Gaiters

[dylaneh]

I am having a hard time understanding the use and purpose of gaiters. This may just be really dumb on my end but I was looking for a more breathable option to replace my rubber turkey hunting boots. I just don’t understand how gaiters can do what my rubber lacrosse boots can. Do they make hiking boots waterproof? Would they work in a situation like im in in turkey hunting walking through wet fields and creeks that get about shin high?

 

[DmrbigEshotT]

Gaiters cannot replace rubber boots.

Gaiters provide waterproof protection for the lower leg potion of your pants which helps prevent moisture from migrating down into your socks. They also help increase the likelihood of keeping your feet dry in the event of a quick, not too deep creek crossing. Lastly, their tough exterior has helped protect against rips/tears while going through deadfall.


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[fishsticks]

In addition to helping keep moisture off your pants and out of your boots, snow from going up your pant legs - here in the jungles of western Washington it keeps brush and other crap from going up your pant legs and tripping you, protects your lower legs from sticker briars and on and on. I mostly don’t go anywhere without them anymore unless it’s hot as heck at lest here in my local area.

 

[EdP]

Rubber boots don't provide the ankle and foot support needed in mountain terrain. Gaiters add the additional protection your lower legs need from water and brush and allow wearing boots with adequate support. In the low country rubber boots work well and are more waterproof.

 

[rayporter]

in cold weather gaiters help keep your feet warm by not letting air up your pant legs in addition to keeping you dry.

 

[cumminsbassguy]

Gaiters cannot do what rubbers do, as it's been said above. It's going to keep the below your knee part of your pants dry and free from debris entering your pants/boots. It will keep majority of water from entering your boots if your cross a creek. You get the ankle support from actual boots vs rubbers which are usually lacking in the ankle)foot support category. If you're standing in water, water will get in with gaiters. As to the waterproofness of your hunting/hiking boot. That is entirely dependant upon your boot.

 

[ForlohFamily]

AllClima Boot Gaiters​

 

[Divide93]

All the above advice on gaiters is right on target! I'm a gaiter freak from the high country, but I still appreciate their usefulness here in coulee country!

 

[Honyock]

Try a pair and you most likely won't hunt without them. All good points above. I used gaiters for the first time several years ago and now I don't hunt without them. Keeps your pant legs dry and the moisture doesn't wick down your socks and make your feet wet. Where I turkey hunt, stickers are an issue and gaiters keep them off my legs and boot laces.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Gaiters cannot replace rubber boots.

Gaiters provide waterproof protection for the lower leg potion of your pants which helps prevent moisture from migrating down into your socks. They also help increase the likelihood of keeping your feet dry in the event of a quick, not too deep creek crossing. Lastly, their tough exterior has helped protect against rips/tears while going through deadfall.


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Would add, found they will help keep ticks from crawling up my pant leg, also rocks and gravel or seeds burrs ect out of socks/boot

 

[squid-freshprints]

Also wasps, and they prevent laces catching and tripping you or your moto from melting your pants. oh, and blaze orange gaiters are mint for visibility.

 

[CMF]

They're not going to help if the creek is above your short hiking boot and you have more than a quick step. They are nicer than rubber boots on the cold mornings with wet dew and tall grass, followed by a warm-up. As soon as the dew burns off I can pull them off and a short hiking boot is a lot cooler than a rubber boot.
I still don't wear them often and probably never would have if I didn't start hunting out west.

 

[Jethro]

This time of year I spray mine with permethrin for extra layer of tick control. Can tuck pant legs in socks and cover with the gaiters. I wear mine Sept - May. Too hot in summer.

 

[RADunfee]

In the south I wear my Turtleskins for all the reasons above AND snakebite protection. Rubber boots have their place but not when mountains and elevations are a concern.

 

[SonnyDay]

Well hell. I learned a lot of additional uses for gaiters!

I’ve really only worn them for post-holing through thigh-deep snow…

 

[wapitibob]

I wear short gaiters every hunt unless it has rained, then I switch to tall gaiters.

 

[MuleDeerMike]

Keeps the snow, wet grass and other foliage off of your lower pant to wick onto your socks then eventually into your boots. Also helps keep sticker bushes from destroying your pants or an exhaust pipe from a dirt bike from melting them.

 

[Mt Al]

In addition to helping keep moisture off your pants and out of your boots, snow from going up your pant legs - here in the jungles of western Washington it keeps brush and other crap from going up your pant legs and tripping you, protects your lower legs from sticker briars and on and on. I mostly don’t go anywhere without them anymore unless it’s hot as heck at lest here in my local area.

Same here, wear them all the time unless it's hot. IMHO keep my legs warmer, keep the snow out, can cross small creeks with less water getting in the boots. Love mine.

 

[Belial]

Something I never thought about using until this thread. Non of the old timers I hunted with used them.

 

[chindits]

Gaiters are a mountain thing not a swamp country thing.

Most useful in the snow so you can keep using your regular hiking boots. Also good for debris proofing your low cut hiking boots where you are crawling, kneeling or going prone for when your pants are not covering the top of your boots.

If I’m looking at a lot of deep water crossings or tussock country like ANWR, I embrace the water and don’t fight it. Quick drying trail shoes with fabric gaiters that keep debris out but not moisture.