Sounds like you’d remember the days when you went into REI to buy a pair of gaiters and that’s what they had鈥攐ne pair of gaiters. Or, that is, one model of gaiters鈥攐range-coated nylon. I’ve been photographed many times on some Cascades peak, looking very stylish in my orange nylon gaiters, I might add.
Termigaiter2
So you need gaiters to fit over what are basically ski boots. Correct? And, no, most gaiters won’t do that鈥攖hey’ll fit over regular mountain boots or leather boots, but ski boots are bulkier.
With that in mind, I think your best bet will be a pair of Outdoor Research Expedition Crocodiles ($84, www.orgear.com). These are like the popular “regular” Crocs鈥攁 Gore-Tex gaiter with a wide hook-and-loop closure along the front鈥攕ized for big boots and bulky clothing. In other words, they have a bigger girth than regular gaiters, so they’ll fit over ski boots and your ski pants. I’ve worn Expedition Crocs over Scarpa Inverno boots with lots of extra clothing and had room to burn. Ski boots shouldn’t be a problem.
You might also try Black Diamond’s Termigaiter2 ($40, www.bdel.com), which is specifically designed to fit their ski mountaineering gear. The Durastretch nylon/Lycra fabric ensures a comfortable, light fit, while its simple hook-and-loop closure makes it compatible with a variety of boots.