Gaiters have long been a staple of outdoor gear. Why use gaiters? Are they just another piece to invest in and spend a lot of time adjusting? These sleeve-like inventions that secure with straps or elastic could become your favorite accessory. Let’s look at several good reasons to use gaiters and general construction so you can make an informed decision.
Why Use Gaiters?
There are two primary reasons to use gaiters: repelling moisture and debris. There is a vulnerable gap where your leg meets your footwear, leaving it exposed to the elements. Keeping your feet dry on the trail is a crucial component to an enjoyable experience. Rain, or even dew from tall grass, can accumulate into your footwear rapidly.
Whether falling from the sky or just wicking down your leg off your shell layers, that opening in the top of your shoe can act as a funnel, bringing considerable moisture into your footbed. Snow can also pile up dramatically in the back of your boots and melt into a soggy mess quickly.
Debris like sand, gravel, or even pesky grass seeds can also be deposited at the top of your shoe opening. Some grass seeds have evolved to embed themselves in our skin and can be almost impossible to remove from your socks or footwear fabric. A few adjustments to your gaiters throughout your trip may well outweigh the negative aspects of sand rubbing on an ankle.
Year Round Uses
There are many applications for gaiters. They help keep snow and rain out of shoes when winter trail-running. Ultra-runners use them to keep debris away when time is of the essence. With the proactive use of gaiters, runners have cleaner shoes and socks as well as less abrasion injuries. Many hikers use gaiters to keep grass or plant material at bay when using less defined trails. Snowshoeing and skiing are classic opportunities for gaiter use in the backcountry.
Construction and Materials
Gaiters come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. Longer waterproof versions are great for snow sports, as they are typically constructed with heavier materials that withstand abrasion from metal gear that they may come in contact with, such as bottom cleats. These often have straps that ensure they won’t ride up and leave your boot tops exposed. Shorter, lightweight materials can be more all-purpose and used for both fair weather hiking and snow sports.
In conclusion, the answer to “Why use gaiters?” can be summed up thusly: You will have drier feet and footwear, less abrasion injuries, and your investment will be relatively small. They could quite easily make all the difference between an enjoyable weekend in inclement or cold weather and a miserable one. Why not try a pair on your next outdoor adventure?
Featured Image from Kris Loewen/Unsplash
