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Weather Resistant, Durable Protection for Buggy Backcountry and Trails — the Insect Shield Rocky Mountain High Gaiter II is made for those who need serious protection from debris, biting insects, and unpredictable terrain. Built with tough, PU-coated 420D packcloth, these gaiters stand up to abrasion and wet conditions while keeping your legs dry and comfortable. Insect Shield® tech takes things a step further, repelling mosquitoes, ticks, and other pests. Tough and fully equipped for long days on buggy trails, the Insect Shield Rocky Mountain High Gaiter II lets you focus on the trail ahead — not what's crawling around your ankles.
Weather Resistant, Durable Protection
"Weather Resistant, Durable Protection for Buggy Backcountry and Trails" — the Insect Shield Rocky Mountain High Gaiter II is designed for the hiker, hunter, and backcountry traveler who needs reliable leg protection from debris, moisture, and biting insects. The combination of weather resistance, durability, and built-in bug protection makes these gaiters ideal for the toughest trails.
PU-Coated 420D Packcloth
"Built with tough, PU-coated 420D packcloth" — the 420D (denier) packcloth is a durable, abrasion-resistant fabric that's coated with PU (polyurethane) for water resistance. The 420D weight is the right balance of durability and weight for hiking gaiters — heavy enough to stand up to abrasion from rocks, brush, and boots, light enough to not add noticeable weight to the hiker. The PU coating sheds light rain, snow, and wet vegetation.
Insect Shield® Bug Protection
"Insect Shield® tech takes things a step further, repelling mosquitoes, ticks, and other pests" — Insect Shield® is a treatment that bonds permethrin (a synthetic insect repellent) to the fabric fibers. The treatment is designed to last through the life of the garment and repel mosquitoes, ticks, ants, flies, chiggers, and midges. Essential protection for hiking, hunting, and outdoor activities in buggy terrain where biting insects are a real problem. Note: Insect Shield® is odorless to humans but highly effective against insects.
Hypalon Instep Strap
"A Hypalon instep strap" — the instep strap runs under the boot and keeps the gaiter secured to the foot. Hypalon is a durable, weather-resistant synthetic rubber that's strong enough to handle the abrasion of constant boot contact and the flex of walking. The instep strap is the primary anchor that keeps the gaiter from riding up the leg while walking.
Reinforced Boot Lace Hooks
"Reinforced boot lace hooks keep them locked in tight" — the front closure uses reinforced boot lace hooks that attach to the boot laces, providing a secure secondary anchor. The hooks keep the front of the gaiter tight against the boot, preventing debris and water from entering at the top. The reinforced construction ensures the hooks don't fail under repeated use.
Hook-and-Loop Front Closure
"Hook-and-loop front closure ensure a snug, custom fit" — the front of the gaiter uses a wide hook-and-loop (Velcro) closure that allows the rider to adjust the fit to their specific boot shape and personal preference. The hook-and-loop is easy to operate with cold or gloved hands, and the wide strip distributes pressure evenly across the front of the gaiter for a secure, comfortable fit.
Abrasion Resistance
"Stand up to abrasion" — the 420D packcloth with PU coating is built to handle the abrasion of rocky trails, dense brush, and constant boot contact. The gaiter is designed to maintain its integrity through repeated use in challenging terrain, with the packcloth and reinforced construction preventing premature wear.
Wet Conditions Performance
"While keeping your legs dry and comfortable" — the PU coating on the 420D packcloth repels water from rain, snow, and wet vegetation, keeping the rider's lower legs dry and comfortable during stream crossings, wet grass, and dewy vegetation. The gaiter doesn't have a fully waterproof membrane (it's a water-resistant shell, not a fully waterproof boot), but it handles wet conditions well.
Outdoor Research Quality and Infinite Guarantee®
Built by Outdoor Research — a Seattle-based outdoor gear company with decades of experience in technical apparel — the Insect Shield Rocky Mountain High Gaiter II is backed by OR's Infinite Guarantee® (lifetime guarantee against defects in materials and workmanship). The combination of durable packcloth, Insect Shield treatment, and quality construction makes these gaiters a long-term investment for serious backcountry use.
General
Category
Hiking Gaiters (with Insect Shield bug protection)
Type
Weather-resistant gaiter with built-in bug protection
Use
Hiking, backpacking, hunting, buggy trails, wet/brushy terrain
Construction
Material
PU-coated 420D packcloth (durable, abrasion-resistant, water-resistant)
Insect Protection
Insect Shield® treatment (permethrin-based, repels mosquitoes, ticks, flies, chiggers, midges)
Features
Under-Boot Strap
Hypalon instep strap (durable, weather-resistant, keeps gaiter anchored to foot)
Front Closure
Hook-and-loop (Velcro) front closure with reinforced boot lace hooks
Lace Hooks
Reinforced (attach to boot laces for secure front anchor)
Fit
Snug, custom fit that stays put through every mile
Sizing
Size Range
Unisex sizing (specific range available on the OR product page — typically XS/S/M/L/XL)
Sizing Method
By boot size (the gaiter needs to fit over the boot and around the calf)
Cleaning
Wipe down the gaiters with a damp cloth to remove dirt, mud, salt, and debris. For tougher stains, hand wash in cold water with a mild technical fabric wash. Avoid harsh detergents, bleach, or fabric softeners, which can damage the PU coating, the 420D packcloth, and the Insect Shield treatment. Rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry.
Drying
Allow the gaiters to air dry at room temperature after use. The 420D packcloth dries relatively quickly. Remove any mud or debris from the inside of the gaiter before storing. Don't use direct heat (radiator, hair dryer, dryer) to dry the gaiters — high heat can damage the PU coating, the Hypalon instep strap, and the Insect Shield treatment.
Insect Shield Treatment Reapplication
The Insect Shield treatment is bonded to the fabric fibers and designed to last through the life of the garment. The treatment does not need to be reapplied under normal use conditions — it's not a surface spray that wears off. If you notice the bug protection is reduced (e.g., you're getting more bug bites than expected), it may be time to replace the gaiters or use a permethrin spray on other gear.
Storage
Store the gaiters in a cool, dry place when not in use. The gaiters can be stored flat or rolled up. Avoid leaving the gaiters in direct sunlight for extended periods — UV exposure can degrade the PU coating and the Insect Shield treatment over time. Don't store in a hot car — extreme heat can damage the materials and adhesives.
Repair
Small tears or holes in the packcloth can be repaired with a patch kit (like Tenacious Tape) or by an outdoor gear repair service. For Hypalon instep strap damage or hook-and-loop closure wear, contact Outdoor Research for warranty service — the Infinite Guarantee® covers defects in materials and workmanship for the life of the product.
Shipping Policy
Components:
All component items (wheels, drivetrains, suspension, brakes, etc.) ship within 4-7 business days of purchase.
Bicycles:
Complete bikes typically ship within 2–3 weeks due to build, tuning, and inspection times. You will receive tracking information as soon as your order is ready to ship.
Gear & Apparel:
Outdoor Gear and apparel orders (helmets, jerseys, gloves, etc.) ship within 5-21 business days. Please reach out to us with the most up to date deliveries times as they vary per Manufacturer.
Returns & Exchanges:
If you received the wrong size or wish to exchange an item, it must be returned in original condition—unused, uninstalled, and with all packaging intact.
For full details, please see our Refund Policy before initiating a return.
