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Gaiters are an important piece of gear for hikers, campers, and hunters. They provide protective coverings around your footwear and your lower leg. They come in hand when crossing creeks or walking through wet grass. Gaiters also provide another layer of protection against ticks and other insects that might their way into your shoes or clothes. Either way, gaiters are a critical piece of outdoor equipment for many people.
While it may seem like a simple concept, the outdoor gear industry has created a diverse range of products based on your activity, season of use, and length desired. Gaiters are used by trail runners, hunters, hikers, snowshoers, mountaineers, and even gardeners. Whether you’re keeping out bugs, snake venom, dirt, or snow—there’s a best gaiter for you.
My experience with gaiters comes from many years of working in wilderness education and recreation. As a hiking guide in the Pacific Northwest, Southwest, and northern New England, I’ve had to choose and use gaiters in snowy mountains, dusty deserts, and wet trails.
For this piece, I relied on my own experience as well as first-hand accounts from over 50 experienced hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. When choosing the best gaiters for this article, I based my choices on the following criteria:
Other factors to consider when shopping for a pair of gaiters include weight and life expectancy. Many brands including Outdoor Research, Kahtoola, Black Diamond, sell replaceable instep straps and buckles so your gaiters can last a lifetime.
Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters Outdoor Research
Why It Made the Cut: An absolute favorite of hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, Outdoor Research’s Crocodiles are the best knee-high rain and snow gaiters.
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The Outdoor Research Crocodile gaiter is perhaps the most popular backcountry gaiter in the industry, and for good reason. Made with abrasion-resistant Cordura, the “Crocs” are extremely durable, letting you traverse heavy underbrush without trashing them. They are also made of Gore-tex and waterproof to protect against rain, wet mud, and snow.
These gaiters attach to hiking boots and most mountaineering boots. To assemble, step into the adjustable instep strap, then Velcro the gaiter into place. The adjustable top buckle can be tightened just below the knees. A hook attaches to the shoelaces to prevent the gaiter from riding up the shoe. This is an effective attachment system if you have the right size.
Most of my testing took place in winter and shoulder seasons in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. These are great gaiters for snow as well as great gaiters for mud. Mountaineers, hikers, and hunters will all appreciate the bomb-proof construction and top-notch protection.
Overall, the Outdoor Research Crocodiles are my choice for best knee-high gaiters for mountaineering as well as best knee-high snow gaiters. Their lack of breathability and stiff material makes them uncomfortable during warm weather hiking.
Dirty Girl Gaiters Dirty Girl Gaiters
Why It Made the Cut: Lightweight, breathable, and reliable, the Dirty Girl gaiter is the best choice for warm-weather hiking, trail running, and desert hiking.
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To be clear, Dirty Girl gaiters are not just for the girls. This small business has made a big name for itself in the hiking, trail-running, and thru-hiking communities. The simple, comfy, and easy to use gaiter is perfect for keeping small debris out of low top hiking and running shoes.
To assemble, the gaiter comes with a strip of Velcro that glues to the back of the shoe. From then on, it is easy to put this trail gaiter on and take it off. Just put it on over your socks, put on your boots, then pull it down and attach.
Dirty Girl gaiters are super breathable and lightweight. This makes them perfect for summer but not great for shoulder seasons and winter. Although it is not water resistant, the Dirty Girl gaiters are quick to dry. This is the best gaiter for summer.
Kenetrek Hunting Gaiter Kenetrek
Why It Made the Cut: Kenetrek’s full-length gaiters were made with the hunter in mind: quiet, warm, breathable, and waterproof.
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These Kenetrek gaiters were built specifically with hunting in mind. The camo-patterned versions are cut from brushed tricot micro fleece which is breathable and extremely quiet. The loden green and black options are made with a 100% nylon fabric which is a little noisier yet arguably more water resistant. To keep them completely waterproof, all models feature a waterproof/breathable membrane.
The Kenetrek hunting gaiter can accommodate heavily insulated pac boots but can work with lightweight hikers as well, thanks to a wide hook and loop closure on the front. This also makes getting in and out easy. An adjustable strap secures in the instep to keep them from riding up and there’s an adjustable nylon strap right below the knee, like the OR Crocodiles.
While these are a great choice for any wet, cold, and snowy adventure, they don’t offer as much protection as the OR Crocodiles. However, the Crocs are very stiff and loud compared to these gaiters, making the Kenetreks the best for hunting.
Crackshot Snake Bite Proof Guardz Gaiters Brand Crack Shot
Why It Made the Cut: If you are exploring wild places in venomous snake country, the lightweight and durable Crackshot Snake Bite Proof Guardz full-length gaiters will give you peace of mind.
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Whether hiking, hunting, or just doing yard work, there’s perhaps nothing more terrifying as a snake bite. Snake protection gaiters provide a barrier to bites between the ankle and knee. While not as reliable or effective as a hard plastic model like Tuff Shins, the Crackshot Snake Bite Proof Guardz gaiters are breathable, comfortable, adjustable, and a more functional choice for someone needing mobility and flexibility while wearing protection.
The Crackshot gaiters are made of 1,000 denier nylon and get their protection from polycarbonate inserts. The gaiter attaches around the calf with two large nylon straps and plastic buckles. My only complaint about these was that the straps sometimes slip and need readjustment.
These gaiters are impressively breathable compared to some of their competitors while remaining affordable. The similarly designed TurtleSkin SnakeArmor gaiters are more than twice the price of Crackshots. While it is possible that a viper could pierce this gaiter, the effective design and waterproof venom barrier make this my choice for best gaiter for snake protection.
Kahtoola LEVAgaiter Mid GTX Kahtoola
Why It Made the Cut: The zipper closure, comfortable fit, and three-layer Gore-tex of the Kahtoola LEVAgaiter Mid GTX will keep you dry on rainy hikes.
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If you’re looking for a three-season hiking gaiter that will keep the mud off and the rain out, the Kahtoola LEVAgaiter Mid GTX is a great choice. The triple-layer breathable Gore-tex is an intense moisture barrier that keeps the inside of your footwear dry. The mid-length design is a great compromise for those who want to have waterproof protection without the stiff (and hot) full-length gaiter.
While most gaiters on the market rely on hook and loop fasteners and buckles to attach, the Kahtoola relies on zippers. While I find these to be more user-friendly then the long strips of Velcro, a zipper is more prone to break or fail—especially in harsh conditions. However, another benefit of the zipper is that it doesn’t collect debris like the Velcro often does. The stiff instep strap is a narrow plastic strip that is both durable and replaceable.
At only four ounces, this is an easy accessory for hikers to throw into their pack just in case a muddy and rainy day arises. If you are looking for a great pack to pair with your gaiters, check out our round-up of the best hiking backpacks so you can carry your gear comfortably as you rack up the miles.
Have you ever returned home from a day in the woods to find your boots filled with dirt, debris, and moisture? What about muddy or scraped calves and shins? Wearing gaiters can prevent these from happening. But it can be difficult to select the right model, as they vary in size, material, and price. Here are things to consider before buying gaiters.
Gaiters come in three main sizes. Before you make your purchase, pick a length that works best for your needs.
Gaiters are used for many activities from desert trail running to summiting the highest peaks in snow. Here’s how you separate gaiters by activity.
Q: Are gaiters worth it?
Gaiters are worth it in certain environments. If your main form of outdoor recreation is a dry, summer nature trail, then they are probably not necessary. If you snowshoe or mountaineer in snow, gaiters are needed to protect your boot and keep you dry. Ask an outdoor enthusiast who’s survived a snake bite, and I bet they will say the snake protection provided by those gaiters are worth it too. Lastly, trail running sneakers have low tops, which makes them prone to getting debris in the shoe. The last thing a racer wants to do is stop to dump out sand or rocks. The Dirty Girls or the (not featured) Altra Trail gaiters will keep you running without discomfort.
Q: Do gaiters prevent ticks?
Gaiters help to prevent ticks and tick bites. While most long gaiters would provide a barrier of entry to most insects, there are some gaiters created with the intention of tick and chigger protection. For example, the Outdoor Research Bugout Gaiters are made of nylon treated with chemical deterrents.
Q: Are there different sizes of gaiters?
There are different sizes. Standard hiking and mountaineering gaiters come in both men’s and women’s sizes. These are then separated into small, medium, large, and extra-large. Before you buy a pair, it’s important to check with the manufacturer’s sizing chart. Grab a tape measure when fitting. And remember, if you are purchasing full length/knee high gaiters, they need to fit over the calf. In addition, you should account for the larger diameter if you plan to use them with pac boots. These heavily insulted boots are larger than a typical hiking shoe.
Q: Do gaiters keep boots dry?
Gaiters keep boots dry if they are built with that intention and have the right fit. The gaiters I featured by Outdoor Research, Kenetrek, and Kahtoola are all made with waterproof materials that are meant to keep your boots dry. Of course, if the toe or sole of your boot isn’t also waterproof, water will come in. Match your waterproof gaiter with a waterproof boot for the best possible protection.
Q: How do I choose a good gaiter?
Choose a good gaiter by first identifying the activity you want to use them for, followed by the season of use. Here are some suggestions:
● Hiking and Mountaineering in all Seasons: Full length waterproof gaiter like Outdoor Research Crocodile or Black Diamond Apex.
● Hiking in Spring, Summer, and Fall: Mid length waterproof gaiter like Kahtoola LEVAgaiter mid or Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain Low
● Trail running and Summer hiking: Low length breathable ankle gaiter like Dirty Girl, Solomon Trail Low, or Altra Trail gaiters.
Of course, if you have a special need like tick repellent or snake proof gaiters, these will take precedence in choosing a good gaiter. Before hitting the trail, check for a comfortable fit on leg and over boot.
Gaiters protect your legs and feet against the elements and provide comfort in the outdoors. Depending on your chosen outdoor activities and terrain, you might need to have a few pairs of gaiters: a full-length set for winter expeditions, a mid-length waterproof set for muddy spring hiking, and a pair of ankle gaiters for sandy, dry trails. Whether you’re trail running, backpacking, hunting, or day hiking—there’s a perfect set of gaiters for every adventure.
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