Gaiters - Yes or No

imported
#1

Just wanted some opinions concerning gaiters. Are they worth buying and taking along for the whole trip? If so, which type of gaiters would you recommend for both a 6’3" male and a 5’10" female?

crockett

#2

They’re properly called swimmies. Keeps they sox clean and if you have a certain kind of boot, shoes, sandal, barefoot or anti grave device they can keep the pebbles out, mud, water, bugs. BoyHowdy doesn’t use them but he hikes pigeon toed and doesn’t kick up litter. Strider wears his to restuarants and church. OR Rocky Mountain Highs-goretex talls- and plain nylon OR shorties for summer.

Bushwhack

#3

if you wear mid or high boots.
You might need 'em if you use trailrunners, but then that’s
extra weight on the feet.

Scamp

Scamp

#4

I like gaiters. I wear running shoes, and gaiters keep pebbles out of my shoes. Check out TNF Scree Gaiters and OR FlexTex Low Gaiters.

It seems that most people who wear gaiters have the OR Rocky Mtn Low. I don’t like those, cause they don’t work well with running shoes.

yogi

#5

Gaiters are a personal perference item. On the postive, they keep the scree out of your footwear. And, socks last longer because the grit doesn’t wear them out as fast. On the negative, they do tend to keep your feet hotter. So, many wear gaiters. Some don’t

Peaks

#6

The best weight reduction is a 100% weight reduction, and a weight reduction on the foot is even more valuable. That’s one reason I wore running shoes.

Since I didn’t have a problem with debris on the feet, I was happy to leave the gaiters home and didn’t miss them at all.

Colter

#7

I appreciate the feedback from everyone.

I’m thinking they we may just start out without gaiters and if the debri starts to be a problem then we will just pick some up along the way.

Take care,
Crock

crockett

#8

I wore my gaiters all the way to Maine and left then in a hostel. From then on I had problems. I wore hightop boots and would have to take them off at least twice a day just to clean out the trash. I will not hike a long distance with out gaiters. I had friends that did not use them and they ruined the inside of their boots and their socks. At the end of the day your feet are clean and your boots and socks are clean. They smell like crap but they are clean. I got my gaiters from Campmor and they were very light weight material. I didn’t notice I even had them on. I could wear them high or low. They only cost $16. Start your hike with them and mail them home if you don’t like them. I didn’t carry any long pants or rain pants (and we had 0 weather in GA) on our hike and considered my high gaiters as my pants. I did buy some pants in VT. Good luck on your hike

Papa Smurf

#9

I user gaiters, accompanied by a kilt. the two work together really well.

love the gaiters!

Bloody Cactus

#10

Gaiters also keep your socks dry and water out of your shoes/boots/sneakers. I have a pair of what you call FrogHoppers they are a sneaker with a sewn on gaiter. They were made by Etonic, don’t make em anymore, it a shame. I never got a blister or wet feet.

Native

#11

Crockett, Started my thru without my gaiters. When I saw all the poison ivy comming out along the trail I sent home for them thinking that I would need the protection on my legs.
I got them in Elk Park and kept them with me until the end. I would wear them off an on. Mostely to keep the rain from running down into my boots. When it got hotter I would put my gaiters and my rain jacket on when it rained. It helped to keep my ankle high hiking boots dry.
Wearing them in the hot weather made my feet too hot.

Grampie