What are Hiking Gaiters?

A gaiter is a handy piece of kit that effectively bridges the gap between your boots and your trousers in order to maintain the waterproofing effectiveness of both. A pair of gaiters will serve several functions:

• Added warmth for the often under-insulated lower part of the body
• Preventing stray debris from entering the boots/shoes and causing discomfort and irritation.
• Stopping water from dampening the boots and socks during stream crossings.
• Helping to prevent ticks, leeches, and other large parasites from attaching themselves to a hiker by adding another layer of material to the legs.
• They can make handy waterproof mats in a pinch when you need to place something on the ground without getting it wet.

Most gaiters used by hikers are short, and reach from the heel (where they are attached to the foot by an elastic strap) to the mid shin, where they are attached to the leg by an adjustable strap. There are longer gaiters available (mainly for use in more extreme weather conditions) that reach from the heel to the upper thigh in order to protect the user from moisture cause by deep snow drifts and fording rivers at deeper points. They are generally made from waterproof but breathable materials such as Gore-Tex, which is the most popular fabric with which to make gaiters.

To be perfectly honest, the difference in quality between the least expensive pair of gaiters on the market and the most expensive is not as noticeable as it might be if you were buying a jacket, perhaps. However, this doesn't mean that you should necessarily buy the first pair you come across- as with most consumer products these days, there is always a risk of buying a hastily sewn together piece of rubbish. Here are some of the better available pairs of gaiters for your consideration:

Berghaus Yeti Extreme

These are some of the most expensive short-length gaiters on the market. The Berghaus badge probably costs a little more than it should, but there can be no doubt that this is a top quality gaiter that will last for many moons of hiking given the proper usages and care.

Mammut Nylon

Made from Nylon and Cordura as a pose to Gore-Tex for a change, these are middle of the road gaiters. Good for moderate use, and still good enough to tolerate most conditions you're likely to encounter.

Regatta Cayman

This is an excellent gaiter for a part time hiker. It represents brilliant value for money, and although it may not be manufactured to the highest standards, it is certainly produced by a trusted manufacturer and is unlikely to let you down.