WWII leggings (gaiters) for hiking

**Tobus** · 21st November 10, 02:48 PM

Well, as I mentioned in another thread, I bought some vintage WWII canvas leggings on eBay. They were around $25 including shipping.

I have been doing a lot of hiking lately (kilted, of course), and wanted something to protect my legs from the tall grass, thorn bushes, cactus, and other various stuff on the trail that can really beat up your legs. Wearing kilt hose is out of the question, as one single hiking excursion would likely ruin them. They'd end up with snags all in them, and full of stickers and such.

So I went for a 5-mile hike today with my wife following on her horse, as is our usual custom. To put it simply, these leggings are awesome. They were perfect for protecting my legs, which I really put to the test today by taking a trail that's full of cactus and cat's claw. I stomped right through it all, with full protection from these leggings.

Not only are they great protection, but I think they just look really cool too!

Here's a close-up of them. Lacing them up is a bit of a chore, but once they're laced correctly and snugly (you can find directions all over the internet), they stay put.

Yeah, I was wearing a Utilikilt. I can't bring myself to get my good wool tartan kilt dirty and torn up on the trail. In the near future, I'm going to invest in a box-pleated 4-yard wool kilt for hiking as an alternative to the UK.

Anyway, I tried various methods with my kilt hose, and what works best is just folding them down underneath the leggings before lacing them up, with about 3/4" to 1" exposed. Like I said, the legging stayed put throughout the hike, and my hose didn't slip down or do anything untoward.

One caveat: these leggings are meant to be worn over low-rise boots that have a simple leather upper construction. They will not fit over modern hiking boots that have all that padding at the top. Plus the boots need a real heel so the strap can be positioned properly. Most hiking boots I've seen have more of a sport shoe type sole, but with more tread. Also, the boot laces used in WWII were flat laces, not round. I'm going to change out the laces on these boots to flat laces so that when I tie the boots before strapping on the leggings, I don't end up with a lot of bulk under the leggings.

And actually, I may invest in some reproduction WWII garrison boots, which is what was meant to be worn with leggings. What Price Glory has them.

Anyway, that's my review. These are a great and cheap accessory for kilted hikers!

**CMcG** · 21st November 10, 03:10 PM

That's a perfect solution; not only do they serve their purpose, they look good too!

**Nick the DSM** · 21st November 10, 04:31 PM

Please don't call them leggings...

**norfair86** · 21st November 10, 05:28 PM

Those look awesome! I may have to invest in a pair myself, as I have the same issues when hiking. I usually just wear some over-the-calf socks, but they get full of stickers and such.
And I think the UK looks great! I wear the same one, in the same color when hiking. They can take a beating and offer plenty of space for storing knives, flashlights and other gear.

PS
That staff is amazing!

**Tobus** · 21st November 10, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by Nick the DSM

Please don't call them leggings...

*shrug* That's what everybody calls them in military surplus circles. I tried looking for them under every other name I could think of, but it seems that "leggings" is the recognized term.

PS
That staff is amazing!

Thanks! I need to drill another hole in it, a little lower than the existing one, and move the leather thong down to a reasonable height. I also need to put a metal spiked tip on the bottom somehow. The rocks around here will tear it up pretty darn quick if I don't.

**macwilkin** · 21st November 10, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by Nick the DSM

Please don't call them leggings...

Originally Posted by Tobus

*shrug* That's what everybody calls them in military surplus circles. I tried looking for them under every other name I could think of, but it seems that "leggings" is the recognized term.

Tobus is correct; the correct term for them is leggings.

T.

**thescot** · 21st November 10, 08:29 PM

Yeah, they're leggings, although some would call them gaiters or puttees. Puttees are actually wound around the lower leg, I believe.

Now you know why they were used: they work great. Even Boy Scouts wore them in the old days (before my time) for the same reason. Tromping about in the woods require something like that for best effect.

BTW, they really do look pretty smart.

**Nick the DSM** · 21st November 10, 08:36 PM

I always heard them as Puttees not leggings.

**cavscout** · 21st November 10, 09:39 PM

For those not looking for the surplus look, modern versions won't require quite as much adjusting and likely will be quote a bit lighter.

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/...ywords=gaitors

**Graham A. Robieson** · 21st November 10, 10:45 PM

Greetings,

They look great and are a testament to the quality that the army uses nothing but the best, they look so fitting that it could be mistaken as part of the Highland Dress, maybe for stalking the deer and I wonder what our ancestors would have made of them, if they had the chance to wear them.

All the best,

Graham.