They are essentially a cylinder of fairly rigid waterproof fabric that flanges a bit at the bottom to fit over the boot tops and laces. They have a draw string at the top, and NO ELASTIC IN THE MIDDLE! They are stiff enough to stay up on their own, and the draw string at the top is ONLY to stop stuff falling down them. To stay in place, gaiters attach to your legs and footwear in several places. They tighten around your calf or ankle with straps or a drawcord so they don’t sag or fall down. A durable rubber strap fits under the sole of your shoes to prevent the gaiters from riding up. A lace hook holds the gaiters over the top of your shoes. An entry system (usually velcro) allows you to open the gaiters up to put them on and take them off. One of my gaiters laid out flat When Do I Need Gaiters? Choosing the right fit and size will determine how comfortable your hike, hunting, or run will be. If gaiters don’t fit well they will even let water, debris, insects in which will definitely be uncomfortable. The most common gaiter sizes are Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large. The way your gaiters fit onto your foot and shin has a lot to do with how good they are at keeping debris out. Gaiters for technical climbing have a cinch at the top, a velcro closure, a bootlace hook, and an instep strap. The model delivers tremendous all-season shielding against any dangerous outdoor elements courtesy of the features highlighted here: Premium design

Though brands will say their material does both jobs, it usually does more of one or the other. So as a rule, get a gaiter that’s only as waterproof as you need it to be. Gaiters are one of those things that you just have to try to decide whether or not you like them. Some hikers find that they provide much needed protection and others just find that they make their feet hot. The utility that gaiters provide really depends on the terrain and climate you’re hiking in. In some conditions, gaiters are almost a necessity.

Hot and sweaty- Gaiters trap heat in your shoes which makes your feet sweat more. This gets uncomfortable. Particularly if you’re hiking in hot regions like the tropics or deserts. Instep straps- This part of the gaiter holds the lower edges of your gaiters around your shoes to prevent them from riding up. The instep straps attach under the sole of your boots under your arch. There are other ways around this though. Lower gaiters, particularly over-the-ankle fits, allow more airflow to your calf. Having adjustable cuffs lets you adjust them to let more air in as well. Durability How often will you use them?- If you just occasionally day hike, you can get away low-end budget gaiters. If you’re thru hiking, you’ll need durable and long lasting gaiters that can take a beating.

Entry system- Calf height and taller hiking and mountaineering gaiters usually attach with a long strip of hook and loop fastener (Velcro) down the front of the gaiters. The Velcro generally measures about 2 inches wide and runs the entire length of the gaiter so they open up completely. Some models use a zipper entry system instead. Ankle height trail runners sometimes don’t have an entry system. You just stretch the gaiters around your ankle and shoe. Nylon fabric alone provides some waterproofing, but not a ton. The most high-end gaiters use waterproof membranes like Gore-Tex to keep you dry. Gore-Tex fabric is a proprietary material used in outdoor gear, and is the gold standard for waterproofing. BreathabilityThe velcro runs from the front at the bottom end, diagonally up the outer side, not directly up the front, such that the top overlaps the bottom and water runs off nicely.. Snake gaiters are designed to protect you from venomous snake bites, thorns, and any other things you might bump into while hiking. This protection comes from the materials the gaiters are made from. Looking for snake chaps for my 4-year old grandson because of a previous snake encounter. I had a hard time finding guards for a young child who is also small in size and found these. They fit my grandson perfectly and he loves them! They seems to be well made and will provide good protection. Would recommend this product for small, young children. My hobbies have made me obsessive about researching and comparing gear. I put that obsession to good use and produced this guide to help you find the perfect pair of gaiters. Most folks associate fit with coziness, not entirely in this case. The model that fits snugly is better at keeping you safe from snakes. Actually, open spaces expose you to deadly fangs. Opt for adjustable models to get a customized fit. No doubt, the brands with secure straps and a contoured design are perfect in this case. III. Layers of protection