Look up gaiter in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Hiking gaiters

Gaiters are garments worn over the shoe and lower pants leg, and used primarily as personal protective equipment; similar garments used primarily for display are spats. Originally, gaiters were made of leather. Today, gaiters for walking are commonly made of plasticized synthetic cloth such as polyester. Gaiters for use on horseback continue to be made of leather.

Terminology[link]

This section may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. No cleanup reason has been specified. Please help improve this section if you can; the talk page may contain suggestions. (February 2009)

In Army parlance, a gaiter covers leg and bootlacing; a legging covers only the leg. In RAF parlance, gaiter includes legging. The American Army during World War I^[1] and World War II had leggings, which were gaiters. Above the knee spatterdashes were cotton or canvas, as were many gaiters of varying lengths thereafter. Leather gaiters were rare in military, though sometimes a calf-length cotton gaiter had leather kneecaps added. Leggings, however, were very often made of leather, but also canvas.

On foot[link]

Typical gaiters as used by infantrymen in the 1900s

Gaiters are a type of protective clothing for a person's ankles and legs below the knee. Gaiters are worn when walking, hiking, running (especially orienteering and rogaining) outdoors amongst dense underbrush or in snow, with or without snowshoes. Heavy gaiters are often worn when using crampons, to protect the leg and ankle from the spikes of the opposite foot. Gaiters strap over the hiking boot and around the person's leg to provide protection from branches and thorns and to prevent mud, snow, etc. from entering the top of the boot.

Gaiters are similar to puttees, a part of numerous military uniforms. Gaiters known as jambieres (derived from the French word Jambe for legs, hence leggings) were part of the uniform of Zouave infantry regiments.

On horseback[link]

Over-the-knee gaiters worn by a Chilean rodeo rider

During the 19th century gaiters for riding typically were known as riding gaiters, distinguishing them from the other gaiters that were in general use.^{[citation needed]} today, Half-chaps are a type of gaiter worn by equestrians. Most forms fit over the calf. These are intended to protect the rider's leg from wear by the stirrup leathers and other saddle parts.^{[citation needed]} Modern styles usually have a zipper or hook and loop fasteners on the outside of the leg.

Half chaps and jodhpur riding boot

Gaiters extending over the calf are a less expensive and often more comfortable or practical alternative to tall riding boots. Historically, such gaiters were a part of numerous cavalry field uniforms.^{[citation needed]} In the United States today, gaiters commonly are called "half chaps" or "chapettes" and are worn over short paddock boots by English-style riders. Generally, they are not seen in horse show competition, except at beginning levels. They are seen in endurance races.

In Latin America, from Chile to Mexico, there is another traditional type of gaiter, which extends over the knee and is still in wide use today.^{[citation needed]} Over-the-knee gaiters are intended to protect the rider's leg from injury by vegetation and other animals. Usually, they lace, buckle, or zipper behind the leg.

The Bishop of Lichfield, in Vanity Fair, 1897

In the Anglican church[link]

Gaiters formed a part of the everyday clerical clothing of bishops and archdeacons of the Church of England until the middle part of the twentieth century. They were made of black cotton, wool, or silk, and buttoned up the sides, reaching to just below the knee where they would join with black breeches. Gaiters would be worn with a clerical apron, a type of short cassock reaching to just above the knee. The purpose of this vesture was originally practical, since archdeacons and bishops were presumed to be mobile, riding horses to various parts of a diocese or archdeaconry. In latter years, the clothing took on a more symbolic dimension.^[2]

See also[link]

• Chaps
• Greave
• Kyahan
• Leg warmer
• Puttee
• Neck gaiter

References[link]

Gloria Gaither
Gloria Gaither, August 2004
Background information
Birth name	Gloria Lee Sickal
Born	(1942-03-04) March 4, 1942 (age 70) Michigan, United States
Genres	Christian music
Years active	1962–present
Associated acts	Bill Gaither Bill Gaither Trio
Website	www.gaither.com

Gloria Gaither (born March 4, 1942) is a Christian songwriter, author, speaker, editor, and academic. She is the wife of Bill Gaither and also sang in the Bill Gaither Trio, one of the most influential groups in recent Christian music.

Early Years[link]

She was born Gloria Lee Sickal in 1942 in Michigan, a daughter of pastor Lee Sickal and Dorothy Sickal. She spent most of her childhood and high school career in the Battle Creek area of Michigan, working a brief time for the Kellogg Company. When Sickal graduated from high school, she attended Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana. There, she triple majored in English, French, and Sociology. Upon her graduation, she took a job at Alexandria Monroe High School as a French teacher. There, she met Bill Gaither, who was teaching English at the time. She married Gaither in 1962, and they began writing songs recreationally. By the end of the 1960s, Gloria, Bill, and his brother Danny Gaither were touring steadily, as the Bill Gaither Trio.

Recent Projects[link]

After touring with the Bill Gaither Trio, Gaither drew her focus to the Gaither Homecoming series. She has been an active presence in every video production. Gaither is currently the scriptwriter and narrator for the Homecoming series. In 1991, she attended Ball State University and received a Master of Arts in Literature. She taught as an adjunct professor at Anderson University for periods in the late 80s and late 90s. In 1996, she spearheaded the creation of Gaither Family Reources^[1] in Alexandria, Indiana, and currently serves as co-owner and managing director. In 2002, Gaither launched Homecoming: The Magazine,^[2] and she currently acts as writer, interviewer, and contributing editor.

Awards[link]

• Dove Awards
  • 1984
    • Song of the Year: "Upon This Rock" - Gloria Gaither, Dony McGuire
  • 1985
    • Songwriter of the Year
  • 1987
    • Song of the Year: "In the Name of the Lord" - Phil McHugh, Gloria Gaither, Sandi Patti Helvering
  • 1992
    • Southern Gospel Album: Reunion: A Gospel Homecoming Celebration - Bill Gaither, Gloria Gaither
  • 1996
    • Gospel Music Hall of Fame
• Grammy Awards
  • 1999
    • Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album: Kennedy Center Homecoming - Bill and Gloria Gaither and their Homecoming Friends
  • 2001
    • Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album: Bill & Gloria Gaither Present a Billy Graham Music Homecoming - Bill & Gloria Gaither and the Homecoming Friends
• Academic Awards
  • 2002
    • Indiana Wesleyan University Honorary doctorate recipient^[3]
  • 2010
    • Indiana Wesleyan University Society of World Changers inductee^[4]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website