Gaiters: Difference between revisions

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*''Distinguish from "[[gator]]", which is a short form of "alligator".''
[[File:Tourist Gaiters.jpg|thumb|Hiking gaiters]]
== On people ==
'''Gaiters''' are a type of protective clothing for a person's ankles and legs below the knee. Gaiters are worn when working or [[hiking]] outdoors among dense underbrush or on snow, with or without [[snowshoe]]s. Gaiters strap onto the [[hiking boot]] and around the person's leg to provide protection from branches and thorns and to prevent mud, snow, etc from entering the boot. Gaiters are similar to [[puttee]]s, a part of numerous military uniforms.


Originally, gaiters were made of leather. Today they are commonly made of plasticized synthetic cloth such as polyester.
'''Gaiters''' are garments worn over the shoe and lower [[Trousers| pants]] leg, and used primarily as [[personal protective equipment]];  similar garments used primarily for display are [[Spat (footwear)| spats]].
[[Image:R51-fender.jpg|thumb|200px|Rubber gaiters on a 1953 BMW R51/3 motorcycle]]
Originally, gaiters were made of [[leather]] or [[canvas]]. Today, gaiters for [[walking]] are commonly made of plasticized synthetic cloth such as [[polyester]]. Gaiters for use on horseback continue to be made of leather.
== On motorcycles ==
'''Gaiters''' are pleated rubber tubes enclosing the [[Motorcycle fork|front suspension tubes]] of some [[motorcycle]]s with telescopic front forks. Gaiters protect the sliding parts of the front [[Suspension (motorcycle)|suspension]] from dirt and water.


== In the church ==
==Military origins and terminology==
'''Gaiters''' formed a part of the everyday [[clerical clothing]] of bishops and [[archdeacon]]s of the [[Anglican Communion]] until the middle part of the twentieth century. They were made of black cotton, wool, or silk, and buttoned up the sides, reaching to just below the knee where they would join with black breeches. Gaiters would be worn with a clerical [[apron]], a type of short [[cassock]] reaching to just above the knee. The purpose of this vesture was originally practical, since archdeacons and bishops were presumed to be mobile, riding horses to various parts of a diocese or archdeaconry. In latter years, the clothing took on a more symbolic dimension.
After 1700 infantry in most European armies substituted long linen gaiters, or spatterdashes, as a protective leg cover for the woollen stockings previously worn. By the 1770s military gaiters were often shortened to mid-calf length for convenience in the field.<ref>{{cite book|first=John|last=Mollo|pages=31 & 52|title=Military Fashion|ISBN=0-214-65349-8}}</ref> 


== Medical usage ==
In army parlance, a gaiter covers leg and bootlacing; a legging covers only the leg.  In [[RAF]] parlance, gaiter includes legging. The [[National Army (USA)|American Army]] during [[World War I]]<ref name = "WWI">{{Citation | last = Henry | first = Mark | title = The US Army of World War I | publisher = Osprey | place = Oxford | year = 2003}}.</ref> and [[World War II]] had leggings, which were gaiters. Above the knee spatterdashes were cotton or canvas, as were many gaiters of varying lengths thereafter. Leather gaiters were rare in military useage, though sometimes a calf-length [[cotton]] gaiter had leather kneecaps added. Leggings, however, were very often made of leather, but also [[canvas]].
In medicine, the gaiter area is that area of the lower extremity over which a gaiter fits roughly from the ankle to the proximal calf. It is in this area that the classic venous stasis ulcer occurs. Venous stasis results from damage to the vein valvular system in the lower extremity and in extreme cases allows the pressure in the veins to be higher than the pressure in the arteries. This pressure results in transudation of inflammatory mediators into the subcutaneous tissues of the lower extremity and subsequent breakdown of the tissue including the skin.


== In names of sports teams ==
==On foot==
The varsity team name for [[Bishop's University]] in [[Lennoxville, Quebec]], Canada is the "[[Bishop's Gaiters]]".
[[File:US Navy 030708-N-5862D-127 Members of the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard stand in formation next to the Lone Sailor statue at the U.S. Navy Memorial.jpg|thumb|[[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] [[honor guard#United States|Ceremonial Guard]] wearing white canvas [[leggings#Military use|leggings]], as the part of the [[Uniforms of the United States Navy|Enlisted Full Dress Whites or Blue]]]]
 
Gaiters are a type of protective clothing for a person's [[ankle]]s and legs below the knee. Gaiters are worn when [[walking]], [[hiking]], [[running]] (especially [[orienteering]] and [[rogaining]]) outdoors amongst dense underbrush or in [[snow]], with or without [[snowshoe]]s. Heavy gaiters are often worn when using [[crampon]]s, to protect the leg and ankle from the spikes of the opposite foot. Gaiters strap over the [[hiking boot]] and around the person's leg to provide protection from branches and thorns and to prevent mud, snow, etc. from entering the top of the boot. Gaiters may also be worn as protection against snake bites.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nark |first1=Jason |date=20 June 2018 |title=Venomous passion: Pennsylvania's snake hunters head to the hills |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/news/rattlesnake-hunt-roundup-rural-pennsylvania-venomous-copperhead-20180620.html |access-date=22 June 2018 |work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]}}</ref>
 
Gaiters fill the same function as [[puttee]]s, a part of numerous military uniforms.  Gaiters known as ''jambieres'' (derived from the French word ''jambe'' for legs, hence leggings) were part of the uniform of [[Zouave]] infantry regiments.
 
==On horseback==
[[File:Huaso-leg.jpg|thumb|upright|Over-the-knee gaiters worn by a Chilean rodeo rider]]
 
During the 19th century gaiters for riding typically were known as ''riding gaiters'', distinguishing them from the other gaiters that were in general use.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}}  Today, [[Chaps#Half chaps|half chaps]] are a type of gaiter worn by [[Equestrianism|equestrian]]s.  Most forms fit over the calf. These are intended to protect the rider's leg from wear by the stirrup leathers and other saddle parts.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}}  Modern styles usually have a zipper or [[hook and loop fastener]]s on the outside of the leg.
 
==References==
{{Reflist}}


<div class="references-small">
[http://anglicansonline.org/special/gaiters/ Anglicans Online: Through the Years with Gaiters]
<references/>


[[Category:Hiking equipment]]
[[Category:Hiking equipment]]
[[Category:Footwear]]
[[Category:Footwear]]

Revision as of 14:00, 2 February 2021

Gaiters are garments worn over the shoe and lower pants leg, and used primarily as personal protective equipment; similar garments used primarily for display are spats. Originally, gaiters were made of leather or canvas. Today, gaiters for walking are commonly made of plasticized synthetic cloth such as polyester. Gaiters for use on horseback continue to be made of leather.

Military origins and terminology

After 1700 infantry in most European armies substituted long linen gaiters, or spatterdashes, as a protective leg cover for the woollen stockings previously worn. By the 1770s military gaiters were often shortened to mid-calf length for convenience in the field.[1]

In army parlance, a gaiter covers leg and bootlacing; a legging covers only the leg. In RAF parlance, gaiter includes legging. The American Army during World War I[2] and World War II had leggings, which were gaiters. Above the knee spatterdashes were cotton or canvas, as were many gaiters of varying lengths thereafter. Leather gaiters were rare in military useage, though sometimes a calf-length cotton gaiter had leather kneecaps added. Leggings, however, were very often made of leather, but also canvas.

On foot

Gaiters are a type of protective clothing for a person's ankles and legs below the knee. Gaiters are worn when walking, hiking, running (especially orienteering and rogaining) outdoors amongst dense underbrush or in snow, with or without snowshoes. Heavy gaiters are often worn when using crampons, to protect the leg and ankle from the spikes of the opposite foot. Gaiters strap over the hiking boot and around the person's leg to provide protection from branches and thorns and to prevent mud, snow, etc. from entering the top of the boot. Gaiters may also be worn as protection against snake bites.[3]

Gaiters fill the same function as puttees, a part of numerous military uniforms. Gaiters known as jambieres (derived from the French word jambe for legs, hence leggings) were part of the uniform of Zouave infantry regiments.

On horseback

File:Huaso-leg.jpg
Over-the-knee gaiters worn by a Chilean rodeo rider

During the 19th century gaiters for riding typically were known as riding gaiters, distinguishing them from the other gaiters that were in general use.[citation needed] Today, half chaps are a type of gaiter worn by equestrians. Most forms fit over the calf. These are intended to protect the rider's leg from wear by the stirrup leathers and other saddle parts.[citation needed] Modern styles usually have a zipper or hook and loop fasteners on the outside of the leg.

References