Posted by Bethan Bithell on 2nd Mar 2023
Choosing the correct boot gaiters will depend on a number of factors, including:
- The activity you intend to do
- The length you need
- Whether you have large calves
- The weight
- Features and fabric
Activity Type
When choosing your boot gaiters for walking, what type of activity will you be using them for? Also what type of climate and environment you will be walking or working in. You may find the information below helpful, as you consider which type of gaiter will suit your needs.
Walking:
Gaiters for walking on footpaths, pathways or marked out routes, need to be made from lightweight waterproof, breathable fabric. This design will help to keep small rocks, rain and mud out of your boots.
Recommendation: Classic Ripstop Walking Gaiters
Hiking or Mountaineering:
When out hiking or mountaineering, hiking gaiters need to be made from a tough material in order to withstand rocks ‘scraping’ your leg. You may also find yourself caught out in torrential downpours.
Recommendation: Bonart Wrenbury
Adventure Sports:
You may find that you need a shorter style for when out fell running or mountain biking. As movement is the key issue, these need to be light but strong, preferably made from Teflon fabric.
Recommendation: Ridgeline Defender Gaiters
Hunting, beating or shooting:
When out hunting, beating or shooting you may be walking through rough terrain such as brambles, heather and nettles, therefore, the gaiters need to be tough and tear resistant. Consider those made from duck canvas or heavier material such as 900D polyester.
Recommendation: Percussion Stronger Hunting Gaiters
General Wear & for Work:
Sometimes you may want to wear gaiters for general wear to protect the trouser leg. When doing tough work such as gardening, mowing the lawn or working outdoors (such as forestry) the lighter the better for easy movement.
Recommendation – Hoggs of Fife Field & Trek Gaiters
Gaiter Length
Our collection of gaiters are available in three lengths – short, regular and long
The shorter style is designed to fit just above your ankle helping to keep small stones, debris and rain out when you are, for example, trail walking or working outdoors. These gaiters are great for summer wear – offering extra protection without the bulk!
Regular lengths are designed for rugged conditions and measure approximately 15″ to 18″ in height. They are designed to wear with higher hiking boots. These are best worn when you need protection, for example walking through wet bushes or deep snow or perhaps hiking on rough, tough terrain. These gaiters can help to prevent rocks from scraping your legs and ankles!
Longer styles are suited for those of us who are taller by nature and these are ideal for all types of outdoor activity.
Muscular or large calves
Traditional gaiters may not be wide enough to comfortably fit those of us with larger calves. If this is the case, a solution may be the ‘Snolock’ by Trailwise. These are now available in a ‘Big Calf’ size and measure 50 cm in circumference – these gaiters fit muscular or chunky calves. Made from tough duck cotton canvas, these gaiters are great as protection from brambles and wet bushes or when out mountaineering in deep snow.
Weight
When out hiking or trekking, the weight of your equipment is important and everything adds up. Therefore the lighter the gaiter the better! If hiking in the summer, the short, ankle style may offer sufficient protection. Weighing in at only 4oz, you won't even notice their weight in your rucksack!
Features and fabric of leg gaiters
There are a number of key issues to consider when selecting your gaiters such as the style of closure or the underfoot strap closure. If you are planning on walking outdoors in extreme weather conditions, a front zip closing styles may not be suitable as trying to use a zip may be difficult when your hands are cold! Velcro closing is quicker to put on – and pull off – and of course, colder conditions won’t affect velcro.
Consideration should also be given to the many styles of underfoot closures available such as “hook and bungy”, “lace” or “strap”. It’s also necessary to consider the life span of these underfoot closure systems. Obviously the ‘bungy and hook’ will last longer than ‘laces’. However, it’s worth noting that laces are cheaper and easier to replace.
To ensure a tight fit, and to prevent snow and mud from riding up and to cover the gap between the gaiter and the boot, the ‘hook and bungy’ and ‘strap’ closure systems do offer better protection.
Our range of walking gaiters are fully waterproof, and breathable, and offer additional features such as:
- rip stop polyester fabric – a tough fabric to prevent tearing
- duck cotton canvas – a heavy duty canvas, for your tougher jobs
- cordura – offering resistance to abrasions at the boot section
So, as suggested above, wearing gaiters offers many advantages! If you have never worn them before, and are not sure how to put them on, then do check out our latest video here!
Click here to see the full collection.
RELATED ARTICLE: How to put on walking gaiters effortlessly!
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