Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Gaiters

No, not the kind with teeth....

Looking at getting some gaiters for this years hunt.

Anyone use them? Good ones/ones to avoid?

Thanks in advance.

I've tried nearly all, and the Kennetreks are hard to beat for durability, function and stealth.

Same here. There's some in the classifieds for $40.00 right now.


Travis

I find them very useful both for hunting and general hiking, etc.
For hunting, I use Cabela's Gore-Tex models. Just leave the tops open so they vent, and close them for deep snow or wading creeks. Very useful and help keep the lower legs both warmer and dry. E

Outdoor Research are the best IMO.

I have OR and Kenetrek. When hunting i take the kenetreks. You canfind them on sierratradingpost.com on sale from time to time.

Depends on how quiet you need to be and what your footwear is. I use OR Flex Tex any time that I can. They are tough, dry fast, breathe well, and are quiet. With bigger boots I use the OR Cascadia. They are cut like the old version of the crocs, which I prefer. The new crocs aren't shaped right for my foot and are heavier than I like.

If the purpose is snow protection I use OR gaitors, if it is dirt I use Camo dirty girls (doesn't sound very hunter like does it).

I have used and still have Crocs, Kenetreks and Cabela's Gore Tex version. The toughest and the loudest are the Crocs. I used them in the Misty Fjords on a goat hunt without problems. The quiet ones and less durable ones are Kenetreks. I used the Kenetreks in the Yukon for moose. My only concern is durability in rough brush as I have seen them wear very quickly out. For most hunting in the lower, I use the Cabela version including for a recent elk hunt. The biggest problem with Cabela's version is in the snow. The top velcro strap tends to gather snow and loose its grip.

Good point on flex tex. I use them anytime waterproofness is not required.

Take a look at Whitewater gaiters. They are not only waterproof but, snake proof as well. Some snake gaiters are stiff and uncomfortable but these seem fairly flexible. I've used them for early bow season in W. TX panhandle where snakes are plentiful and late season hunting as well. I also used them on an early summer depredation hunt this year and they are not showing any wear whatsoever.

I use the Mountain Hardware gaiters. Flexible fabric in the back is very quiet.

+1 on the OR Flex-Tex. That's what I use 99% of the time.

OR Verglas are a lot lighter and quieter than the crocs. Haven't tried any others.

The OR ones are hard to beat but loud. I've used the Kenetreks and was less than happy with them. I am currently using some from Rab made with Event and took them on my Moose/Sheep in the NWT and was very pleased with how they worked out. They are light, quieter than OR and very durable. I spent 12 days in the tent/bush and I could sell them as new. My guide was very impressed with them and asked me about getting some to replace his OR ones.

Lee

Vek,

My wife and I have been running the OR Verglas for the last 3-4 years as well. Lighter, quieter, and cheaper than the crocs and have never had a complaint about them yet.

Have prematurely worn out the Kenetreks and the OR Crocs keep begging for more. Cannot see anything being better. The noise issue is greatly overplayed.

The noise coming from my gaitors doesn't even compared to the noise coming out of my wheezing lungs while chasing cats in the St. Joe

Kenetrek for me.

Anybody tried the Sitka Gaitors?

I thought the same until this year. I wore out a pair of Crocs in about 25 days of hunting. Dwarf birch is HARD on everything, especially the stitching. The cheesy tab at the toe was shreaded about day two. Even with that, they're still the most durable on the market IMO. I'll be sending them in for a replacement this winter. Got to love OR!

Agree with the noise, however if you're bow hunting it would be a diffrent story I think.