AR Gaiters

Our first hectare - and halfway to the second!

A few months ago, in partnership with the Mouse-free Marion Project (MFM), we created a custom AR Gaiters print for Mini and Hiking AR Gaiters. For every pair that you buy, we donate an amount to MFM. This project raises funds towards the eradication of the mice on Marion Island that are decimating nesting bird populations (as well as vegetation and insect species).

One of their fundraising initiatives is 'Sponsor a hectare'. The island is just less than 30,000 hectares in size and 45% of hectares have been sponsored (each block on the grid represents 100 hectares). With hikers and birders choosing the MFM print in April and May, we've been able to complete the sponsorship of our first hectare and we are halfway towards our second.

We will have more stock of the MFM AR Gaiters next week and we have also added a Mouse-free Marion P Cloth to our line-up. The albatross on the design is really sweet (and I like to believe that these AR Gaiters give birders good luck).

BirdLife South Africa Mouse-Free Marion

Our town of George in the Western Cape has been hit by a big wind storm. Our town has been through quite an experience with trees and power lines down. We have been without power today and it is expected that we may have no power for a few days. This will affect our ability to respond to you (flat laptops, inverters, phones...).

If our responses to your orders and emails are delayed, please be aware that we will respond as soon as we can.

Lisa & Liz

Nicol and his team took part in the inaugural Expedition Tevrede 60km adventure race last weekend. Held in the Bloemfontein area at the same time as a storm rolled through the region. Knowing it would be wet and muddy, he went for our waterproof Bush AR Gaiters.

"The gaiters worked 100% . All was wet and plenty of mud and it did its job👍" he messaged after the race.

Nicol and his two friends Dane and Linese were inexperienced adventure racers going into this event. They had the fortune of being joined by experienced racer and Race Director Franco, who taught them a lot about navigation, racing, planning and transitions during the event.

The team accomplished the unexpected for a team of mostly newbies: they won!

Congratulations team and also to the race organisers on organising their first event. We look forward to seeing many more from you 🌟

This is a first. What a great invention

UBC launches world’s first mushroom-powered waterless toilet - News | UBC Applied Science The MycoToilet, developed by a team including UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture Associate Professor Joseph Dahmen, turns human waste into nutrient-rich compost and features a modern, sustainable design.

If you have a dog (or friends with dogs) and you are in the Cape Town - Stellenbosch region, this is for you!

On Tuesday, 16 June (public holiday), Strand Agility is hosting 🐾 Amazing Race: Dog Edition 🐾 at the Delvera Wine Farm in Stellenbosch.

This is a team event (4 people + 2 dogs) that features fun challenge stations, teamwork, and plenty of laughs – all while raising funds for their new facility fence.

From agility-inspired obstacles to fun, unexpected challenges, every station will push your team to collaborate and problem-solve – all while having an absolute blast. You can expect race-style checkpoints with clues and tasks, a mix of physical, mental, and dog-focused challenges with points-based scoring to determine the winning team.

We've donated Mini AR Gaiters for a team prize, which you could be lucky enough to win.

More info on the Quicket entry platform. https://www.quicket.co.za/events/369951-amazing-race-dog-edition/ #/

With thanks to Vicki for roping us in. In her email to us she added, "I have a pair of your dog print AR Gaiters and just love it".

Sunette's message has absolutely made our hearts soar.

"I bought my first pair of AR gaiters almost 10yrs ago at a trail run @ The Dome in Parys (Vrystaat). A bit faded but I am still using them today on every hike in the Western Cape Mountains," Sunette wrote.

"I just got two brand new pairs... For Hiking and Desert. Can't wait to use them in the Fish River Canyon next month!"

We remember this print and also our old fabric labels, which we changed to silicone labels and later to the woven fabric labels that we currently use. We are also super impressed that Sunette has been using her original pair of AR Gaiters for 10 years! That's a long-lasting product for you.

Thank you for your message and photos Sunette. We wish you another 10 years (and more!) of hiking adventures with your AR Gaiters

Derek ordered three pairs of Mini AR Gaiters over the weekend. Ever interested in what our customers are up to, we asked him where he was going with his friends.

"I look forward to giving these gaiters to my fellow hikers. We're going in July! Can't wait!" Derek wrote.

And then he added, "P.S. My AR Gaiters are still going strong after three years and one FRC - they're great quality!"

His friends are fortunate to be receiving this thoughtful, useful, long-lasting gift of AR Gaiters from Derek ⭐

Super-dooper congratulations to our friend Gwen on her excellent run at Marathon Des Sables. This 7-day, 272km, staged ultramarathon event, the 'Granddaddy' of self-sufficient, staged ultras, wrapped up today.

Gwen sent us this photo and message tonight from the Sahara Desert.

"Finished MDS today and Desert AR Gaiters were SUPERB! In 270k of Sahara, I didn’t need to stop to get sand out of my shoes even once. Just wanted to let you know 😁"

Starting with another 1500 runners, Gwen steadily climbed through the field and we delighted in seeing her gain positions from in the 500s going into Stage 3 to finish 325th overall! In addition, she finished as the 5th placed woman in her age category.

Gwen ran consistently throughout, and especially on the 100km Stage 5 where gained places at every checkpoint.

Rest up and safe travels home Gwen 🌟