AR Gaiters

Going hiking? Ladies, be sure to pack your AR Gaiters P Cloth. It conveniently clips onto your pack so that it is on hand for when you need a p*e.

With a P Cloth, gone are those days of fumbling for tissues, toilet paper or, worse, wet wipes*, and then having to dispose of these by digging a hole to bury or, better, bagging this to take out with you. Instead, use your P Cloth to dry off, close using the popper to keep the absorbent, anti-microbial inner fabric clean and clip onto your pack. Use again and again and again, even over multiple days, and then wash when convenient.

Unhygienic? Dry p*e doesn't smell and bacteria do not like environments where there is no warmth or moisture. Ah, you prefer to drip dry? P*e on your panties is an awesomely warm and moist environment for bacteria to absolutely thrive. Of the two, a P Cloth is considerably more hygienic.

Visit our website and when you purchase your AR Gaiters remember to add a P Cloth too.

* Why do we hate wet wipes? Most are plastic-containing, long-lasting, and non-compostable. Even those labelled as biodegradable break down into microplastics or take an age to breakdown. They are rarely compostable and left on the ground they're less likely to compost.

Thank you to Tania for her 'Ready to go' photo from the start of The Leopard Trail.

Famous for its natural hot mineral springs, preserved 19th-century Cape Dutch architecture, and outdoor activity offerings, the Little Karoo town of Montagu is also home to the three-day Montagu Trail Festival, which was held this past weekend. They have 15km, 30km and 50km trail running events.

Our friend Annemarie has AR Gaiters, but she always forgets to wear them... That's why the message she sent to us - with this super photo - made our hearts burst with joy

Do you love your AR Gaiters and P Cloth?

We would really appreciate it if you can write a review. You can include special runs or hikes you did, the type of terrain, novel applications or discoveries about wearing AR Gaiters. Photos showing your AR Gaiters are most definitely welcome.

Reviews are not only there to tell prospective customers how wonderful our products and service are... They also share information about trail opportunities, plant ideas and share discoveries.

Thank you (in advance) for taking a minute or two to write a review on our page

Earlier this month, The Leopard Trail opened its bookings for June to September 2027. At AR Gaiters, we meet many hikers heading off to do this beautiful 4-day and 3-night, slack-packing hike. They love the experience for the scenery and terrain, and comfortable accommodation.

We are very proud to make AR Gaiters in our Mini and Hiking models in two customised prints for The Leopard Trail. They also adopted our P Cloths, also in their special print. The Leopard Trail is constantly working to lessen their environmental impact and improve hiker experience. They actively promote the use of our P Cloths for women hikers, specifically, to combat the ever-present scourge of toilet paper litter.

In this video briefing about the trail, our P Cloths get special mention (5:45) - thank you Leopard Trail for your vision and support

Leopard Trail Pre-Hike Briefing The briefing guide given to all hikers at the start of the Leopard ...

Blast from the past... A photo of AR Gaiters' Lisa de Speville at the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon (KAEM) in 2001, the 2nd edition of the race.

"I'm wearing Backpacker gaiters," she says. "They were chunky canvas-type gaiters with velcro opening on the side. They worked well to keep sand and grit and grass seeds out of my shoes, but they were not especially comfortable, especially wearing them with trail shoes and low socks; they were made for hiking boots with high socks."

Lisa had been using these gaiters for adventure racing since a year or two earlier.

She found out about the KAEM event a week before the start, joining this seven-day, six-stage, 250km, self-sufficient ultramarathon with the primary objective of writing a review about a bivvy bag for an adventure sports magazine. It was the 80km, overnight, ultramarathon stage that changed Lisa's life. It was there that she learned that she could run and run and run and run.

"This event was an incredible experience in so many ways as it shaped a lot of what came later for me. Friendships forged then still stand 25 years later," Lisa adds. AR Gaiters would only come into existence two years later.

KAEM no longer exists - the last edition was held in 2024.

In April, Jo did the Salkantey Trek in the Peruvian Andes. Behind her is Humantay Lake, a glacial lake at an elevation of 4,200 meters. Located about three hours northwest of Cusco, the lake it is the starting highlight of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, a spectacular alternative route to the better-known Inca Trail.

Jo's AR Gaiters are well travelled. We think they look right at home on this Peruvian trail. Thank you for sharing your adventure with us, Jo ⭐

Between the Swartberg and Outeniqua Mountains is a small, rugged range called the Kammanassie Mountains. Located near De Rust, and in close access from George and Oudtshoorn, this conservation area is home to mountain fynbos, endemic plants, and a variety of animal, antelope, bird, raptors and insect species.

It is here too that the three-day, four-night Kammanassie Camino is located. The route covers 50 kilometres along gravel roads, jeep tracks and paths through private and state-owned reserves.

This fully-catered slackpacking hike is only hosted for one week each month and is limited to 10 hikers. Although 2026 dates are fully booked, there are some open spots for March and April 2027 (bookings for after April have not yet been opened).

We love how their AR Gaiters turned out; the design speaks to the colours and texture of the area. These AR Gaiters are available at the Bush Camp.

Learn more about this hike by visiting their beautiful website

https://kammanassiecamino.co.za/

There are many interesting hikes around. This is a gem that Eleanor, an avid hiker, shared with us: the overnight trails at the Kgaswane Nature Reserve in Rustenburg. At 25.3km and 19.5km, the Summit and Baviaanskrans routes offer excellent distance through varied, Magaliesberg terrain. There are waterfalls, many animals (especially antelope) and birds, and spectacular highveld scenery.

Accommodation options include a fully-equipped cottage, group camp, and camping sites. As an added bonus, according to the reserve brochure, there is no mobile reception at the campsite (there is reception on the plateau). Day hikers are also welcome.

Interestingly, this reserve was established on the farm Rietvallei, which once belonged to President Paul Kruger. It has expanded over many years to cover 5,300 ha. It was proclaimed a park in 1967.

Eleanor hiked here a few weeks ago and she sent through these super photos. She is wearing her new floral AR Gaiters. Thank you Eleanor. We love seeing the interesting places that you discover.

We love creating customised AR Gaiters designs for trails and events. They are long-lasting, useful and practical mementos of wonderful experiences.

Launched a few months ago, a new multi-day trail is the Crater Camino in the Parys-Vredefort Dome area, only 90-minutes from Jo'burg.

This five-day, four-night slackpacking route covers 85km. Route highlights include passing through a wild olive forest, visiting historic Boer War trenches, rolling bushveld hills, riverine forests, and views of the dramatic crater landscape from high up on the ridges. Plus a variety of game, birds and trees. As a lovely addition, there is a half-hike option on Day 3 where you can cover half of the day's distance by paddling down the Vaal River

The Crater Camino route is open for one week each month, year-round, and your booking includes four nights of accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner, luggage transport between stops, and route support.

Visit the Parys Info and Tourism page for more information and to make bookings. These special AR Gaiters are available at the office on Bree Street in Parys.

https://parysinfoandtourism.co.za/parys-crater-camino/

Parys Info & Tourism

The SA Agulhas II is off! She departed from Cape Town yesterday afternoon and is headed for Marion Island. On board South Africa's only polar research vessel is the team that will conduct the ongoing research for the Mouse-Free Marion Project.

The new team includes (left to right in the photo): Dr Vonica Perold , Santjie du Toit, Dr Sue Tonin, and Lola Singo.

Dr Vonica Perold (MFM Field Assistant) only returned from Marion a few months ago after spending a year on the island. Together with Dr Sue Tonin (MFM Project Assistant Manager and Principle Investigator), they will train the new Field Assistants Santjie du Toit and Lola Singo who will remain on the island until April/May next year.

Kitted out with our special edition Mouse-Free Marion AR Gaiters, the team can look forward to having shoes and socks that are clear of sand, mud, seeds and grit. We've also sent them off with our P Cloths. For days spent out in the field, this will be beneficial for hygiene as well as reducing toilet paper use and waste. When you're stuck on an island in the southern Indian Ocean that is 2160-kilometres southeast of Cape Town, these are both good benefits of P Cloth use.

For every special edition Mouse-Free Marion AR Gaiters and P Cloths ordered, we make a donation to the project. With your support, we have sponsored two hectares and look forward to many more.

We wish the team safe passage and stay on Marion Island.

Mouse-Free Marion