Using Gaiters With Hiking Boots

Gaiters Are A Useful Addition To Trekking Boots

Apr 27, 2009 Bruce Iliff

Apart from keeping mud and slush out of the hiking boots, gaiters have a number of other benefits.

Gaiters As Protection

Protection from the environment is one of the main reasons to use gaiters with a good pair of hiking boots. With a tough pair of gaiters, slipping over rocks and pushing through thorny undergrowth is much easier.

The impact of an accidental step into a mud hole is reduced if the gaiters keep the mud out. And walking in the rain feels much better with gaiters forming a cover over the top of the hiking boot. This is important when hiking tracks notorious for mud and rain such as the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea.

Protection from some of the more dangerous fauna is another practical use of gaiters. If made from solid material and providing a tight fit on the hiking boot, they should offer far better protection for a wayward snake bite than bare skin. When stepping over a log or large rock, it is reassuring to be wearing solid gaiters as the leg drops into that unknown space on the other side; even if the area has first been checked with a trekking pole.

Gaiters can also assist in keeping out the smaller nasties like leeches and ticks. A light spray of insect repellent around the bottom of the gaiter is usually enough to keep them at bay. Even without a repellent, the gaiter can provide a physical barrier that the blood sucking little terrors need to get past.

Other Uses For Gaiters

Another use of gaiters is at the completion of the day’s walk. If not too dirty, they can provide a good seat cover over a rock or stony ground. Of course, sit on the inside of the gaiter, which should be cleaner than the outside.

Gaiters can be used as a doormat at the entrance to the tent. They can also provide a mat to keep some things out of contact with the ground, such as a crouching knee, a cup of tea or clean socks.

Attaching The Gaiter To The Hiking Boot

The gaiter should make a good connection onto the hiking boot. This is usually achieved with a strap under the hiking boot to hold the gaiter down, and a clip on the front to fit onto the laces. Another clip attaches the gaiter around the back of the hiking boot.

With the gaiter firmly hugging the hiking boot, the foot, boot and gaiter should feel like the one unit; well supported, protected and working together.

Buying Gaiters

When purchasing gaiters some of the things to look for are:

• The gaiters should attach securely to the hiking boot, almost making the gaiter a part of the hiking boot.

• They should be made of good quality, solid material. The gaiters are the first line of defence and will cop a bit of abuse scraping against rocks and logs so need to be tough.

• They should be designed so that it easy to get out of the hiking boot / gaiter combination quickly and easily to enable the feet to be aired during rest stops. If it all comes apart in one, it is more likely to be taken off.

• The gaiters must be comfortable to wear. There shouldn't be any rubbing spots and the movement of leg and ankle and hiking boot shouldn't feel restricted.

A solid pair of gaiters, when used in combination with a good pair of hiking boots, are a great benefit when out trekking in places such as New Zealand’s Milford Track.