the water beads up and falls to the ground. I've used it twice so far as the dry season is coming so it doesn't rain as heavily or often, but using the gaiters with my boots and poncho, I've never felt dryer.

I bought these as a replacement for my old OR Crocodiles which had too much crampon damage (fixed with shoe glue :-) ) and I thought I was getting the very same product, which had worked for me well for the last 4 years. However when I first put them on I noticed that they seemed to fit larger than the old ones - almost to the point of being too large for me.
Also - the covering of the small Velcro piece at the upper bottom portion separated after just 2 outings. The same part also separated in my old gaiters but only after a couple of years of use.
Overall - they still do a good job of keeping the snow from falling inside your boots but I'm a little concerned about the quality (and the apparent sizing change).

Look good, did their job. Hate so say I have not used them in heavy snow but they worked as intended

What you see is what you get.. They fit well and are easy to wash off after mudding through the wet trails..

I am a shoe size 12US and am 6'2" and 242lbs. I ordered the Xlarge and am glad I did. These fit super snug around my mountaineering boots and fit well over crampons also. The top closures lack needed tightening space. This is easily remedied with multiple layers of pants. The material is of good quality. As for their functionality I have yet to use them in the ice so that is a story for later.

I was very impressed with these gaiters they took quite alot of abuse on sharp slate, dolomite, and quartzite talus and scree for a week straight without much wear on the strap and the gaiters them selves faired very well against briars and undergrowth on the approach. They also worked well in the snow with no snow working up through the bottoms during an excursion in the high Unitas of Eastern Utah. I was a little concerned with the size when I had purchased them but they fit my size 10.5 Kayland Apex Rock mountaineering boots very well sitting low on the boot and keeping even mud from getting up under the gaiter.