Outdoor Research Crocodile Review
Compare prices at 2 resellers Pros: Heavy-duty and durable, waterproof, warm
Cons: Expensive, not breathable, heavy
Manufacturer: Outdoor Research
Our Verdict
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Outdoor Research Crocodile | |||||
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Price | $78.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $59.96 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $44.95 at REI | $80 List | $39.95 at Amazon |
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Pros | Heavy-duty and durable, waterproof, warm | Comfortable, lightweight for the size, replaceable instep, excellent protection | Durable, secure, waterproof | Durable, easy-to-attach lace hook, waterproof | Easy on and off, instep cord is replaceable |
Cons | Expensive, not breathable, heavy | Thinner material for a full length, challenging lace hook | Heavy for length, chunky-looking | Disappointing instep strap, somewhat restrictive | Not versatile, instep cord wears quickly |
Bottom Line | These gaiters are a hearty option for big, cold climbs | A comfortable, full-length gaiter that keeps out snow, mud, and rain | Durable gaiters that can handle many different types of nasty weather | Full-length gaiters that are meant for the rigors of wet and snowy weather | An old school gaiter meant for high-ankle footwear |
Rating Categories | Outdoor Research Crocodile | Rab Muztag GTX | REI Co-op Backpacker Low | Black Diamond Apex GTX | Black Diamond Talus |
Comfort And Breathability (25%) | |||||
Debris Protection (25%) | |||||
Durability (15%) | |||||
Ease Of Attachment (15%) | |||||
Water Resistance (10%) | |||||
Weight (10%) | |||||
Specs | Outdoor Research... | Rab Muztag GTX | REI Co-op... | Black Diamond Apex... | Black Diamond Talus |
Weight for one (oz) | 5.0 oz | 3.8 oz | 3.5 oz | 4.0 oz | 1.8 oz |
Length (in) | 17.5 in | 16.5 in | 10.0 in | 13.0 in | 7.0 in |
Material | Gore-Tex leg panel, Cordura Nylon foot panel | 300D nylon, PU coating | Nylon | Gore-Tex 3-Layer | Soft Shell/Hard Shell |
Water resistant? | Yes | Gore-Tex Pro | 3-layer waterproof/breathable fabric | Gore-Tex 3-Layer | No |
Attachment | BioThane webbing instep with metal buckle, boot lace hook | TPU underfoot strap | Hook and loop, instep strap | hook and loop, webbing, slide release buckle | Nylon cord instep strap, lace hook, velcro, snap |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Outdoor Research Crocodile is a single-minded model. They're a little heavy and stiff, but they do their one job incredibly well. They are ultra-durable, waterproof, fit over your clunky double mountaineering boots, and are stiff enough to keep themselves from sliding down the back of your calves every other step. For everything else, they are a little too bulky, too spacious and too heavy. At a solid 10.2 ounces a pair, these gaiters weigh a lot.
Performance Comparison
Comfort & Breathability
Out of the plastic, these gaiters are stiff and a little clunky, and they stay that way for quite a while. The long break-in period is a little annoying but won't cause too much discomfort. The real downside to all the beefiness and durability is the loss of breathability of the fabric. A perfect recipe for super wet and miserable feet is a combination of warmish weather, double plastic boots, thick pants, and these gaiters.
Debris Protection
The gaiters work well at keeping debris out of your boots, but you have to be using them for the right thing. They are meant to go over bigger boots, which doesn't necessarily mean doubles, but using them with smaller shoes leaves a gap that debris can penetrate. They do not fit as well over hiking boots and do not really work at all with approach or running shoes. They are stiff enough to support themselves and keep from sliding down your calves and have a cinch at the top that holds fast and keeps the snow out from above if you are on foot and it's really that deep (seriously, get some skis). They hold snugly in place with a clip for the laces at the front and the great adjustability of the underfoot strap.
Durability
These gaiters held up in our side-by-side testing like a champ. After a big trip in the mountains, everything you take with you will look more than a little worn (including yourself). We used these gaiters while guiding on Denali, and after walking down the Kahiltna glacier with our Crocodiles intact, they still looked brand new after a quick wash. These things are as close to indestructible as can be. The 1000D foot panel will resist even the most errant crampon spikes, and the foot buckles are triple bar-tacked and made with a solid piece of metal. It'd be hard to find a mountaineer in the country who hasn't owned a pair of these (and probably still do), and the one universally agreed-upon statement about them is that they last.
Ease of Attachment
The folks at OR have this pretty dialed and made it easy to use this product in almost any conditions. Once you have the instep strap adjusted, they Velcro in place and have a cam buckle top closure. While you can adjust the cam buckle with gloves on, you'll need to take your gloves off to adjust the instep strap, which is another area where this pair loses just a little bit of ground. Also, the bootlace hook is on the top of the gaiter, which means you need to close them first and then finagle the hook down.
Water Resistance
Just like its namesake, the Outdoor Research Crocodile thrives in the wet. They are about as close to waterproof as a gaiter can get, keeping in mind that if you are wading through an ankle-high stream, water can still creep up the inside of the gaiter and wet your feet that way. With a three-layer Gore-Tex upper and 1000 denier foot panel, this gaiter is virtually impenetrable from the outside. It continuously shed water in our dousing test, and no part of the gaiter wetted through even after a prolonged soaking. Keep in mind, though, that the real trick with this gaiter is keeping your feet dry from the inside on warmer days when you still need to wear them. Poor breathability makes this model a less than ideal choice for warmer weather mountaineering. Even the coldest climbs can become sweltering in the heat of the day or on the descent. While there will never be a perfect solution, being able to adapt is still the easiest way to keep yourself comfortable and healthy.
Weight
These gaiters are solid and weigh 5 ounces each. They are not the lightest gaiters in this review, but considering the coverage they provide, they aren't the worst either. In addition, in terms of their durability relative to their weight, they are A+ when it comes to keeping you protected.
Value
You'll only have to buy these gaiters once or twice in your climbing career, and that's assuming your climbing career lasts long enough to get through the first pair. That's a pretty good deal.
Conclusion
These gaiters have a specialized niche — you won't want to wear them on a warm day hike, but they are hard to beat in their cold, icy element, and will last as long as you in the backcountry.
— Thomas Greene