Background Information:
Hopefully if you’re reading this, you’ve already picked up a pair of Heidi Garner Gaiters and want to learn more about them. They became available early 2026, and will be for sale through Heidi’s website and at her pop up at various local races. I do not personally sell her gaiters. But, I make them, and I would love your feedback.
I designed, patterned, cut out and sewed all of the gaiters personally. I’m a local trail runner and I stand behind my product.
Care Instructions
For best results:
- Hand wash in cold water
- Hang to air dry
Avoid a hot dryer —heat will break down the fibers and significantly shorten the life of your gaiters.
While the fabric itself can handle a delicate wash cycle, the gaiters include a large hook that can snag other items in your laundry. For longevity, it’s best to rinse them in the sink or shower and hang them up to dry.
Your gaiters come with 4 pieces of adhesive hook fasteners, place one at the back of each shoe as shown. Put them on the sole, not the fabric part of the shoe, it will stay on much longer.
Which Foot?
The regular gaiters are not left/right specific and can be worn on either foot.
The zipper gaiters are left/right specific. The zipper goes on the outer side of the foot to help prevent chafing.
Jump to zipper gaiter specific information.
We value transparency: we tell you what you’re getting, how it’s made, and why materials were chosen.
Fabric Information
The fabric used is K-DEER Athletic White Micro Nylon Spandex. It is moisture-wicking, breathable, and feels cool and almost weightless against the skin. You may even forget you’re wearing gaiters at all.
This lightweight fabric is ideal for hot environments, because it allows heat to escape better than heavier fabrics.
Heidi’s Cactus theme artwork on the fabric
Sustainability & Sourcing
Heidi Garner Gaiters are made from K-DEER Athletic White Micro Nylon Spandex, a deadstock fabric (see blog post: What Is Deadstock Fabric and Why We Use It). I personally design, pattern, and sew everything. Items are sewn in small batches in my home studio—or sometimes at my kitchen table.
The fabric was sourced from Surge Fabric, a small, family-owned business based in Lebanon, Missouri. They specialize in sourcing deadstock fabric from designers.
Based on my research, K-DEER was a U.S.-based yoga-wear brand that closed after supply-chain issues during the pandemic. I initially purchased just six yards of this fabric—the total available at the time. Later, I was able to acquire another 30 yards, but once this fabric is gone, it’s gone.
If you love the cool, lightweight, ultra-soft feel of these gaiters, I recommend grabbing another pair while they’re available—this fabric won’t be around forever. Available at https://heidigarnerstudio.com
Zipper Gaiters – specific information
These are the gaiters I have always wanted and no one makes.
Zipper gaiters are also available on Heidi’s website and at local races. They feature Heidi Garner’s original artwork.
They include a zipper that allows you to put them on and take them off without removing your shoes.
Features:
- We use the same lightweight micro nylon spandex fabric as our regular gaiters. Molded plastic zippers reduce the risk of dirt and debris clogging the zipper teeth.
- We added a soft fabric facing behind the zipper, so your skin never touches the zipper and your ankle stays protected.
I’ve personally trail-tested these gaiters, and they are comfortable and functional.
They come in two sizes:
- Medium / Small
- Medium / Large
The fabric is very stretchy and will fit several sizes.
For reference, I wear a women’s size 9.5 shoe and have an 8.25″ ankle. I can wear both sizes, but I prefer the Medium / Small for basic runs, if I was doing a long ultra where my ankles might swell I would prefer the Medium / lLarge.
Why don’t other companies make gaiters with zippers?
Basic gaiters cost less to make. Zipper gaiters are more expensive, time-consuming and complicated. Separating zippers are made for jackets, not shoes. They don’t come in the short lengths required for this application. So, I shorten each zipper by hand, removing individual teeth and install new zipper stops.
It takes 5x longer to make zipper gaiters and have more than triple the component parts. But I want these, I believe you do too. They cost more, but they are worth every penny.
Why I make gaiters with zippers:
Making gaiters with zippers is a deliberate choice. where I put the trail community over profits. They cost more and take much longer to make. But, the functionality and comfort are worth it. I want zipper gaiters for myself—so I decided to make them for everyone.
On a personal note:
I always forget to put my gaiters on before my shoes. The zipper design fixes that completely—no unlacing, no taking shoes off, just zip them on and go. These are the gaiters I want, and now I’m making them for you.
Feedback:
These are fairly new products and we would love any feedback you have about them, that’s the only way I can improve them. Please leave a comment on our feedback page, or contact me directly at Achievementrandg@icloud.com.
Return to Home Page