Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Pinnacle Stretch Gaiter

These burly Mountain Hardwear mountaineering gaiters performed equally well with lightweight scrambling shoes.

Maximum Protection

Though designed for high-altitude mountaineering, the knee-high Pinnacle Stretch also excels as a do-it-all gaiter for burly treks. During an especially sodden week in the Canadian Rockies, not rain, rocks, snow, mud, or even patches of persistent devil’s club could penetrate or tear the three-layer Conduit waterproof/breathable fabric.

With a wide cut and built-in stretch, the Pinnacle easily fits over mountaineering boots, but a tailored instep and effective urethane straps ensure a snug fit on lightweight scrambling shoes as well. All that, and they’re relatively lightweight for the protection. $70; 10 oz.; mountainhardwear.com

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