Four Reasons to Add Gaiters to Your Preparedness Gear

Dating back to at least the 18th century, gaiters provide a bridge of protection between the wearer’s shoe and their leg.  They are an often overlooked piece of outdoor clothing, but benefit the wearer in a number of ways.  Gaiters are designed to be worn as an outer layer over pants and shoes and most are flexible enough in sizing that the same pair can be worn with either regular shoes or snow boots. They come in various sizes and materials, most being waterproof and built of durable fabric.

If you don’t own a pair of gaiters, here are four reasons to consider adding them to your preparedness gear:

1.  Low snow.  In low snow, gaiters can be worn with snow boots or waterproof hiking boots and will keep your pants dry and the snow out of your shoes.  They take up much less space in a pack than a full pair of snow pants and provide the same protection to the bottom half of your legs.

2.  Deep snow.  Did your snow get a little deeper?  Use gaiters over your snow pants to keep the connection between pants and boots tight and waterproof.  Great for snowshoe trips!

3.  Mud.  Hiking in mud can result in wet muddy pants, socks, and legs.  Keep all that wet and mud off of your skin by strapping your gaiters on before heading out in muddy conditions.

4.  Brush.  Even if it’s not wet or cold out, a pair of gaiters can protect your legs.  Wear them to keep from getting scratched or collecting seed heads all over your lower legs while you’re moving through brush or tall grass.

My husband likes the Outdoor Research Crocodile gaiters and mine are the Outdoor Designs eVent gaiters.  They both have seen frequent use and we’ve never had a problem with either of them.  If you’re going to encounter snow, mud, or brush in your outdoor adventures, stay clean, dry, and scratch-free by adding a pair of gaiters to your gear.

Keep preparing!
Angela