Jack Wolfskin Texapore Gaiter XT
Product Review & Walking Gear Test

	Texapore Gaiter XT Vital Statistics: Colours: Black with yellow trim Sizes: M, L Weight: 265 g/pair (Size L) SRP: £60.00

Texapore Gaiter XT

Vital Statistics:

Colours:
Black with yellow trim

Sizes:
M, L

Weight:
265 g/pair (Size L)

SRP:
£60.00

Jack Wolfskin says:"Reliable ankle and footwear protection: The Texapore Gaiter XT is a waterproof, windproof, three-layer gaiter designed to withstand any kind of weather and demanding terrain. That is why we have used highly breathable Texapore O2+ 3L fabric with durable Chaintech 420D - an unbeatable combination against water, scree and vegetation. The full length, water resistant zips mean you can get them on in no time. The adjustable strap at the top creates a good seal while the adjustable under-foot strap and metal lace hooks secure the gaiter firmly to your footwear."

Features to Note:

Outer fabric: Texapore* O2 combined with Chaintech 420D
Lining: 100 % Polyamide
Robust-looking rubber under-foot strap
Metal lace hook

In-use Test:

Even quite experienced walkers and hikers will spend time - and not inconsiderable funds - purchasing good quality walking boots and waterproof jackets and trousers only to wonder why they have wet, cold feet and socks at the end of each venture onto the fells and mountains. If you spend anytime at all walking through long grass and mud (this is the UK after all) then good quality gaiters are an absolute must. Particularly if you have ever ripped the bottom of your expensive waterproof trousers with your crampon - a trick all too easy to do when you stumble whilst hiking through snow and ice.

Unlike most gaiters which are just tubes of material, the Texapore Gaiter XT is shaped to fit. Extra fabric at the bottom virtually covers your walking boots so that the standard metal hook can easily clip over your most toe-ward lace without having to tug at the material.

Furthermore the bottom third of the Jack Wolfskin Texapore Gaiter XT is reinforced to protect against potential cuts and scrapes - and the occasional crampon spike.

There is a hard-wearing looking rubber strap that loops under the boot to keep the gaiters tight to your boots and this is altered with a lockable toggle which can be adjusted with gloved hands. The excess is tidied away into a 'belt' loop just below the lockable toggle. The back of the gaiter is also elasticated to ensure a tight fit. Once you have adjusted the under boot straps you can simply step into and out of them as required without having to alter them again.

In my testing, the full length front zips were also waterproof ; I liked the fact that they can be zipped down from the top to the bottom. This is important because it makes putting the gaiters on extremely quick and easy without getting your hands or gloves covered in mud. Once on, there is a flap of fabric that covers the bottom of the zip to stop it getting clogged with mud with a popper to keep it in place.

The top of the Jack Wolfskin Texapore Gaiter XT is secured by a strap with an adjustable side-release buckle. This is also elasticated to ensure a tight fit and to stop them falling down.

NB. The care instructions state that they should be washed using special detergents for membrane textiles and that you should not use any fabric softener.

*Texapore is Jack Wolfskin's own proprietary technical fabric membrane/coating range. In these Gaiters it's used in a 3-layer construction (face fabric, membrane and lining). The Hydrostatic head for Texapore O2+ 3L is 20,000 mm and the breathability/moisture vapour transmissionis greater than 15,000 g/m2/24h

Buying Advice:

On test in the Forest of Bowland, the Jack Wolfskin Texapore Gaiter XT appear to be hardwearing and also extremely waterproof. Also - I didn't feel like my legs were encased in a sweat box as the fabric did ensure that the moisture escaped. I also liked the practical design which means that most of your boot as well as all your legs below the knee are covered. The contoured, front facing, water-repellent zip ensured they were easy to take on and off. The price might seem a bit daunting to some, but good quality gaiters such as these might just be difference between dry and warm happy feet or cold and wet miserable ones.

What do you think?

Have you got a Jack Wolfskin Texapore Gaiter XT ?

We would love to hear what you thought of it - good, bad or indifferent. Perhaps you simply disagree with the verdict above - or feel an important feature has been negelected.

Jack Wolfskin Texapore Gaiter XT Product Review & Walking Gear Test

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Jack Wolfskin Texapore Gaiter XT
Product Review & Walking Gear Test