First, Galicia is, from what I understand, nearly always wet in one way or another. Folks who walk through that lovely, lush area, without getting wet must be living right.
Second, it isn't just about the rain coming down, it is also what (and how deep) the "stuff" is that you are walking through. We share the paths we walk with a variety of God's creatures. The lovely aroma of cow manure on your pant legs wafting through the room is hard to beat
. I spent a week - off and on - last spring walking with an Anglican priest who wore gaiters (his second time on the
Camino Frances) and I must confess I was a little bit envious as he navigated through and around mud, snow and cow droppings. He also just looked cool, so that may have been part of why I was jealous.
Now, having said this, I do not plan on taking gaiters with me when I walk this April/May. Instead, I will do what I did last time: make sure I have the right - and right amount - of socks to change into and take an extra set of insoles for my Moab Ventilators (non-waterproof). I do apply a waterproof material to my shoes that, perhaps, helps a bit, but continues to let the shoes breathe in a way the manufacturer-waterproofed version of the shoe does not. On the wet, rainy, snowy days (I had five of those days last April/May) I can change socks and swap out my insoles to keep going.
When all is said and done, I think the gaiters are bit like an insurance policy. The question is do you want to pay the price (9.7 oz) with the thought you won't really want or need to use them. Although, as I said, the gators look pretty cool
.
