Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters Review

Overview

The Crocodile is the gaiter that mountaineers, winter peak-baggers and Alaskan bushwhackers have worn for decades: knee-high, fully waterproof, and built to shrug off crampon points and ski edges. It is made for snow, slush and mud, not for ounce-counting. At 289 g (10.2 oz) per pair in size Large, it weighs well over what a three-season hiker would normally accept for something strapped to the lower leg.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	289 g / 10.2 oz per pair (size L)
Height	Knee
Waterproof	Yes
Upper material	GORE-TEX 3-layer, 70-denier plain weave nylon
Lower material	1000-denier CORDURA nylon with packcloth lining
Front closure	Offset, double-stitched hook-and-loop with boot lace hooks
Top closure	Camlock
Instep strap	Urethane-coated nylon, replaceable without tools

Performance

The construction logic is simple and has barely changed in years. The leg sections are GORE-TEX over a light 70-denier face fabric, which is tough enough to resist devil’s club and brush but thin enough to breathe and dry out on a warm afternoon. The foot panel is a different animal: 1000-denier CORDURA lined with coated packcloth, with the coating sewn to face the CORDURA so boot abrasion doesn’t scrape it off. That’s the zone that meets ski edges, crampon snags and rocks, and owners who use them hard report that it holds up. One Alaska power lineman wears his daily all winter. A wildlife biologist on REI’s site describes relying on the Expedition version for nearly a decade.

Weather protection is the main draw. Trailspace reviewers have waded rivers to mid-shin and come out dry, and testers using them for post-holing and creek crossings report a tight seal at the boot. The hook-and-loop front is double-needle stitched, with a shear tab at the bottom to keep the closure from splitting under strain. Reviewers describe the gaiters as easy to snug down so they don’t ride up or slide around on the boot. They also fit a wide range of footwear: one ExpertVoice reviewer reported that they kept most snow out even with low-cut boots, and AthletiKaty wore them over trail runners through ice and snow with good results. Her caveat applies to every gaiter: the shoe underneath still has to be waterproof, or feet can get wet. Nor are they insulated. Think of them, in her words, as a rain shell for the ankles.

Durability stories are the Crocodile’s real selling point. Owners report pairs lasting five years with only a minor tear patched with duct tape, and a 15-year-old pair in need of nothing more than a new bottom strap. That strap is a replaceable urethane-coated nylon piece that can be swapped on the trail without tools. The recurring complaint is the metal buckle hardware. A review in Outside Bozeman flagged buckle longevity as its one concern, and a retailer’s roundup notes that some owners have had buckles break, which the maker has acknowledged as a quality-control issue. Owners say the newer buckle setup can be repaired with a bit of sewing. The calf cinch can also pop open on slim legs, where excess fabric gathers.

The downsides are the ones the materials imply. CleverHiker, which crowned the Crocodile its best winter gaiter and rated it 4.6 out of 5, lists the cons as heavy, bulky and prone to running large. Its listed weight is 11.1 oz, and its $110 price puts it level with the Rab Latok GORE-TEX, which the same guide lists at 6.5 oz. Fit is a real variable: one long-term owner found the Large roomy over lowland boots and switched to a Medium, while at the other extreme a reviewer with very large calves couldn’t get the Expedition model to close. Try them on with the boots they will actually be worn with.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• GORE-TEX leg sections with a 1000D CORDURA foot panel stand up to crampons, ski edges and brush
• Documented lifespans of five to fifteen years of heavy use
• Instep strap can be replaced without tools
• Secure, easy-to-adjust fit that stays put on steep ground
• Works over everything from mountaineering boots to trail runners

Cons

• 289 g per pair is heavy next to lightweight alternatives such as the 6.5 oz Rab Latok
• Bulky when packed
• Metal buckles have drawn complaints, including a quality-control acknowledgment from the maker
• Runs large; can be roomy over lighter boots
• Uninsulated, and no help if the shoe itself isn’t waterproof

Who Should Buy This

Winter hikers, peak-baggers, mountaineers, backcountry skiers, hunters and anyone bushwhacking through wet, abrasive terrain will get their money’s worth, especially if they wear crampons or snowshoes that would shred a lighter gaiter. Buy them if the plan is to own one pair for a decade. Three-season thru-hikers and fast-and-light summer trail users should look elsewhere: a sub-7 oz gaiter, or none, makes more sense when the main threat is trail grit, not a snowfield.

Verdict

The Crocodile is the durable, repairable, fully waterproof choice for snow and alpine travel, and its long track record backs that up. It is overbuilt for anything milder, and the weight and price show it. For winter and mountaineering use it earns a strong recommendation.