Breathable snake gaiters

[Dustin B.]

I am looking for a pair of breathable snake gaiters. So far I am eyeballing the Turtleskin and Listo snake gaiters. I have already heard a lot of good about the Turtleskin gaiters, but I couldn't find much info on the Listo gaiters. If anyone has used these please tell me how they performed for you.

 

[Dented]

I've got a set of the Turtleskins. They travel everywhere I go, Florida to Idaho. That being said, I've never actually been hit in them. They're stiff, and I usually lace them into a pair of boots and just leave them permanently attached.

I'm in Florida swamp with some enormous cotton mouth, and walking snakey areas from Idaho to Arizona.

But...........

I've never actually been bit wearing them. I'd really like to hear from someone that's had them and put them to the test.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

No such thing. I have the turtleskins. Still a better option than the boots, easy to take on and off. I’ll wear them when needed and then take them off and throw in pack when not. If you keep them on you’re going to sweat a ton and boots will get wet.

 

[Dustin B.]

I've got a set of the Turtleskins. They travel everywhere I go, Florida to Idaho. That being said, I've never actually been hit in them. They're stiff, and I usually lace them into a pair of boots and just leave them permanently attached.

I'm in Florida swamp with some enormous cotton mouth, and walking snakey areas from Idaho to Arizona.

But...........

I've never actually been bit wearing them. I'd really like to hear from someone that's had them and put them to the test.

I agree. I know they claim to be tested against rattlesnake bites, but I would like to hear that from someone who isn't trying to sell me a product.

 

[Dustin B.]

No such thing. I have the turtleskins. Still a better option than the boots, easy to take on and off. I’ll wear them when needed and then take them off and throw in pack when not. If you keep them on you’re going to sweat a ton and boots will get wet.

I currently have a pair of Dan's snake gaiters which run really hot. I figured the Turtleskin or Listo gaiters would be a good upgrade.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I currently have a pair of Dan's snake gaiters which run really hot. I figured the Turtleskin or Listo gaiters would be a good upgrade.

For sure, love mine, I’m not trying to dissuade you. I’m just saying breathable and Snake proof don’t go together. They are light weight for what they are though and the best option I’ve found.

 

[Dustin B.]

For sure, love mine, I’m not trying to dissuade you. I’m just saying breathable and Snake proof don’t go together. They are light weight for what they are though and the best option I’ve found.

I really like the looks of them. I will probably go with them unless I hear good things about the Listo gaiters.

 

[mavinwa2]

snake season and in 2024, there's lots of them out & about in the southwest this spring.

I use TurtleSkins and have been struck 2x in 15 years.
No penetration thru the TurtleSkin material, just the surprise & feel (thump!) of getting struck.

 

[Dustin B.]

snake season and in 2024, there's lots of them out & about in the southwest this spring.

I use TurtleSkins and have been struck 2x in 15 years.
No penetration thru the TurtleSkin material, just the surprise & feel (thump!) of getting struck.

Wow! That's awesome to hear from someone that has actually been struck while wearing them. Glad to hear that they worked for you. I will most likely be buying a pair.

 

[Little Tunny]

I've owned Turtleskins and Listos, and I think the Listos are a WAY better design. The adjustable stirrup keeps them from riding up and twisting when walking through heavy brush, they have much bigger and easier to use zippers, and come in different sizes. You can see in that Turtleskin video, they guy can hardly keep them below his hiking boot top just standing there, which was my experience. But more generally, the Listos are cut better and fit over my Hanwags perfectly, although still a bit sweaty when it's in the 90s like anything else. I wear them in the dead of winter just for busting brush in Arizona and South Texas, even when snakes are not a concern. They stay in place and feel like they were actually designed to be used for walking through rocky, brushy off-trail places.

 

[Dustin B.]

I've owned Turtleskins and Listos, and I think the Listos are a WAY better design. The adjustable stirrup keeps them from riding up and twisting when walking through heavy brush, they have much bigger and easier to use zippers, and come in different sizes. You can see in that Turtleskin video, they guy can hardly keep them below his hiking boot top just standing there, which was my experience. But more generally, the Listos are cut better and fit over my Hanwags perfectly, although still a bit sweaty when it's in the 90s like anything else. I wear them in the dead of winter just for busting brush in Arizona and South Texas, even when snakes are not a concern. They stay in place and feel like they were actually designed to be used for walking through rocky, brushy off-trail places.

Thank you! How do the listos compare to the turtle skins in terms of breathability. I really like the looks of the listos better so if the turtle skins aren't way more breathable I would probably go with listo.

 

[Little Tunny]

Listos are maybe a touch more breathable, certainly not any worse. During hunting season it's a non-issue. But wearing either of them in summer you are going to sweat when you have fabric up to your knee. It's still more comfortable than a snake boot though.

 

[Dustin B.]

Listos are maybe a touch more breathable, certainly not any worse. During hunting season it's a non-issue. But wearing either of them in summer you are going to sweat when you have fabric up to your knee. It's still more comfortable than a snake boot though.

Thanks again! I think they are definitely the way to go. I am currently using Dan's gaiters and they are stiff as a board and really hot so I imagine the listos will be a great upgrade.

 

[yfarm]

My branded Turtleskins are like a sauna if unmodified, the elastic around the bottom prevents air circulation. There is a review from a user that recommends cutting the shock cord at the bottom which also helps prevent the gaiter from riding up. There is no instep strap only an eyelet to use a hook to your boot lace. Haven’t used the Listo but from their website looks to be a better design.
These “Wise Hunters” I got from ebay are far more comfortable than the T’s but I had to reset the snaps to fit right. While not tested by a snake they completely pass the impervious test for cactus including glochilds. My son refuses to wear the T’s due to the noise and fit and doesn’t like snake boots but wears the WiseHunters with his Beartooths in some of the worst cactus environment and is thorn free and happy.
As I previously have posted, am a boot whore, after a variety of slip on snake boots, Chippewa,Justin,Rocky and Russell most of the time my feet are in lace up Russell Turkeyhunters or Rockys, just fit better,are lighter and allow me to move faster and quieter. The Wise hunter with Russell All leather phs or birdshooter is really close.

 

[mavinwa2]

I liked the Listos.
However, they have a disclaimer on website that informs the gaiters are NOT GUARANTEED to be 100% snake bite proof....it's the material they use.

I have since added an under the instep strap, like the Listo's have, to the TurtleSkin gaiter. No more riding up, stays down over the top of my boot laces.

Remember, any material that is even slightly breathable, is not 100% snake bite proof.

 

[Dustin B.]

I liked the Listos.
However, they have a disclaimer on website that informs the gaiters are NOT GUARANTEED to be 100% snake bite proof....it's the material they use.

I have since added an under the instep strap, like the Listo's have, to the TurtleSkin gaiter. No more riding up, stays down over the top of my boot laces.

Remember, any material that is even slightly breathable, is not 100% snake bite proof.

I didn't know about that. I may do a little research before I make a purchase.

 

[yfarm]

All of them including most of the boots have the disclaimer. With leather, turtleskin,cordura, plastic inserts nothing breathes so the gaiter design has to allow air circulation from bottom to top to reduce moisture. If the bottom fits too tightly like the Turtleskin or is contoured closely to the boot you get no air circulation. Same with lace up boots versus slipon, you feel a bellows effect walking in some of the slip on snake boots.

 

[mavinwa2]

as mentioned, I liked the new Listo's styling, fit better.

But I purchased the TurtleSkins 15+ years ago, Listo's wasn't available back then. And after all those years of spring-summer wear, not a stitch came loose, no abrasions or wear down...the TurtleSkin fabric is still perfect.
The Listo material will incur wear & tear.

However, The TurtleSkin is a patented fabric, USAP 5-565-264 & 5-837-623.
Used in Law Enforcement clothing to prevent needles from penetrating. USGOV tested, did not puncture from 0.05"-0.042" diameter needles at over 3-lbs pressure.

After all these years, you'd think TurtleSkin company would make a few improvements in attachment to boots.
Darn good for snake proof gaiters weighing only 6-oz.

 

[scwiggy7]

After a close rattler encounter, I too am looking for recommendations on snake gaiters. @mtwarden I know you do a lot of off-trail hiking...do you use them at all?

 

[cuerro viejo]

I’ve used the cheap Forever last snake guards, been struck a few times with them over the years no issue.