Versatile, integrated gaiter
An article of footwear includes a tongue, a collar located at an upper portion of the footwear, and a gaiter having a lower portion integrally fixed to the collar of the footwear. The tongue and the collar together define an opening, preferably sized to receive a wearer's foot. The gaiter includes first and second fastening flaps and a fastening device (or fastening means) located on the first and second fastening flaps. The gaiter is configured to switch between high and low positions, the high position being a position in which a substantial portion of the gaiter extends above the upper-most portion of the footwear, and the low position being a position in which a substantial portion of the gaiter is located below the upper-most portion of the footwear.
1. An article of footwear, comprising:
a tongue;
a collar located at an upper portion of the footwear, wherein the tongue and the collar together define an opening; and
a gaiter having a lower portion integrally fixed to the collar of the footwear,
wherein the gaiter includes first and second fastening flaps and a fastening device located on front faces of the first and second fastening flaps,
wherein the gaiter is configured to switch from a high position to a low position, the high position being a position in which a substantial portion of the gaiter extends above the upper-most portion of the footwear, and the low position being a position in which a substantial portion of the gaiter is located below the upper-most portion of the footwear,
wherein the gaiter is stitched to the footwear along the collar,
wherein the fastening device is a hook and loop fastener system including hooks on one of the front facing surfaces of the first and second fastening flaps, and loops on one of the other front facing surfaces of the first and second fastening flaps,
wherein the fastening device is configured to secure the first fastening flap to the second fastening flap in both the high and low positions of the gaiter, and
wherein the fastening device is configured to secure the first fastening flap to the second fastening flap in a front portion of the footwear in both the high and low positions of the gaiter.
2. The footwear of claim 1 , wherein the gaiter is not stitched to the tongue of the footwear.
3. The footwear of claim 1 , wherein the footwear is a boot.
4. The footwear of claim 1 , wherein the gaiter is made from spandex.