Best Gaiters for Hiking of 2024/25
For all hiking terrains–Ankle, Mid, Full-Length, Lightweight, or Waterproof
Our reviewed gaiters, with 3 mid up top and 3 low on the bottom. Photo courtesy Aubri Drake.
November 10th, 2024
Home > Gear Reviews > Hiking
As hikers, we all know the irritation of getting a rock or grit stuck in our shoe, and the internal struggle of when to stop and remove it. Hiking gaiters can be an excellent tool in each of these circumstances.
All hiking gaiters help keep grit, rocks, and other debris out of our shoes and boots. Mid and full length gaiters can protect legs from thorns, stinging plants and insects, sticks, jagged ice, and sharp traction tools like microspikes and crampons. Full length gaiters (particularly GORE-TEX models) can also be an important part of a layering system for maintaining body temperature, keeping toes warm, and protecting against hypothermia while traveling in foul weather or full winter conditions.
We tested hiking gaiters (both low and mid length) from Oregon to New Hampshire, during trail races, and in temperatures ranging from 0 to 100F degrees to bring you the best hiking gaiters. We’re also testing 4 full length and 3 GORE-TEX winter gaiters, with an update coming after winter season starts.
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Comparison table
| GAITERS | AWARD | BEST USE | MATERIAL | HEIGHTS | WATERPROOF? | ATTACHMENT METHOD | MSRP* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahtoola RENAgaiter Gaiters | Best overall Read why |
3-season hiking; backpacking | nylon | low, mid | No | Zipper, lace hook | $60 |
| Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hybrid | Best comfortable / Best lightweight Read why |
trail running; backpacking | polyester, nylon, spandex | mid | No | Lace hook; heel hook-and-loop (optional) | $39 |
| Dirty Girl Gaiters | Best for thru-hiking Read why |
trail running; backpacking | spandex | low | No | Velcro heel hook-and-loop | $23 |
| Kahtoola INSTAgaiter | trail running; backpacking | nylon | low | No | Zipper, lace hook | $40 | |
| REI Swiftland Running Gaiters | trail running; backpacking | polyester, spandex | low | No | Lace hook; heel hook-and-loop (optional) | $30 |
The winners
Best overall hiking gaiters: Kahtoola RENAgaiters
Best use: 3-season hiking; backpacking
Material: nylon
Waterproof: No
Heights available (low/mid/high): Low, mid
Attachment method: Zipper, lace hook
Price: $60
What we liked: Comfortable, water resistant, replaceable instep strap, zipper for easy on and off
What we didn’t like: The removable hard plastic instep strap can catch on things until adjusted, makes clicking noises on rocks, and can create a slick spot on flat-soled shoes like trail runners that makes technical terrain more difficult
The Kahtoola RENAgaiters are the winner of our Best Overall category. They’re an upgraded twist on a classic, mid length gaiter. They’re made with quick-dry nylon treated with a DWR coat for water resistance, and they breathe fairly well despite being made of a more robust fabric.
They held up to unbrushed trails and underbrush without missing a step. The RENAgaiters also feature a YKK zipper for easy on/off, and the zipper is substantial enough to withstand the wear and tear of miles of trails. Though water can seep in, there is a strip of fabric behind the zipper to prevent most of the seep.
Kahtoola RENAgaiters
The top of the gaiter is adjustable and closed with an elastic cord. They’re adjustable to allow for trail runners, hiking shoes, or hiking boots equally well. The gaiter is available in three different colors and the hard plastic instep strap is adjustable, removable, and replaceable. There is no velcro attachment point on the heel.
Unfortunately, there’s a learning curve to the instep straps; if they’re not flush to a trail runner or hiking shoe, the heel of the gaiter can ride up over the heel of the shoe. Additionally, the hard plastic of the instep strap clicked on rocks and could be distracting. It also can create a slick spot on flat-soled shoes, which was especially difficult on rocky, technical terrain. If desired, hikers can remove the instep strap to avoid these two issues.
Despite this snag, once adjusted, they perform very well across a variety of conditions. Overall, these gaiters are a comfortable, lightweight, and water-resistant 3-season gaiter.
Most comfortable gaiters: Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hybrid Gaiters
Best use: trail running; backpacking
Material: polyester, nylon, spandex
Waterproof: No
Height (low/mid/high): Mid
Attachment method: Lace hook; heel hook-and-loop (optional)
Price: $39
What we liked: Affordable, lightweight, quick dry, relaxed fit, replaceable instep strap
What we didn’t like: Lightweight flexible fabric can catch on underbrush and isn’t robust
The Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hybrid Gaiters are the winner of our Best Comfortable Gaiters and Best Lightweight Gaiters category. They’re a lightweight, water-resistant, quick-dry nylon/polyester/spandex mid-length gaiter. They’re flexible, breathe very well, and have a looser fit around the ankle and lower leg than the RENAgaiters. Because of this looser fit, the fabric more frequently caught on underbrush, and the lightweight fabric doesn’t seem like it will tolerate rough miles well.
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hybrid Gaiters
Similar to Dirty Girl gaiters (review below), you wear these gaiters by putting your foot through them prior to putting on your shoes. The top of the gaiter is adjustable and closes with an elastic cord. They can easily accommodate trail runners, hiking shoes, or hiking boots.
The rubberized instep strap is removable and replaceable, and there is no Velcro attachment point on the heel. Unfortunately, this lighter fabric and the instep strap has begun to show wear after a few hikes through technical terrain.
These gaiters are a great option if you’re looking to avoid zippers, want a soft instep strap, and value a soft, breathable, flexible fabric. Overall, the Ferrosi Hybrids are very comfortable, lightweight, and water-resistant 3-season gaiter.
Best gaiters for thru-hiking: Dirty Girl Gaiters
Best use: trail running; backpacking
Material: spandex
Waterproof: No
Height (low/mid/high): Low
Attachment method: Velcro heel hook-and-loop
Price: $23
What we liked: Lightweight, comfortable, multiple sizes, affordable, colorful, no instep strap, no zippers or buckles to malfunction
What we didn’t like: Velcro heel attachment required
The Dirty Girl Gaiters are our Best Thru-hiking winner. Dirty Girls are a staple on any long trail and for good reason! They’re the cheapest gaiter we’ve tested and they’re very colorful, with dozens of fun patterns available to enhance your hiking style. They’re lightweight, easy to wash, and quick to dry. They attach to trail runners and hiking shoes easily, with a low-profile shoelace hook in front and a Velcro pad in the back. They don’t catch on underbrush, there’s no zip or buckle that could fail, and no field maintenance required.
Dirty Girl Gaiters
Dirty Girl gaiters on a Great Range Traverse in the Adirondacks. Photo courtesy Aubri Drake.
Our reviewer has enjoyed half a dozen pairs of these over the last decade, and their durability is remarkable. With thousands of miles on each pair, the points of failure are few and far between: one pair lost their shoelace hooks on the Appalachian Trail (safety pins were a quick and easy fix), and one half of a pair was stolen by a dust devil on the Pacific Crest Trail.
The one caveat is that these gaiters do require a piece of heel Velcro to function properly. Over many years, we’ve found that only using the Velcro adhesive isn’t enough for long-term wear. Unfortunately, standard superglue is too thin to create a robust connection. However, our easy fix has been to buy a thicker adhesive glue, like E6000 or Gorilla Glue. This kind of glue has kept the Velcro attached for months of trail time, outlasting the life of the shoes they’re attached to.
Dirty Girls are a time-tested, fun summer-weight gaiter to keep dirt, dust, and rocks out of your shoes while you dayhike, trail run, or backpack.
Other hiking gaiters we tested
Kahtoola INSTAgaiters
Best use: trail running; backpacking
Material: nylon
Waterproof: No
Height (low/mid/high): low, mid
Attachment method: Zipper, lace hook
Price: $40
What we liked: Lightweight, water resistant, replaceable instep strap, zipper for easy on and off
What we didn’t like: The hard plastic instep strap, the elastic at the top of the gaiter can pinch, zippers let water in
The Kahtoola INSTAgaiters are very similar to the Kahtoola RENAgaiters, but are low-rise rather than mid, and are made with a lighter-weight fabric. They’re constructed of quick-dry nylon with a DWR coat for water resistance and they also breathe fairly well compared to gaiters made of elastane.
They held up to unbrushed trails and underbrush. The top of the gaiter is adjustable and closed with an elastic cord, which is tight and can pinch. The INSTAgaiters feature a YKK zipper for easy on/off, and the zipper can withstand the wear and tear of trails. However, water can seep in through the zipper. They’re also a snug fit, best for trail runners and more narrow or streamlined hiking shoes.
Kahtoola INSTAgaiters
The Kahtoola INSTAgaiters in action. Photo courtesy Aubri Drake.
The gaiter is available in four different colors and the hard plastic instep strap is adjustable, removable, and replaceable. Like with the RENAgaiters (see review above), the instep straps can be a challenge. The hard plastic of the instep strap was especially difficult to use with trail runners, since they’re all flat soled and the strap created a slick spot. These gaiters could be a good fit for someone looking for a zippered low gaiter, or a low gaiter that isn’t spandex.
Material: nylon, spandex
Waterproof: No
Height (low/mid/high): mid
Attachment method: Shoelace hook
Price: $45
What we liked: Replaceable underfoot strap/buckle
What we didn’t like: Velcro heel attachment required
The Outdoor Research Ferrosi Thru Gaiters are similar to the Ferrosi Hybrid Gaiters (see review above), but they’re longer. They’re oddly in the middle between a mid and a full-length gaiter, satisfying neither category. They use the same lightweight, quick-dry nylon and can be used with trail runners, hiking shoes, or boots.
Like the Ferrosi Hybrid, they’re flexible, breathe very well, and have a looser fit around the ankle and lower leg. There’s a removable rubberized instep strap, which is a thin version of Outdoor Research’s winter gaiter strap. These could be a good option if you’re looking for a longer version of the Ferrosi Hybrid gaiters.
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Thru Gaiters
Best use: trail running; backpacking
Material: polyester, spandex
Waterproof: No
Height (low/mid/high): low
Attachment method: Lace hook; heel hook-and-loop (optional)
Price: $30
What we liked: Lightweight, replaceable underfoot strap
What we didn’t like: Anti-slip grip pulled on ankle hair and skin, thick spandex didn’t breath well, Velcro heel attachment needed, fragile instep cord
The REI Swiftland Running Gaiters are underwhelming. They’re only available in black, and are constructed of a remarkably thick spandex that lacks breathability. They’re tight on the ankle, with no adjustment possible.
They’re intended primarily to be used with trail runners, though streamlined hiking shoes could work. The anti-slip grip on the ankle also pulled painfully on leg hair. The shoelace hook is larger than expected and sticks out at an odd angle, causing it to collect underbrush (particularly ferns) along unbrushed trails. The 2mm elastic instep cord is removable and replaceable, but it’s fragile, and the adjustment toggle is difficult to tuck away and can catch. The gaiter offers a Velcro heel attachment if desired, and would likely be required if the instep cord is removed. These could be an option if you’re swinging by REI seeking lightweight gaiters, and other options aren’t available.
REI Swiftland Running Gaiters
Dirty Girl gaiters after a 100-mile race. Photo courtesy Aubri Drake.
Why you need hiking gaiters
Protection from debris and snow in shoes
The most salient reason to wear gaiters is this one. Snow inside shoes can be painful, rubbing until it finally melts, leaving your socks soaking wet and your skin raw or shredded. In good conditions, it’s annoying to stop to remove debris from your shoes to prevent blisters and damage to socks. In poor conditions, it can be impossible to stop, forcing you to push forward while actively feeling your feet blister.
Water and mud resistance
Gaiters protect shoes and boots from mud and water that reaches higher than their waterproofing. This can allow hikers to rock hop across water crossings with dry feet. Even when the low leg must be submerged during a water crossing or flooded trails, gaiters can help keep water out of footwear and keep the lower leg warmer.
Protection from vegetation
Full gaiters can help protect the lower leg from prickers, vines, stinging nettle, poodle-dog bush, sharp tree branches, and poisonous plants. They’re especially useful for bushwhacking, areas recovering after fire, and overgrown or narrow trails.
Insect and snake protection
Low and mid-length gaiters can protect the ankles from insect bites, while full knee-high gaiters provide a more robust coverage. While the true effectiveness is debatable, some places recommend GORE-TEX knee-high gaiters when bushwhacking in rattlesnake or other venomous snake habitat.
Thermal insulation
Mid and full-length gaiters help keep the lower leg warm and then the toes by extension. For people who run cold or have circulation troubles (like Raynaud's Disease), full-length gaiters are an excellent piece of gear for extra warmth when paired with GORE-TEX or insulated boots. In cold rain, wet snow, flooded spring trails, melting snowpack, and fresh snowfall, knee-high GORE-TEX gaiters are essential safety equipment helping keep hikers and backpackers warm.
Minimize environmental impact
In shoulder conditions when there can be excessive mud, flooded trails, or melting snowpack, gaiters allow hikers to walk directly through the obstacle without getting their dry footwear wet. This protects fragile vegetation and the surrounding area from soil erosion and trail widening.
Protects lower leg and extends boot lifespan
When worn in winter or shoulder season, full gaiters can protect the lower leg and boots from damage due to sharp rocks or winter traction devices (e.g., microspikes, crampons, snowshoes). Gaiters can also protect shoe and boot uppers from trail wear and tear.
Rocky Mountain High gaiters on Mt Bond, as part of a shoulder-season ZBonds Traverse in the White Mountains. Photo by Eric Hansen.
What to look for in hiking gaiters
Material
Gaiters come in a variety of synthetic materials — most often, nylon and GORE-TEX. Nylon has a bit of stretch, while GORE-TEX has none. Lightweight gaiters are made of polyester or elastane (spandex), and they’re very flexible.
Waterproofing
Gaiters made of GORE-TEX are waterproof and some (though not all) nylon gaiters add a waterproof finish. It is worthwhile to note that the tradeoff for a higher level of waterproofing is a reduction in breathability, which can lead to sweat accumulating inside the gaiter.
Breathability
The more breathable a gaiter is, the less waterproof it will be. The gaiters with the greatest degree of breathability are polyester or elastane and GORE-TEX has the least, with nylon in the middle.
Durability
While lightweight gaiters are more breathable, they are less durable. I’ve punctured elastane gaiters on sharp roots and tree branches. Nylon lasts fairly well, though it is not as robust as GORE-TEX in withstanding tough conditions and rough treatment, like exposure to sharp tree branches, snowshoes, microspikes, and crampons. GORE-TEX is the most long-lasting of the three options for gaiter material.
Size and fit
Gaiter sizes are based on shoe sizes, with some brands also incorporating calf size. The more flexible the material, the easier it is to size properly because there’s more room for variation in shoe vs. boot and in a person’s lower leg circumference.
If the gaiter is too small, it won’t enclose the shoe or lower leg properly and can be very uncomfortable, as well as defeating any possible waterproofing. If the gaiter is too large, it will sag or fall down altogether, leaving many gaps between the gaiter and the shoe and lower leg, allowing water and debris into the shoe.
Closure systems
Most gaiters use a combination of front lace hooks and an instep strap to secure them to the shoe or boot. Some lightweight gaiters utilize a piece of Velcro on the heel to secure the back of the gaiter rather than an instep strap. Some trail running shoes have a Velcro “gaiter trap” built in, like Altra and Merrell. Instep straps need to be flush to the shoe or they are a substantial tripping hazard, catching on sticks, trees, and roots.
Height
Gaiters come in three heights: low, mid, and full. Low, ankle-high gaiters are typically meant for wearing with trail runners or hiking shoes. Mid, shin-high gaiters can be worn with trail runners, hiking shoes, or boots. Full, knee-high gaiters typically assume they will be worn with hiking or mountaineering boots; be sure to read the sizing directions carefully and consider sizing down if you intend to use them with trail runners or hiking shoes.
Weight
Gaiters can vary in weight from 2 oz up to 8 oz, with most low gaiters at 1.5-3 oz, mid gaiters at 3-6 oz, and full gaiters at 6-8 oz.
Ease of use
Lightweight gaiters are often pulled on over the foot prior to putting on the shoe, while most 3 or 4-season gaiters utilize a full-length Velcro or zipper. This allows the gaiter to fully encase the lower leg, keeping snow and water away from pants, socks, and boots. In either case, it can be irritating to have to unhook or adjust the gaiter to change socks or tie shoelaces. However, it is substantially more annoying to be forced to stop and remove debris from shoes. When wearing full length gaiters, one method for venting heat (like during uphill climbing) can be to undo the Velcro or zipper to allow for more airflow around the lower leg.
Compatibility with footwear
As mentioned above, different styles of gaiters assume different types of footwear (e.g., trail runners and hiking shoes vs. hiking boots). Additionally, some gaiters require a Velcro piece on the heel of the shoe in order to function. If a shoe does not already have this feature, you must stick or glue a Velcro piece yourself. I’ve had a gaiter fail to function after a Velcro piece fell off mid thru-hike and it was troublesome enough that I now carry extra Velcro pieces and glue in my repair kit.
Intended use
Lightweight, low gaiters are typically intended for trail runners, thru-hikers, and other people moving across the landscape in a quick-and-light fashion in summer. Mid gaiters can straddle the line between summer and winter seasons, valley weather and summit weather. Full gaiters are most often intended for bushwhacking, foul weather, cold temperatures, and winter conditions.
Two friends on a winter Great Range Traverse in the Adirondacks. Wearing gaiters in the winter is essential. Photo courtesy Aubri Drake.
How to choose hiking gaiters
The gaiter will perform best if used for its intended purpose. Consider the conditions where you’ll be looking to use gaiters. Most people will be looking for a light, breathable, 3-season gaiter to keep dirt and rocks out of their shoes while hiking on established trails, but if you're headed out in cooler conditions or thicker brush, go with taller gaiters.
In warmer conditions, knee-high gaiters can increase sweat rate and make it much harder to cool down. While knee-high nylon gaiters can be appropriate in specific summer conditions (like late season snowpack or cold water crossings), they’re overkill for most people. GORE-TEX gaiters are almost never used in summer except for bushwhacking in rattlesnake habitat.
For shoulder season, with cool temperatures, newly fallen or newly melting snow, higher water crossings, and overall wet and muddy conditions, knee-high nylon gaiters are a great match. For people who run cold or who are further from the front country, GORE-TEX gaiters may be appropriate.
For winter hiking, gaiters are imperative. They keep snow out of hiking boots, further waterproof the boot and lower leg when wet feet can be dangerous, and help keep toes warm by further insulating the entire lower leg. Depending on winter temperatures and personal preference, knee-high nylon or GORE-TEX gaiters can be a good fit.
How to size and fit gaiters
Most gaiters are sized based on shoe size; a few include calf circumference as an additional measurement.
It’s important to consider the type of gaiter (e.g., winter vs. 3-season) and what footwear you'll be wearing. Many models of gaiters are designed assuming you’ll be wearing it with high hiking boots or winter boots. If you're wearing hiking shoes or trail running shoes, look for gaiters designed specifically for use with those kinds of shoes.
Another tip on sizing: If you want to wear gaiters with low hiking boots or trail runners, you’ll need to size down. If you’ll be wearing thicker insulated pants, multiple layers, knee high socks, or anything else that will increase the circumference of your lower leg, consider sizing up. Also know that GORE-TEX is less stretchy than nylon gaiters, so be sure to dial in the sizing before spending the extra cash on GORE-TEX.
Hiking gaiters care and maintenance tips
Gaiters should be washed by hand and line dried to prevent damage and to ensure the longest life possible. While gaiters can be put through the dryer if absolutely necessary, it’s not typically recommended; if you have to, I’d use the “air only”/”tumble dry no heat” setting. Kahtoola is the only brand we reviewed that recommends machine washing and drying their gaiters.
Additionally, GORE-TEX or waterproof nylon gaiters can lose waterproofing when washed with standard laundry detergent. It is recommended that these gaiters are washed with a tech wash. Check out this Treeline Review article for more information on how to clean and care for GORE-TEX products. And as part of regular maintenance, consider using a zipper cleaner and lubricant to keep gaiter zippers healthy and happy.
Gaiters do break down over time and with hard use. In my experience, the instep strap and the strap’s corresponding buckle are the most frequent source of failure. Some brands have enhanced the lifespan of their products by allowing for repairability, offering gaiters with replaceable parts. This feature is important to cut down on the gear that ends up in landfills.
One of the best cheap and easy tips I found for winter hiking was to pack zip ties — these can be used to do a quick field repair on gear that has come apart. I’ve used small zip ties to secure my gaiters when the buckles broke and I tripped myself by stepping on the other boot’s instep strap.
How we researched and tested
We tested gaiters on a wide variety of terrain, from day-long adventures in the White Mountains of New Hampshire to a 100-mile race on the Oregon Pacific Crest Trail, from smooth dirt roads to technical mountain terrain, from 100 degrees down to 0 degrees. We narrowed down the many gaiters out there to 13 of the most popular gaiters.
About the author / Why you should trust us
Aubri ('Data') Drake is a queer and transgender hiker, ultrarunner, writer, researcher, and LGBTQ+ activist. Aubri discovered long-distance backpacking in 2013 and has been running away to the woods ever since. They’ve hiked the Appalachian Trail, Europe’s Tour du Mont Blanc, Vermont's Long Trail, John Muir Trail x2, Tahoe Rim Trail, New England Trail, New Hampshire's Cohos Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Arizona Trail, and Colorado Trail.
Aubri has also completed numerous Northeast peakbagging lists in both winter and summer seasons including the Northeast 111 4000 Footers and the New England Hundred Highest. They’ve run ultramarathon distances up to 100 miles, completed the Northeast Ultra 8, and set 21 Fastest Known Times. Aubri has logged more than 9,000 miles on their feet (in gaiters) in the last three years, and their writing has been featured in Trail Runner Magazine and Long Trail News magazine.
You can read more on their Instagram, website or author page.
