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Anybody try any of the Kahtoola gaiters?

Ok. I was wondering if I was doing something wrong with my black diamonds.

I've looked at them, but the small, exposed zipper makes me leery. That zipper is down at ground level where snow, ice, mud, etc., collect. It's not covered, and I can imagine having a tough time with it in a variety of conditions or with cold hands trying to make it work. I prefer a Velcro closure... KISS.

I took my new kenetrek gaiters on a moose hunt. One did not survive a deadfall expedition. I need to patch a tear.
They did keep my feet dry in a lake while quartering a moose.
I will checkout the other options discussed.
Not to sidetrack, but repair suggestions?

If it's just a tear, a needle and thread with seam-sealer over it to finish. Or, Gear Aid Tenacious Tape... I prefer to use the clear tape. Use a piece on the inside and outside.

If they are holding up for you, you are probably doing something right!

The instep strap buckle on mine broke the first day of use. Taped it and used it for a couple weeks sheep hunting, then tried to use them at moose camp. Blew the strap out completely at moose camp but I had backups there. The other one is tearing out too, and upon closer inspection, that buckle is trying to give up the ghost too. Not trying to knock the company... I generally like their stuff as I mentioned. But it would be tough to sell me another pair of their gaiters. Less than a season on these:

Black Diamond backs their equipment. Over tightening the straps? Perhaps you could have returned them for a replacement instead of continuing to wear broken gear?

Didn't "tighten" the straps at all.

I got what I could out of the POS. My biggest fear in returning them was that they would give me another pair.

I have pictures of some decent quality gaiters with 4 years of use on them too if you'd like to see what that looks like.

No thanks.

I use my BDs in rough terrain and with crampons, too. 9 years and still almost new looking despite bashing up and down actual mountains.

Cool. In the interest of understanding your experience, which is obviously much different than mine:
Is that all/most winter use? How much loose rock?

Its not that I don't believe you, but 9 years on a set of gaiters is just hard to comprehend.

I've been using the kuiu ones since they first came out. I'm very happy with them and they've held up well.

Actually a valid point.

Annually, use them for 2-3 mixed snow, ice, rock climbs in the North Cascades, usually couple of Cascades volcano climbs, a few deep snow snowshoe trips, several chrony shooting trips in the mountain environment and one or two non-summit "assists" of those that are not prepared or shouldn't be where they are.

Wear them when needed on approaches with scree, talus and boulders, wet brush, etc. Couple of times in desert environments when other equipment was delayed.

They're a little frayed, but very serviceable. I always clean and maintain all equipment, gear and firearms on returning from any kind of sojourn.

wanted to wait until the end of the season before providing any feedback

new gaiters this year- Kuiu Yukon, look very similar to the OR Croc in design- different fabric, definitely quieter than the Croc; seems durable- have a lot of miles on them, but just one season- time will tell; at the bottom instead of a fold over velcro to secure (OR), the Kuiu uses a heavy duty snap- much better design; I have a couple of pair of OR gaiters where the small velcro piece has failed

anyways- another possible gaiter to look at

LOL!

I agree with cwh2, the black diamonds are junk! The pair I had made it 4 days. The next worse was kennetreks. I currently use OR and can stretch two to three years out of a pair.

Kuius have been great for me 5 years zero problems. A bit better than the OR and REI and BD.

@mtwarden - How do the Kuiu's stack up to the OR's in terms of breathability? I've worn OR's for years, Crocs and Veriglas and have never gotten sweaty in them.

IME the Yukons are at least as breathable.

I have had a grey pair of the kuiu’s for 5 years I love them

The Kuiu’s look about as good as it gets...

Question, are the instep straps replaceable like the Sea To Summit?