Gaiters worth it....?

[jorswift]

OK all. Going to CO for the first time for 2nd rifle season. I am trying to do this on a budget and most of my clothes are for sitting still for whitetail hunting. I think I have enough layers and such to keep me warm and dry. But I read on here about everyone wearing gaiters. Are they really worth it? What are your thoughts on a first timer? I am not sure when my next CO hunt will be, and in Indiana, they would just sit in the closet. Just trying to wrap up some loose ends and get my gear together. Thanks.

 

[Back Country Hunter 2]

Gaiters are nice to have, but not an essential item. If you have rain pants then you can do without them.

 

[Jkling12]

I'm from Indiana myself and you would wear them more than you think. I wear OR crocs. They're goretex. Anytime I'm walking in wet grass they're awesome to keep your pants dry on the bottom. Turkey season or morning deer hunts walking thru beans or hay fields they're perfect

 

[KHNC]

After using gaiters on a september elk hunt the first time 5 years ago, i have not set foot in the mtns again without them. Much better than wearing rain pants if you are moving alot. You will sweat your tess tickles off with rain pants.

 

[cocky84]

I really think they are. I didn’t use them for years but now that i have them i will almost always use them. Wouldn’t go as far to say they are a must have. There are others items you should buy first if you are on a budget.

 

[Poser]

Nice to have and I wear them frequently (but not always), but they are not “necessary” unless you are post-holing deep snow or mud.

 

[jorswift]

I'm from Indiana myself and you would wear them more than you think. I wear OR crocs. They're goretex. Anytime I'm walking in wet grass they're awesome to keep your pants dry on the bottom. Turkey season or morning deer hunts walking thru beans or hay fields they're perfect

That's true. I never thought about Turkey season! But I love my muck boots. I typically just tuck my pants into them and they stay pretty dry as well! But I wont be taking them with me to CO. If I do, they will stay in camp!

 

[wyodan]

I wear them pretty much everytime I'm in the mountains except when it is really hot. They keep you dry, keep your pants from getting hung up on sagebrush, and actually keep your legs warmer as it prevents you from pumping the heat out of the bottom. I'm also a OR Crocs fan, they have replaced several worn out sets for me.

 

[Johnboy]

I spent 7 days in 15" of snow last year in Montana, and let me just say I now own and intend to use gaiters.

 

[LostArra]

+1 on the gaiters. I recycled some old Kennetrek gaiters permanently on some old Muck boots that had the tops chewed up by barbed wire fences. The gaiters and some silicone caulk to repair holes in the foot portion and those Mucks have another 10 years.

I'm trying some of the short gaiters this year just to keep junk out of my boots and keep the laces tied. I'm taking the long ones in case it's wet.

 

[TwoTikkas]

Anything that will save the bottoms of my expensive pants,is a good thing.

 

[Laelkhunter]

Buy them and use them. They will help in wet grass, and quick stream (creek) crossings. Also in brambles (or whatever they are called) to save your pants from getting ripped or snagged.

 

[Steelhead]

Just started using them 3 seasons ago, Kenetrec ones. Totally bought them on a whim and ended up freaking loving them. Actually left them at camp first time out, pants wet up to the knees all day. Wore them the next day out and they kept me dry. they kicked ass for the early snow last season. Each time I'm packing them it totally feels like "another thing" to clutter up my gear but once they're on I don't even think about them.

 

[Jkling12]

Amazon had or crocs on sale for 40$ last week. Goretex and super tough.

 

[Jkling12]

Just checked and all sizes are dif price but large are 42$

 

[bsnedeker]

Just checked and all sizes are dif price but large are 42$

Just to throw my $.02 in....I was in the EXACT same boat as you last year: Going to CO, trying to decide on gaiters, but was NOT on RS at that point so I did NOT buy gaiters. I did, however, stop in the middle of my hunt in order to drive into town to buy a pair the only pair of shitty gaiters I could find. I figured a little moisture on my lower pants was not a big deal. And it wasn't at first, but then the tops of my socks got wet, and that wicked down into my boots and soaked them from the inside out. I'm never going into the backcountry without them from this point out. Upgraded to the Kennetrek's this year and love them so far.

 

[LIWolverine]

Have never used them before last season. Was really on the fence and man I hardly ever hunt without them now! Even whitetails. I knew it was a great decision my first day on the mountain last year.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Runningwater]

I can't imagine hunting in the mountains without bringing gaiters.

 

[muddydogs]

Another benefit of gaiters made from a quiet material is they help quiet noisy rain gear and pant legs when hiking. There also great for going through brush as they cut the noise of the brush on pant legs.

 

[wind gypsy]

I’ll buck the trend here. Unless it’s really wet or snowy, I’d prefer my pants getting a little wet to soaking everything below the knee with sweat under gaiters.