Ascent Ventigaitor

Excellent all-around gaitor. They fit very well over my HyTec hiking boots and my Invernos. Another good thing is that the Cordura on the inside face is full height for lots of crampon protection. I've scraped mine on crampons numerous times, but none have penetrated.

Haven't used the zipdown ventilation feature, so I can't comment on how well that works. These gaitors are very waterproof, however the overall durability is not as good.

They have a cinch at the top of the gaitor to provide a snug fit and prevent snow from getting in through the top. I've never had the velcro come undone.

These gaitors are extremely waterproof and durable, but I think they have a design flaw. There is no snap or buckle attachment at the top of the gaitor to prevent the velcro from coming un-done from the top down. I've worn mine on long days in the snow and seen the tops begin to come open. By the end of the day, the velcro is so choked with snow and ice that they hardly stay up.

For simply climbing or hiking, these work just fine. If you're going to be crawling around digging a snow cave or something, you might have trouble.

My gaiters got a good workout yesterday on Mt Hood (5-24-03)in rather nasty snow conditions and while I've used these gaiters on three previous winter trips with no problems, I was disappointed in what occurred.

First, as Cluck reported, I feel it is a design flaw not having snaps at the top as mine did the same as his, they were continually coming open and before long snow was clogging the velcro. Also the snap on the bottom on one of mine also began popping open and soon it wouldn't stay closed and I had snow solidly packed in and around my boot. I may make some modifications to correct these problems or I might just shuck em and get the OR ones.
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I'm not crazy about these gaiters, as others have mentioned the snap at the bottom amounts to an off-color joke. Useless. The side Velcro is a pain to attach; it would be much more useful at the front like the Altitude Ventigaiter. The insides look like nothing more than coated nylon, on the front strip 4" wide the length of the gaiter is probably the only spot where Conduit is used. I bought these gaiters because of their venting feature. On the Ascent gaiters its at the back, I'd much rather see it on the side like on the Altitude. The sizing chart said size L gaiters fit 9-11 boots, the L is a very tight uncomfortable fit on my size 10 Scarpa Invernos. I expect a lot more attention to detail from MH. Not impressed, a reluctant 3 stars.

These have worked fine for me, but they're not great. I have had some problems with the top snap comming undone and they don't seem to stay up to their full height around my leg no matter how tight I draw the cord.

Things I like about them: They're relatively light and easy to pack when I'm not using them, they do keep the snow out well, the price was right.

Mountain Hardware made a quality product as usual. These gaitor hold up to the rigors of ice climbing or mountaineering on shorter trips.



I don't feel that they are suited for longer trips and the vent system is useless in the fact that it didn't really work because you are typicaly wearing gortex pants and the two extra zippers are just that, EXTRA weight.

I have used these gaitors in varying conditions and have come to wish I had others. The vent system is pointless in winter with boots, shell pants and base layer. The bottom closure system snap is not very efficient and comes undone easily. The stitching on mine has started to fray along the velcro closure. The fabric itself is tough though and I have not had snow entering anywhere. Mine did not come with a leather strap for under the boot. I bought them at REI and they came with a shoe string type thing - I am going to return them for the other style. Edit - 3/03/05: Due to no instep patches, the fabric turned out to be less tough than I thought originally...crampons went through. Took them back to REI for the OR crocs.

If you are sing these on a very cold situation, beware becasue they do not breath well and the swesat freezes inside.



For non-technical ascents , spring and fall treks and peakbagging, these gaiters are great.