Do you guys think that leg gaiters are a must ?

[Backpack Hunter]

I always use them in wet or snowy conditions.

 

[bivouaclarry]

A given with wet conditions or snow on the ground. However, I have really appreciated mine when negotiating a lot of deadfall in wet or dry conditions. Ever catch your pant leg stepping over a log?

 

[Jimbob]

They're a must for me. Dry clean pants at the end of the day is awesome. I don't use them in the summer hiking though. Find some that are quiet, kenetrek works for me.

 

[topher89]

When its wet or the snow is deep, they are on

 

[Biggs300]

Like most, I wear them in wet weather or when elk hunting in CO in snow. Beyond that, I only wear them (snake gaiters) when hog hunting in rattle snake country in SW OK.

 

[rayporter]

snow or cold-yep

on horseback they keep your feet warm when it is cold, too.

 

[justinspicher]

I am of the all the time outside, no matter the season. I will also wear them under my pants as well instead of over them.

 

[huntaholic123]

I wear mine more often than not. Never know when Ill run into some wet conditions or get into a thistle patch. Keep the boots and shines protected. I would recommend wearing them. Easy to take off if you start to overheat or don't need them.

 

[tttoadman]

I won't go without. It allows you to wear lighter more breathable pants in wet weather. When you cant ever get your pants dry in a cold tent at night, you will see then value in them a little more.

 

[Hunt'nFish]

If it's really wet and rainy, I wear hydro fleece pants instead. But if it's just wet grass for a while in the morning gaiters are the cats meow. They really help keep water out of my boots. And I can take them off and stow in pack once it warms up. They're also great for snow as well.
But no they are not required gear......but nearly so.

They are loud, and hot (can be good or bad)....Only wear when absolutely necessary.

Not all of them are loud, mine are made by Wilderness Pack Specialties and are made out of camo saddle cloth which is both quite and burrless.
Hunt'nFish

 

[Ryan R]

I wear them in the mountains. Keeps your pants clean below the knees and crap out of your shoe laces. Some shin protection as well.

Bow hunting in the timber (day trips) I leave them at home.

 

[Liv2Hunt]

I use kenetrek fleece. Fairly quiet and worked great this year on my alaska caribou hunt.

 

[Stid2677]

I consider them a must when wearing crampons. Have seen some wicked legs cuts from crampons and gaiters protect your legs from getting cut. They also help keep water out when crossing creeks. Slick rocks, ice and mud are much easier to cover when rocking the steel. I sure was glad when Luke brought me mine to come down from this ice cover chute.

 

[castandblast]

Another vote for Kenetrek fleece. I wear them in all cold/wet/snowy conditions. Just my theory but I think my feet stay warmer while glassing for long periods in cold temps when my lower legs are toasty warm and dry under the gaitors.

I soooo wish I had taken them on my Dall sheep hunt!

 

[Bighorse]

Something to think about...
They double as ground protection in a floorless shelter.
You won't have trouble with laces getting accidently loosened.
They function to keep your lower leg muscles nice and warm which is very important in rough uneven terrain where stability and balance are used.

Yup, they keep your pants and boots cleaner too.

I don't go mountain hunting without them anymore.

 

[kodiakfly]

Nope you can hunt fine without them. That being said I wear them and always will most likely.

Agreed. And to go one step further, I did a moose hunt in soggy conditions in 01 or 02 wearing WAXED COTTON and WOOL and I was quite comfortable over three weeks. Just goes to show that a lot of the gear that is a "must have" or is a "necessity" is really just a nice thing to have.

 

[jtw]

Inspired by others on this forum I wore some old gore tex gaiters I had sitting around from my mountaineering days. With a pair of dwr treated pants I was amazed at how nice it was in the wet and rain yesterday. I wouldnt say anything is required other than a tag and weapon but in warm and wet conditions they were way better than rain pants.

 

[Travis Bertrand]

I wear them most of the time. It's nice to keep sticks out of your pants/socks. It's also convenient walking through dew and wet grass in the mornings so you don't get the water creep up the pant legs.

I was introduced to rogue brand gators in africa. They are easy to put on, light weight and pretty tough. I like them more than the rei light weight gators.

 

[ridgefire]

have had them for a couple seasons now and they are in my pack at all times. cabelas gore tex works for me.

 

[cwh]

Not a must - I could do most everything without them, it would just be miserable in a lot of cases.