This morning for the 17 zillionth time I noticed somebody mentioned having those wrap-around-your-ankles-to-keep-gunk-out things and getting the spelling wrong. Please, world, indulge me on this one: it’s G-A-I-T-E-R. Having to do with gait, not large reptiles that haunt Florida swamps.

Speaking of gaiters, here are a couple cool Wikipedia facts:

On motorcycles


Gaiters are pleated rubber tubes enclosing the front suspension tubes of some motorcycles with telescopic front forks. Gaiters protect the sliding parts of the front suspension from dirt and water.

In the church

Gaiters formed a part of the everyday clerical clothing of bishops and archdeacons of the Anglican Communion until the middle part of the twentieth century. They were made of black cotton, wool, or silk, and buttoned up the sides, reaching to just below the knee where they would join with black breeches. Gaiters would be worn with a clerical apron, a type of short cassock reaching to just above the knee. The purpose of this vesture was originally practical, since archdeacons and bishops were presumed to be mobile, riding horses to various parts of a diocese or archdeaconry. In latter years, the clothing took on a more symbolic dimension.

I used to use gaiters all the time, till I figured out I could get much the same effect by wearing long pants. They’re more of a necessity on muddy hikes and when snowshoeing, but otherwise they’re just one thing to overheat my feet.