Yeah maybe not then. Any recomdations on a cheapsih ive seen these then at least i wont be upset when they go in the bin!
Walking Gaiters
Monarch who advertise on this site do their Munro gaiters, the aren't cheapish but they are good quality. The only really, really annoying thing about them is the zip which is a little small in the teeth and so very hard to pull up especially when bending it around boots etc. plus with a bit of dirt plus I'm an old bloke and can't bend over like I used to. However, I have a suspicion that they've upgraded the zips since the very early models I got and it isn't like the zips break, they are just a pain to get on and I will highlight that this problem isn't confined to the Monarch gaiters, it is just they seem somewhat worse than others.
Monarch Gaiters
I've tried the cheap walking ones, and in fact I've even tried the rather overpriced walking ones, and they were complete junk. Finding this out cost more than a pair of the Monarch gaiters would. They are probably great for showing your mates you've got all the gear as you struggle along the path in Richmond Park but that's their limit. There are other advantages with supporting people who support your sport as well, maybe not your primary buying factor but one worth keeping in mind.
Anyone use army surplus gaiters? Ive had gaiters before and doesnt seem to matter how good you get they can and do get damaged so thought about going down the route of army canvas ones. Breathable and must be tough enough!
I use surplus snow gaiters like these:
https://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/arctic-snow-gaiter-genuine-british-1049052.html
The zips are seriously chunky so they open and close even when full of crud. I cut the rubber straps off the bottom as the gaiters material is stiff enough to keep them in place without straps. They look and feel like heavy cordura with gore-tex, not sure if they are. Had them years -they're bombproof.
Hello Murph. What like these?
View attachment 99699
The Army don't use gaiters any longer, they went back, after gaiters as you probably know to puttees. Puttees is "one size fits all" whereas there are three or four sizes of gaiters. So I suppose that supply was simpler. So you may need to shop around. They do also wear, or rather fray, on the bottom edge. I don't know what is worn now with the modern high leg type boots. Just elastics I suppose? I don't know.
Yes they are tough and the best way to treat them is to polish the outside surfaces..even the canvas...with black Kiwi, Cherry Blossom or similar black shoe polish. Or if you wear brown boots the same colour of polish as used for the boots. Polish NOT dubbin. But...
Unless you've the knack of how to use them they are a PITA. The knack is to have the lowermost strap loose so that it can sort of ride up and down the boot and use your elastics to make a fold over in the cuff of your trousers so that they go foldover over the top of the uppermost strap and buckle. It stops the gaiter turning.
If you wear the things with both straps and buckles over the top of your trousers muck and mess can ingress via the top also they make you look daft worn over trousers that way! I guess there's no choice otherwise if you wear them over knee stockings with plus fours and etc.
FWIW you may find that puttees are easier to find at surplus shops and a lot less "faff". Hope it helps? Oh make sure you've got your button stick handy to keep the buckles and end pieces shiny bright if they are the old brass sort.
I think you might find it a long time since they were issued. Quite possibly more than fifty years ago. These are what the OP was probably referring to.These are the ones that I meant.