In a world of Gucci gear stores, online shops and high tech equipment it’s hard to imagine the days when such things did not exist …… not so long ago. Mountaineers would use everyday workwear when heading for the hills and where possible this would be supplemented with surplus military equipment which found its way into what few outdoor shops there were, or in the case of out local town, Fort William, it was the local ironmongers who got an occasional consignment of ex military gear which was eagerly awaited by the local outdoor fraternity. We’re pretty sure that’s how this old pair of gaiters transited from military to mountain since they arrived in a box of old climbing gear from a lady called Pam Cain, a long time member of The Ladies Scottish Climbing Club. This type of gaiter, often known as an anklet or spat, first appeared with the new military webbing in 1937, though it seems that the leather(rather than webbing) straps came later around 1942/3 which is probably when this pair were made. The rather ‘woozy’ picture opposite shows a military arrow above some letters which are probably the manufacturers initials, and a figure ‘2’ which we assume is the size. So, another interesting addition to our collection with a fine pedigree.