Boot Gaiters?

[TNbowhunter]

I'm thinking about trying out boot gaiters for early-to-mid season here in Tennessee because full rubber boots are too hot and sweaty, but I want an extra layer of tick and chigger protection between my hiking boots and pants legs (beyond all the Permethrin I douse my shoes, socks, and pants in). Does anyone have a recommendation on which gaiters to buy or other possible solutions? Also, I'm not made of money, so I'm trying to keep the spend reasonable here. Thanks in advance!

 

[sureshotscott]

Not a recommendation exactly but I have Kenetrek gaiters that are occasionally useful. They do a good job of keeping briars from grabbing bootlaces, and with Permethrin treatment are an additional tick defense. They do make my lower legs hot, and they are the first thing I strip off given the chance. If I saw them on sale I'd pick up a 2nd pair.

 

[kyler1945]

I love gaiters. That and a lightweight goretex boot and I can splash through above ankle deep water quickly and not get wet.

keep bugs down.

keeps inside of your boots clean in dusty weather, which keeps much of the stink down.(dirty and sweat makes stink, notjust sweat).

saves bottom hem of pants from briars and pulls and such.

gets you a few degrees further down the thermometer. Yes they’ll be warmer in warm weather too. At that point, I’m all sweaty anyway

I bought a black ovis pair on camofire, they’ve held up three seasons. I tore a 2” hole in one, repaired on both sides with tenacious tape, still fine. They’ve paid for themselves. I think you can get any brand and be fine.

 

[Highridge]

I've got a pair of Outdoor Vision gaiters. Love them but they definitely add a little heat to my legs. I mainly wear them in colder weather but they make a shorter version that comes a little above the ankle that would probably work good for higher temps.

 

[CrackbottomLouis]

Instead of gaiters I find blousing straps useful for keeping out ticks and chiggers. Along with premethrin etc.

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[Weldabeast]

Blousing straps on your gaiters

 

[Jmiller]

I wear them religiously at work as a well-permethrined set of gaiters is one of the best tools for keeping ticks off of me, I’ve found.


I have these:

Men's Crocodile Gaiters - Wide | Outdoor Research

Hall of Fame award-winning protection. These waterproof, breathable gaiters are tough as nails and stand the test of time. You'll never get debris-filled shoes again.

www.outdoorresearch.com

But I subsequently rattle-canned them camo. No idea whether this will affect gore Tex, which IMO doesn’t work anyway.

 

[MaxJac]

Are those snake proof? Seems to me one could kill two birds with one stone.

 

[Jmiller]

Don’t know. Never tested them against a snake and don’t spend any time worrying about snakes.

 

[aclawrence]

I wear a pair of turtle skin gaiters when the snakes are out. During cold weather I switch to my OR croc expedition gaiters that are much nicer. I got a whole wad of seed ticks on my hand yesterday but fortunately nothing made it inside my pants. I picked up a shed and got about 100 of them things on me. Luckily i had a can of bug spray and got them off of me.


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[BenG]

Kenetrek

 

[HomeTownJB]

OR Crocs. Love them.

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[jspradley]

Are those snake proof? Seems to me one could kill two birds with one stone.

No, none of these style gaiters are snake proof.

They are, however, freakin awesome for keeping you dry in wet dewy grass and crossing streams and mudholes.

I have the kuiu ones that are knockoffs of the OR Crocodiles and they have held up incredibly. I've been using this pair since 2016. Has held up to briars, snow, wading and mud.

They also work to tame loose pants legs so they don't rub together when stalking.

They can get sweaty in warm weather though and can make your pants even wetter than if you didn't have them.

One good thing though, when you take them off after wearing them all day you understand exactly why women feel so joyful when they come home and take their bra off. lol

 

[Topdog]

OR Crocs. Love them.

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Same here, I wear those from mid December to mid March coyote hunting and there crazy tuff, with snow shoes.

 

[slydog]

Try gravel guards, fishermen use them with stocking foot waders. I use them during spring Turkey season to keep ticks on the outside.

 

[raisins]

I'm thinking about trying out boot gaiters for early-to-mid season here in Tennessee because full rubber boots are too hot and sweaty, but I want an extra layer of tick and chigger protection between my hiking boots and pants legs (beyond all the Permethrin I douse my shoes, socks, and pants in). Does anyone have a recommendation on which gaiters to buy or other possible solutions? Also, I'm not made of money, so I'm trying to keep the spend reasonable here. Thanks in advance!

I've been very happy with these for trail runners and boots (edit: mid hiking boots, for taller boots or rough stuff I have some tall REI gaiters)

Rocky Mountain Low Gaiters | Outdoor Research

Low profile water resistant gaiters designed for the trail with a stretch hem to help fit a variety of boot profiles.

www.outdoorresearch.com

If you look and google, you can find them for less. I got mine for like 20 bucks. Outdoor Research is very high quality stuff (I usually prefer hiking/outdoor companies to hunting companies because the stuff goes on sale more often and is usually better per dollar spent).