Outdoor Research Rocky Mt. Low Review

Likely nostalgia played some part in our fondness for the Outdoor Research Rocky Mt. Low, which brought back memories of being 13 years old, saturated and in a near hypothermic state at the top of a mountain. The classic design of this gaiter is proof that some things can't be improved. That being said, given our current professions and choice of outdoor recreation, we probably wouldn't buy it for ourselves. As climbers and guides, having something that is appropriate for use with crampons is critical. We also wear gaiters because of wet conditions, and this gaiter is better suited to dryer conditions. It's doubly unfortunate that this gaiter isn't very waterproof nor designed to be worn with crampons because it has the best fit with our La Sportiva Nepal Evo boots of any gaiter we tested in this review. The elasticated bottom of the gaiter created a near perfect seal over our boots. Bottom line, if you get this gaiter for your drier weather hiking adventures you'll be happy, and you won't have to spend a lot of money on them either. They weigh 2.5 ounces each and have about a 9 inch rise. They come in Black only, and S/M or L/XL sizes.

Performance Comparison

Climbing the grooved out trail on the upper portion of Mt. Rainier. This gaiter worked in these conditions relatively well, though they are better suited for drier hiking conditions without the use of crampons.

Water Resistance

The nylon fabric of these gaiters sheds water really well, particularly if you get a good taut fit over your boots and clothing. They are good for splashes across streams and the occasional brush up against some wet vegetation, but they eventually soak through if used in wet conditions for an extended duration. Use them for cold weather dry snow or drier hikes, or check out the full length Outdoor Research Crocodile, which had our highest rating for Water Resistance.

Water beads up and rolls off the nylon fairly well, though after a long day in the snow the material does wet through.

Debris Protection

Both the bottom and top of the gaiter is elasticated, and though not adjustable, they can provide a super tight fit over your boots if sized correctly. They tend to fit best over hiking boots as opposed to approach shoes or light hikers, so keep that in mind if you prefer the latter over the former. This gaiter works very well in vegetation and rocky terrain that is generally dry. They won't work as well in very wet conditions but will be fine for muddy conditions and for rock hopping across streams.

These gaiters fit a little baggy over our light hikers, but thanks to the bottom strap they stayed in place enough to keep most debris out.

Durability

The 420D 100% nylon material is durable and light. Though the shape of the gaiter is flared, it didn't snag on vegetation like the Outdoor Research Ultra Trail. The instep strap is wide, and as long as you use these with boots with an arch they should last a long time.

The critical Durability point for most gaiters; this pair's buckle is solidly attached and the strap is wide, but if you use them on shoes without a significant arch they'll wear out eventually.

Comfort & Breathability

These gaiters were fairly average in terms of comfort and breathability. The baggy fit felt a little annoying at times, though it does allow them to fit over fairly large boots. The elasticated top and bottom are not adjustable and require a good fit over your boots and legs to work. For us, the opening at the top was too large for use with bare legs but they fit well over pants. If you're looking for a lighter and more breathable hiking gaiter, check out our Top Pick, the Rab Scree.

The baggy fit wasn't quite as comfortable as some of the more form fitting models, and we occasionally felt stuffy in them on warm days.

Ease of Attachment

This gaiter goes on and off fairly quickly. You won't mind carrying them with just in case you need a pair of gaiters, though they take a bit longer to adjust than the Outdoor Research Wrapid. The boot instep is easy to adjust and it's worth taking a few minutes to get a perfect fit. Note that the front hook is on the top overlapping piece of material, which means you need to close the front Velcro up before hooking your shoelaces or gaiter ring. After using newer styles that have the hook on the bottom, we find we get a better fit up front by latching the hook first and then attaching the Velcro. Both the Wrapid and the Rab Latok Alpine use this hook placement instead.

These gaiters are fairly simple to step into and do up.

Weight

This gaiter is fairly light at 2.5 ounces each, but they are a no-frills model.

These gaiters won't weigh you down, and will offer extra protection against the elements.

Best Applications

These gaiters work best in dry terrain hiking situations, or for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in cold weather and dry snow conditions.

Ok, we admit it. You can wear this gaiter with crampons.

Value

This gaiter is inexpensive, durable, and light. It is not the most versatile gaiter, but it will serve multiple purposes for you if your hobbies line up with it recommend uses, terrain, and conditions.

Conclusion

This classic design still works relatively well, and OR seems to be going along with the "if it ain't broke" line of thinking. If you only need gaiters occasionally or don't want to spend a ton of money on two small flaps of fabric, then the Rocky Mt. Low is a great addition to your hiking gear.

This probably wasn't the first pair of OR gaiters to reach the crater rim of Rainier.