I'm looking for a good set of gaiters. I won't wear the "plastic" material some are made of. I want something softer that won't sound like I'm wearing a set of waders in the woods.

Cabelas has a set ($59) but have never used gaiters. I've used redneck gaiters - duct tape around the bottom of the pants.

What do you guys use?

I have some Cabelas goretex ones that seem to work pretty well. They are my first pair and dont wear them a ton, but they do help out in wet snow.

Kenetreks!!!

I'll second that. Great quality.

I'll third that...

I've got the Kenetreks and like them ok but I still prefer the OR Crocodiles hands down over any others.

The Kenetreks don't have a lace hook on the front like the crocs do so they don't hold to the boot as securely and let in more water on stream crossings.

#4 for the Kenetreks

#5, nice to have one day on the creek.

#6 for the kenetreks

Dober

Can I go #7

black diamond

OK - so what do you guys think of Kennetrek's.........

blood - what does OR stand for?

Thanks.

OR=Outdoor Research. They also make some low-cut gaiters out of Schoeller cloth that are great and lightweight if you're just worried about 6-8" of snow.

Thanks. Found that after I posted. Like the Kennetreks.

If anyone is interested, Sierra Trading Post has the snow camo Kennetrek's for $35.

Kennetreks for me as well...

I hunt alot more with my Cabela's Gore-Tex Gaitors than any of the others that I have. Not only do they keep the snow or water out of the tops of the boots, but they also keep the lower legs warm(er) when really cold.
I don't use the shorter ones. I much prefer the tall models and run them with the tops open to allow moisture to escape. If I need to close the tops temporarily, that's easy to do.
I might add that I use them with wool pants which help with the moisture accumulation problem. If i'm using some sort of wind proof pantts like my Patagonia Ether Pants, then I Venti-Gaitors. E

OR Crocodiles are my favorite gaiter...

How quite is the material used to make? the OR Crocs and the Kennetreks?

I have more than 6 years of use on the OR Crocodiles, I gave them to my son, and bought a new pair Friday. They will outlast the equivalent of anything out there. The Crocodiles may be noisier than you want, but they are Gore-Tex and work extremely well. OR also has softer and more quiet gaiters, but if you don't walk like a slob and rub your pantlegs together, it won't matter...

I like the Mountain Hardware Ascent gaiters.
They have flexible fabric in the back which is quiet and comfortable.

I'm wanting bow hunting quite!

Yep.

For bow hunting in the early fall or rifle when its wet I wear either the Cabelas gators or the Kenetrek gators both are quite enough to wear when sneaking. I probably wear the Kenetrek gators more I think they are tougher than the Cabelas.
Or crocks for snowshoeing

"I have more than 6 years of use on the OR Crocodiles, I gave them to my son, and bought a new pair Friday. They will outlast the equivalent of anything out there. The Crocodiles may be noisier than you want, but they are Gore-Tex and work extremely well. OR also has softer and more quiet gaiters, but if you don't walk like a slob and rub your pantlegs together, it won't matter..."

I'm at 10 years on the OR having worn them on many trips on Mt. Ranier, Colorado, and here at home. They're pretty worn looking but still work 100%. I've only had the Kenetreks for about 4 and the briars have taken a higher toll on them than the crocs and I don't think they are nearly as water resistant. I only use them now when I know it's not gonna be real wet and save the crocs for rain/snow.

[/quote]

I have both the Mountain Hardware and Kennetreks and wear them regularly.

The Kennetreks are very quiet

But the fit and function of the Mountain Hardware are much better in my opinion. Both will work

OR have been the most common for a number of years and for good reason.

Good info to know. I went to the local emporium and looked at the OR, they are a bit noisy for my tastes. Like the Kennetreks and will have a pair on the way tomorrow.

Thanks folks.

Ya got to remember, you're wearing gaiters in the snow.

Have killed a lot of critters up close and personal with OR Gaiters on... I wouldn't overthink the "noise" issue...

Have owned/used both Kennetreks and OR Crocks.

I like both...though there is no question that the ORs are tougher.

Dave

me too, gotta love the repaceable hypalon staps and good design.

Army Surplus with the zipper..Work's great and are inexpensive when you rip them up.

Jayco

I have a pair of Sleeping Indian wool. Besides they have the front clip and they arem nice and warm and quiet. great for very cold weather. Expensive. Buckfever1

I'm with you. I still hunt alot in PA, where the underbrush is noisy as heck. I've found that if its quiet in the eastern woods, its quieter in western evirons. I'm a bit of a stickler when it comes to quiet. I feel compromised if I have anything with a scratchy outer surface. Comes from my archery days and getting stickbow close. I've shot deer from the ground measured in feet. You can't do that without being quiet - and have the wind in your favor.

As long as I have a selection of good gaiters, I'll try to pick the quietest pair.

I like to wear a pair of gaiters - I'm not overly picky about them other than they need to have a soft outershell and be waterproof. Also must have a lace hook at the front. I've found that the stirrups don't last on the pairs that I've had so I just cut them off out the gate. Current pair is just some off brand I picked up at the local sporting goods store - never let the snow in so I guess I'm good to go.

Those Sleeping Indian gaiters are $160!!!! Methinks that might be a little high! I'm sure they're nice, but...

I had, note how I said had.. a pair of the KOM gators and gave them away. Gladly wear my Kenetrek instead.

Dober

I needed a new pair this year and got some Sitka Gear gators for Christmas. Hope to try them out this weekend.

I've got some off brand dark green cordura things. As bad as the snow crunches, the gaiter noise is irrelevant. I focus on staying dry and these do that. Warmer, too.

I also have a pair of soft fuzzy camo cloth things but I mostly only wear them in the sage with sneakers to keep the grass / sage bush parts from invading my shoes. If I can see daylight in places, I just don't trust 'em to stay dry.

Some of the shorter ones would be interesting for wear with snow shoes. Most of my snow shoeing is on hard crusted crap that won't quite bear my weight without breaking through but otherwise is hard as a friggin' rock on top. Smaller snow shoes (Don't need 30x9s for that) and short gaiters sound ideal.

Tom

I have the mtn hardware, they have a thick hypalon strap that should wear easily as long as a pair of boot soles and is replaceable. it is a good system that does not use the typical pinned latch like a dog collar. seems as bullet proof as possible. big wide velcro front with hook, stretch material everywhere that might move, good build quality.....nothing to worry about IMO. the only thing that might bug some is the fact that the are tall and warm.

Thanks for the tip!! You just saved me $25.00 on a new set for my son!!

Respects,

Richard

OR Crocs for me! These things so far have proven indestructible. I have about 4 seasons of use on a pair and they are still going.