Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Gaiters, yes or no?

Your thoughts please.

Depends. If it's wet yes. If you're splashing through creeks yes. If you're walking through grass, stubble, gravel, scree etc with trail runners or low top boots and want to keep debris out, yes.

If none of the above and you need to be quiet to stalk up close or it's warm out, no.

Exactly what Smokepole said.

The only thing I might add is they keep you warmer when sitting for extended periods.

I have the REI low/ankle gaiters. Wore them in Africa and wear then around here when hunting in cheat grass.

Life savers from getting junk in your socks or laces, and keeps bugs out, as well.

I wear regular gaiters when there's dew, rain, or if I'm wearing cotton pants (unusual for me when huting).

When hunting in the snow they are great. They keep the bottom of you pants from freezing and eventually wicking moisture up to the top of your socks. I don’t leave home without them.

Great points. I agree with you guys. I always wear mine when hunting.

Until there's 6 inches or so of snow, no.
Personally I feel they're the most overrated piece of gear out there, possibly eclipsed only by trekking poles.

Being in my 70's, I find that a single pole is way UNDER rated. It's great for balance and with a little practice, can be used in many ways as an improvised shooting stick. The only negative issue that I've found is noise. Aluminum or carbon, they make noise when you hit them against a rock. Also the tips are noisy when walking in rocks.

If they work for you and in your situation, then rock on.

They don't for me, other than maybe one and only when going down something really steep with a heavy load.

I actually appreciate and use trekking poles at times,

Gaiters, never used them yet, but bought a pair, just because?

Dunno.

Aren’t you planning a sheep hunt this coming year? I presume you bought them for that hunt?

Most gaiters have been really hot for me, one of many reasons I only wear them in snow. They’re cumbersome and noisy, unless you’ve got solid wool or some other quieter material. Kahtoola makes a few pairs designed for warmer weather and I have tried both their NAVA and LEVA. They were both too short, despite being the ‘tall’ version. They also wouldn’t stay up on my shin like conventional gaiters do, and would fall down like a tube sock.

Lastly, other than my heavy duty Sleeping Indian wool gaiters, I have never had a pair last more than one season without getting holes, and allows water and whatever else in or between the outer layer and gortex mid layer, so then you end up carrying all that stuff with you.

Others seem to absolutely require gaiters, so like anything else, give them a try and see what they do for you.

In hunting season I tend to wear them every time I go out. They do 2 things: keep crap of all sorts out of your boots, including snow, 2. Help keep your feet warmer if you sit for a longish period of time. Outside of hunting season, I rarely wear them.

T, yes for the sheep hunt.

I imagine on certain days they might benefit me,

Otherwise I’ve gotten this far in life without them,

Water crossings possible benefit there,

Otherwise another 100 dollar bill, more stuff to fit in the backpack…..New set of Kuiu Yukons sitting here…

Dunno.

Gaiters, always in cold weather for me! I have three pair!

Same here

depends where i am hunting ,here in Minnesota never muck boots are good enough , mountains i keep them handy if there is snow on the ground but i where taller lace boots when there is no snow always.

This, plus snow.

MM

I sure wish they were still around.....................

MM

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.

Gaiters good. Walk any wet trail where foliage contacts your legs.

Trekking poles good. I've lent mine on several occasions to people I've met on trails that were having a difficult time with their knees who were quite grateful.