Trouser Twists

[HorseGuy]

Has anyone here ever used trouser twists (aka twisters, trouser elastics or ankle ties) who would be able to share their experience of them? The bottom of my trousers often get damp when walking through long grass and I wondered if these might help.

 

[John Fenna]

I often use them with combat boots and they help keep my trousers a bit drier... I also used them in the jungle to help keep out leeches - with mixed results!

 

[Chris]

Yes, they're used as a matter of course in the Armed Forces. They probably won't help at all with long grass if it goes up to the top of your boot level, you'd be better off with gaiters.

 

[Pattree]

In my hiking days I used to wear gaiters. These are held in position by my boot laces and are comfortable as well as effective.

When cutting bracken from around young tree I would tie bailer twine around my shins - but this was because my sickle often hit ant and wasp nests. The twine prevented any insects getting too high!!

 

[John Fenna]

I agree - gaiters are the go to if you have shorter leg boots or the grass is very long
For very long grass/rain I used to wear "leggaiters" - gaiters crossed with chaps that fixed to your waist belt!
I do not know if you can still find these...

 

[HorseGuy]

So if gaiters are what are used to keep trouser cuffs dry what are trouser twists for?

 

[Chris]

So if gaiters are what are used to keep trouser cuffs dry what are trouser twists for?

In the military it's for the sake of uniform standards, to keep your trousers from going down over your boots.

It's possible it'd keep them dry in short grass like one might have in the back garden, but you did ask about long grass.

 

[HorseGuy]

The grass is not all that long to be fair. Mostly quite short actually but few patches come up just above my ankles.

 

[Damascus]

Twists, are a military thing more than anything, used them all the time. Now it’s gaiters, even cheap ones will keep your trouser dry and secondly clean!

 

[C_Claycomb]

I have used gaiters, but find them too warm in warmer weather. I have used elastic cords, and even have some sewn in to some hems. Not in the military. I was shown by an enforces chap as a way to keep crawlies out and keep trousers from flapping around. With short boots, the elastic means a ring of sock is exposed, which may or may not suit everyone.

Never really noticed them keeping trousers drier or cleaner.

 

[Herman30]

Never really noticed them keeping trousers drier or cleaner.

They really have no use in civilian world. Only for soldiers to keep the boots bloused.

 

[Chris]

There's also a quirk of physics and logic whereby once you have used them once, you will never have a matching pair of twisties ever again.

 

[Harold Godwinson]

Used them all the time on the army mate, both twisters and elastic bands.

They do help stopping the bottoms of your trousers getting soiled to a degree but not enough to make a big difference you'd be better with gaiters or just rolling up your trousers if somewhere particularly muddy... Suffice to say I don't use them now I'm not required to as a civilian.

 

[HorseGuy]

There's also a quirk of physics and logic whereby once you have used them once, you will never have a matching pair of twisties ever again.

They must be governed by Newton's third law of socks - "Every paired item of clothing must never have an equal and identical matching item."

 

[Billy-o]

There are lighter gaiters now. Lots of variation out there too. Kahtoola, Raab, Outdoor Research etc. etc. These are from Altra. I found them good, but don't use them.

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[grainweevil]

Aussie sock savers seem to be along similar lines.

 

[Keith_Beef]

Aussie sock savers seem to be along similar lines.

Those will stop bits of hay and straw from sticking to your socks, and stop sand from going in the top of your boots.

 

[grainweevil]

Presumably waterproof ones would also stop water? Dunno, never tried them, but they recently went onto the increasingly precarious pile of "things to get round to try making some time".

 

[lou1661]

Presumably waterproof ones would also stop water? Dunno, never tried them, but they recently went onto the increasingly precarious pile of "things to get round to try making some time".

I made a pair in some Ventile material, they do keep the damp out and keep seeds out of your socks!

 

[John Fenna]

I have made lots of gaiters over the years - and there is a pattern in one of my books ...

Thread '"A basic Guide to Making your own Outdoor Activities Clothing " facsimile edition'

Jan 13, 2014

Thanks to public interest I have prepared a facsimile edition of my long out of print "A basic Guide to Making your own Outdoor Activities Clothing " book.
Unfortunately the original work was lost when the printer closed down and sold the business, equally unfortunately my personal copies were loaned out - and never returned!
It has been suggested to me that some members of this site might like to own copies and that I produce PDF facsimile edition, scanned from a copy given to me by a member of this site.

The booklet has several sections -
A - Intro
B - Seams and methods
C-...

• John Fenna
• Replies: 37
• Forum: Makers Market

Simple "stop tous" or short gaiters could be made just by adapting the pattern...