Gear Recommendation: Gaiters

After arriving at the trailhead earlier this week to teach our Basic Military Land Navigation course to a group of soldiers preparing for Army Special Forces assessment (SFAS), the first thing that I did (as usual) was to take off my street-shoes and swap them with the hiking boots that I store in the rear of my Jeep.  Then, as I reached for a neighboring set of gaiters and started to clip them to my laces and wrap around my lower leg, I decided to make a short video sometime later in the day during a break which would recommend them.  After all, there is nothing glamorous or exciting about gaiters (so they are easily ignored) but they dutiful perform an important function, which is why I rarely fail to use them in the outdoors.  So, if you spend any amount of time in the woods as a hiker or hunter, especially off-trail or on poorly maintained ones, I recommend purchasing a set of gaiters to wear.

What are gaiters? Really, nothing more than fabric — often water-resistant and breathable —  that wraps around your leg, usually sealing with hook-and-loop material, which then attaches to the laces of a boot or trail-sneaker, then closes up above an ankle or mid-calf or just below the knee.

Now I must admit, I never thought much of gaiters years ago.  Honestly, I thought they were silly looking.  Worse, I almost thought that they were simply another attempt by the outdoor industry to get me to needlessly spend even more money on an item that was nothing more than a fashion statement.

Truthfully, I still fairly much hold the same opinions — I definitely look silly wearing them, and much of what the outdoor industry suggests as “necessary” only inhibits many people with constrained budgets from enjoying the outdoors — however, over the years I’ve evolved my thinking as gaiters have repeatedly proven their functionality.

So, I am going suggest that you consider spending a little extra money for a decent pair.  While a set can be as expensive as $100, you can also very likely only spend between $25 to $45 depending on your needs and tastes.

For what it’s worth, the pair that I put on earlier this week was a brand new set of Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters, which cost me $88.95.  While they are on the high side of the cost spectrum, considering that this is only my second set in 12 years, and I easily spend more than 200 days in the woods each year, I think the cost (for me) to be reasonable.

Anyway, I believe that gaiters have several practical benefits:

1. Most importantly, they keep dirt, stones, and other debris from falling in behind my boot-wall toward my heel and feet which minimizes blisters and maximizes overall discomfort.
2. They also keep branches and other obstructions from snagging my laces — Okay, yes, I admit that this sounds superficial, but, besides the simple convenience of not needing to regularly stop to re-tie my laces, it definitely improves my safety by preventing a potentially serious tripping hazard (particularly when I’m wearing a heavy backpack).
3. They help to keep my feet drier too — Even though, technically, my boots are water-proof, they never really are completely, and that extra layer of fabric provides an added layer of protection, especially during a stream crossing.
4. Lastly, they help keep my feet and lower legs warmer in cold weather — While gaiters are not insulated, they keep water and snow away from the top part of my boots and lower pant legs.

Therefore, even though I still look silly wearing gaiters — and likely you will too — considering purchasing a pair for your outdoor adventures.