I've had a pair of gaiters for years that I keep on the outside bottom of my pack, under the vertical compression straps. Think I've used them twice in about 5 years.

Trekking poles would probably help out my bum knee, but so far, I've done without. I can make do with my shooting stix when I need to.

My heart's in the mountains, my heart is not here.
My heart's in the mountains, chasing the deer.