There is an endless variety of concepts and names in the world of fashion. Many of them are familiar, but not everyone can immediately answer, for example, the question: gaiters - what are they and what do they look like. In fact, this is a very practical and comfortable thing. They are recommended for hiking, mountaineering, tourism, winter sports.
History of appearance
Leggings are a knitted or sewn product made of thick material. They are considered a kind of cover that is put on over shoes to protect them from adverse weather conditions. The products do not have a sole. On the side, as a rule, there are buttons or other types of fasteners.
To understand what leggings are and what they are intended for, you should first take a look back at history. The name comes from the city of Ghadames, located in Libya. It was there that they produced a special type of leather that was used to create leggings. Initially, this wardrobe item was used exclusively as military equipment.
Reliable sources indicate the presence of the described items in the troops of Ancient Rome, Italy, France, Japan, and America. In many countries, leggings are still used to equip soldiers. A striking example is the Royal Scots Regiment.
Shoe covers gradually began to penetrate into other areas of life. For example, at the beginning of the 20th century they were part of the attire of bishops and protodeacons of the Anglican Church. By the end of the 19th century, leggings had become a civilian fashion. Initially, they were used as protection from bad weather, worn over boots. Then they began to be worn as a stylish decorative accessory by movie stars.
Today, leggings are popular among athletes and tourists, performing their direct function of protection. Although designers have attempted to introduce this wardrobe element into everyday life, they have not succeeded in achieving mass use. Only occasionally can you meet people on the street with leggings on over their shoes. At the same time, both male and female images are most often distinguished by extravagance. Accordingly, the purpose of use is purely decorative design.
Characteristics
Leggings are designed to keep you warm. They are worn over shoes, provide good warmth and protect from moisture and frost. In order for all functions to be performed to the fullest extent, this wardrobe item should be carefully selected, taking into account all the subtleties. The height of the product is very important. If you are pursuing a purely decorative goal, you can afford a low version ending above the ankle. If you are going to walk in bad weather or go on a long hiking trip, you should opt for high covers that provide maximum protection from moisture and cold.
For short walks, jogging in the park after rain, lightweight, breathable material is recommended. But for climbing a mountain or a multi-day hike, you should buy gaiters made of thick, wear-resistant fabric, perhaps even with insulation. This option will provide full protection not only for shoes, but also for your feet.
The size of the gaiters usually matches the shoes, but you should try on the product before purchasing. This will prevent discomfort during subsequent use. Experts recommend fully fastening all available fasteners and walking. The right size is the key to comfort.
You should also pay attention to the features of the cut. There are narrow and wide gaiters. There may be fasteners at the top to adjust the tightness of the fit to the body. As a decorative element, you can give preference to a tight-fitting model made of elastic fabric, which will emphasize the beauty of the calves.
How are they different from golf socks?
Very often, leggings are compared to golf socks, but this is fundamentally wrong. The covers do not have a sole. They cover only the bootleg, without touching the foot. The product is fixed at the bottom by means of a strap. In addition, gaiters differ in a variety of heights:
- Low products end above the ankle. They are most often used for walking or running on roads with many small stones. Women's models of this height are especially popular.
- Medium ones reach the middle of the calf. Length – approximately 20-30 cm. Provide more serious protection from adverse external factors such as rain and snow.
- High (from 38 to 45 cm) reach the knee. The most suitable option for use in extreme weather conditions, during long hikes.
Another obvious difference between gaiters and golf socks is the fixation at the top of the product. It is possible to use special fasteners in the form of a double loop, cord or belt with a clasp. Each of the options guarantees reliability and safety.
Materials
The material from which the product in question is made plays a primary role when choosing, because leggings are primarily intended to protect against bad weather and low temperatures. Therefore, only the use of high-quality fabric guarantees the expected result. Modern manufacturers are constantly improving the quality of their products by using the most advanced materials:
- Gore-Tex. Membrane fabric, which is distinguished by a laminated coating. Provides excellent protection from moisture, allows air to pass through, is not afraid of rain and snow.
- REI Elements. Membrane material, characterized by tightness. Does not let moisture through, has a breathable effect.
- Cordura. Dense nylon fabric that is resistant to the harshest impacts from ice and rocks. The best option for professional climbers.
- Nylon. Lightweight fabric coated with polyurethane. Recommended for use in low humidity conditions.
- Schoeller. Soft phase-change material. Guarantees protection from moisture, allows air to pass through, repels dirt.
The main criterion of all materials used to create gaiters is durability and high wear resistance. However, one should not forget about comfort. This is due to the property of air permeability, which is inherent in all high-quality fabrics.
Features of sports models
Often people who are far from physical activities wonder about sports gaiters - what they are and where they are used. The main area of use is tourism. There are also products for sports, for example, for football and hockey. The functional purpose is to fix the shields. This wardrobe item is also indispensable when jogging or just active recreation in nature.
There are two types of leggings: knitted and sewn. The first option is suitable for amateurs. Inexpensive material is used in its manufacture. There is usually a seam on the side, the type of knitting of all models is almost identical. The main rule is that the fewer interlacings, the greater the wear resistance. The presence of a wide range of sizes, a variety of colors allows everyone to choose the right option.
Sewn leggings are recommended for professional sports. They are distinguished by increased wear resistance under conditions of systematic physical activity. The products are very comfortable, do not restrict movement, and the elasticity of the material allows for the shields to be firmly fixed. Since a fairly light material is used in the creation, the sewn gaiters are practically weightless.
Video
Photo
