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Looking for a new pair of gaiters to keep your feet dry and your footwear grit-free? We purchased 12 of the best pairs available today to put to the test. Our team of die-hard sloggers pushed these contenders to their limits through snow, slush, talus, dust, and mud. From posthole-worthy options to low-ankle trail runners, our review spans the full spectrum of styles and uses. There are a lot of options out there, but our experts honed in on the most important metrics to help you make the right decision for your next adventure.
Gaiters are but one piece of the puzzle for keeping your feet clean and dry. We've also got opinions on the best hiking socks, and if you're looking for footwear, we've tested hiking boots and hiking shoes for both men and women.
Editor's Note: Our gaiter review was updated on November 7, 2024, to include more specs for each of our award winners.
The Rab Muztag GTX is a winter wonder gaiter that offers an excellent balance between durability and comfort. At under 8 ounces for the pair, this model will keep your feet warm and dry without weighing you down on the trail. The Muztag is fully waterproof and sits just below the knee, meaning that they are prime for plunging through deep snow. The instep strap is wide, thick, and durable, and it is even ostensibly replaceable since it is held in place by velcro instead of being sewn in. The bootlace hook is also super secure, and overall, this pair is more comfortable than any other longer-length model we tested.
Our primary concern with the Muztag regards long-term durability. Though designed for heavy use, the fabric isn't as thick as other tall models we tested. If you want a more hefty and durable gaiter, check out the Black Diamond Apex GTX. Also, the boot hook is plastic, which could crack if you inadvertently step on it at camp. Another comparatively minor critique is that these gaiters sound like crinkling paper, which can be a bit distracting if you're trying to enjoy the silence of nature. Nevertheless, if we were going hiking after a fresh snowstorm, this is the pair we would reach for first.
Potentially too warm for summer and too short for snow
Susceptible to snagging
SPECIFICATIONS
Length
10 in
Weight (each)
3.5 oz
Material
Nylon
Water Resistant?
Yes, 3-layer waterproof/breathable fabric
Attachment
Hook and loop, instep strap
The REI Co-op Backpacker Low is a solid mid-height model and the best of its kind in our testing lineup. If you do a lot of sloggy hiking in the spring and fall but also want something for shoveling the snow from your driveway, this is your all-in-one. It has a heavy-duty lower, so it can easily withstand brambles, rocks, and microspikes. During testing, the Backpacker proved up to the task of repelling water, pebbles, and other grit. They are easy to attach, comfortable to wear, and a great value model overall.
Keep in mind that the value of the Backpacker Low is relative. If you're the type who likes to have the ideal accouterments for every situation, there are other options we tested that perform better under certain situations (i.e., in the heat of summer or the dead of winter). Regardless, these gaiters are strongly worth considering if you want a decent performer across multiple seasons and don't plan to run in them. If you do need a pair for running, the award-winning Dirty Girl Gaiter might put a pep in your step!
Hook and loop, hypalon instep strap, elastic back heel, reinforced boot lace hooks
The Outdoor Research Helium is a full-length gaiter with an ultralight mentality. At just over two and a half ounces each, this gaiter is easily the lightest full-length option in the category and one that we would definitely want on hand for sloppy shoulder seasons when the weather is warm but snow and mud are plentiful. It's super thin, but a fully waterproof construction makes it a great option when you want leg and foot protection without too much insulation. It has a replaceable instep strap, a thicker nylon lower, and a thin nylon upper. It works well with traditional, mid-to-high-ankle hiking and winter boots.
Gear this light always comes with tradeoffs, and these gaiters are no exception. Despite the full length, the thinness of the material means it's not especially insulating; water crossings will still feel cold and wet, even if your feet stay dry. Check out the Outdoor Research Crocodile for a tall gaiter with more warmth. The Helium's upper fabric is delicate enough that we have questions about its long-term durability on ice and talus. Drawbacks aside, this is still the pair we would want on our legs when full-length protection is paramount, but staying comfortable is also key.
These full-length gaiters are one of our favorites for shoulder season muck when you still want lots of coverage.
The Dirty Girl Gaiter is a long-distance hiker's dream. They are super lightweight but also have thicker, more durable fabric than other similar models we tested, so they stand up to use and abuse on the trail. The shoelace hook is very secure, and we noticed they don't ride up nearly as easily or often as similar trail running models. They aren't waterproof, but they will keep the mist and fog off of your socks, and they are dynamite comfortable — we barely even noticed when we were wearing them during testing.
After all our testing, our only gripe with the Dirty Girl is that they require some installation on your footwear before use. If your sneakers lack a trap at the heel, you'll have to make one with the included velcro. This process isn't long, but the velcro can be challenging to adhere depending on the sneakers and how old and/or dirty they are. Also, they're built from thin material, meaning they can't match the durability of the heftier options we tested. Still, the tradeoff is they offer great comfort and breathability for high-output use in warm weather. In any case, if you need a pair for trail running or long-distance backpacking, this model is, without a doubt, a total steal. Another option to consider for trail running and backpacking is the Altra Trail Gaiter. Although they're slightly less durable, they're super lightweight, comfortable, and easier to attach.
This pair isn't waterproof, but it does a great job of keeping debris out of your trail runners when you need to move quickly.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
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Testing through slop and scree, we put each model through the wringer.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
How We Test Gaiters
We have been testing gaiters for over 5 years. In that time, we have researched dozens of options and had our team of experienced hikers, runners, and mountaineers put them to the test. In addition to water and dirt immersion testing, we take to the trails to really put each model through its paces. It becomes much easier to determine which ones are up to the task and which ones fall short by taking these accessories on trip after trip, run after run. We perform leg-by-leg comparisons, simultaneously wearing a different (but comparable) model on each foot, allowing us to control environmental conditions. The strategy here is to rack up the miles and let those miles tease out the differences between models. We paid particular attention to the comfort level, degree of protection, the amount of effort of attachment, and how well each pair held up to our rigorous use.
Our gaiter testing is divided across six rating metrics:
Comfort and Breathability (25% of overall score weighting)
Debris Protection (25% weighting)
Durability (15% weighting)
Ease of Attachment (15% weighting)
Water Resistance (10% weighting)
Weight (10% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
Lead reviewer Ben Applebaum-Bauch is no stranger to backpacking through wet, cold, muddy trails. He has guided trips along the most rugged portions of the Appalachian Trail, including the 100-Mile Wilderness, and bagged countless peaks in New Hampshire's White Mountains in all seasons. He is an avid distance hiker, splashing through thousands of miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, Long Trail, Colorado Trail, and Oregon Coast Trail. His adventures have equipped him to appreciate the value of warm, dry feet and to know the ins and outs of gaiters that claim to offer that protection.
We racked up the miles in all manner of environments to help you pick the best option.
The Outdoor Research Crocodile has a thick lower and a tight seal around hiking boots to keep debris out.
If you're going to be in snow and cold, the FrontPoint is protective and water resistant.
Analysis and Test Results
Because there are so few moving parts, the differences between similar gaiters are more slight than with, say, the footwear they are covering. Different models are designed for various conditions and hiking styles, but the elegant simplicity of this piece of equipment is largely the same across the board. After aggressive field testing, we observed which survived with the least damage and which performed best in various conditions. They protect the wearer from debris, moisture, snow, and ice when designed well. They keep feet drier, warmer, and, as a result, healthier than they would be in boots alone.
What's the Best Value?
Though not part of a product's overall numerical score, we recognize that value is an important component of most purchasing decisions. To quantify the old maxim price is what you pay, value is what you get, we find it worthwhile to compare the overall score of each product relative to its price. Models that score highly and are priced reasonably offer great value, but it is also possible that less expensive products still score highly enough to have good value as well. Products in this review that offer in the value department are the REI Backpacker Low, the Black Diamond Talus, and the Dirty Girl Gaiter.
Not all mountain situations call for gaiters, but a decent pair can make post holing almost bearable.
Credit: Thomas Greene
Comfort and Breathability
These products are meant to keep junk and gunk out, but that doesn't mean they need to trap the sweat in. Ideally, you don't even know a pair is there until you realize you haven't had to stop to dump out sand or pine needles from your shoes all day. We assessed comfort by noting how each pair felt on our body and fit over footwear and clothing.
Breathability is an important complement to comfort because sweaty feet can also be a source of discomfort, as is the chafing that comes along from rough or tight material rubbing against bare skin. In assessing this aspect, we considered the little things: how long it took for us to notice we had gaiters on (or to forget) and whether or not the buckle, snaps, hooks, and elastic pulls were in the right place or cutting off our circulation.
Lightweight trail-running models like the Altra Trail are much more breathable than mid- or full-length gaiters.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
When it comes to breathability, we are impressed with the lightweight Dirty Girl. This trail running model is made with super-stretchy nylon, allowing ankles to air out easily. Another top performer is the Altra Trail, which is even thinner and also highly breathable. With either of these pairs, it is easy to forget that you are wearing them. Taking top honors for this metric in the full-length models, the Outdoor Research Helium offers ample comfort while maintaining knee-high protection. We are also impressed with the performance of the Rab Muztag, another long-length model. The lightweight fabric on this pair is supple yet kept us warm in the snow without making us sweaty. We were also pleasantly surprised by the top cinch strap and buckle. Frequently, this feature can feel restrictive on high-leg models, but we found it much more tolerable on the Muztag.
Even full-length gaiters can be fairly comfortable, provided they have adjustable and flexible fabric like the Rab Muztag which has elastic at the top opening.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Debris Protection
This piece of equipment aims to keep debris out of your shoes and boots, protect your feet, and protect your clothing from snags, tears, and abrasions. Most manufacturers have this concept pretty dialed, but there are some differences in fabrics and closure styles to look out for.
On alpine and expedition models, debris mostly means snow and ice. Having a snug fit and secure attachment on your boots and your legs ensures a dry interior. The Rab Muztag does this quite well, with a glove-like fit around single-layer winter boots. The upper closure is a cinch cord that is easy to tug closed, even with gloves, and it stays securely fastened. The two full-length Black Diamond models — the Apex GTX and GTX FrontPoint are similar, and both turned in a strong performance when it came to keeping out the gunk.
The Black Diamond Apex GTX can be worn with winter boots or hiking boots and will protect your legs from snow, water, and wind.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
On the light, ankle-height side of the spectrum, the Dirty Girl offers solid protection against sand, dirt, and dust on trail runs. The ankle opening starts relatively narrow and can stretch to accommodate larger legs. The Kahtoola INSTAgaiter Low also perform well here. When it comes to traditional hiking models, both the REI Backpacker Low and the Black Diamond Talus impressed us with their debris protection (though the Talus is a little beefier). The components these models share are a secure fit around the bottom of your footwear and a tight seal around the ankle.
The Backpacker Low sits flush against boots so even mud can't squish its way through.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Durability
Watching a new piece of gear fall to pieces like a poorly knit sweater is a real bummer. Durability refers to a model's ability to stand up to repeated use and abuse. The tradeoff for durability is typically weight, and in our pursuit of lighter gear that empowers us to move faster, we sacrifice a little durability. However, some models offer a balance between the two. When checking out any new pair that you plan to buy, the instep strap should be the main area that you look at to assess a model's durability. This is the part that will contact the ground with almost every footfall. The material of the main body is important as well. Smooth-faced fabric is less likely to snag on bushes or other vegetation than a heavier-duty model.
The Black Diamond Apex GTX has a massive swatch of fabric on the lower half that feels almost like Kevlar. It is thick, robust, and ready for rocks and microspikes. We were also impressed with the durability of the Outdoor Research Crocodile. This model held up during repeated testing and for years of experience after that. The lower foot panel is super thick and resists abrasion from rocks and ice. The Crocodile can withstand years of glacier travel and all the spiky tools that go along with it.
The instep straps of the Rab Muztag, REI Backpacker Low, and Black Diamond Apex GTX. They vary in thickness and materials but these full-length models all reliably have heartier straps than trail-runners.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
The REI Backpacker Low also has a hearty canvas feel on the lower portion, making it an excellent option for those who want a pair that stands up to the punishment of harsh terrain. Of course, thin nylon trail runners will not stand up to rocks and thorns nearly the same way as other models, but we found that the Dirty Girl was the heartiest of the lightweight models.
The Rab Muztag is a full-length gaiter with an extra thick lower that protects against ice, rocks, thorns, and crampons.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Ease of Attachment
Having a gaiter that goes on easily is a really nice complement to good comfort. For this metric, we considered how long and how much effort it took to put on each pair because there is some variation in how different models connect to footwear. Most go on after you lace up your footwear, but some are meant to go on before. We considered whether a pair was easy to put on with gloves, cold hands, or in the dark on an alpine start. The cut and geometry of the fabric also played into this metric. Many models take advantage of a lace hook and instep strap, but some also include a combination of velcro, snaps, and elastic cord, all of which contribute to how easy it is to get the things on in the first place.
The Black Diamond Talus is a top option for this metric. This classic mid-height gaiter has a straightforward design that makes it easy to attach; the large lace hook is foolproof, and the velcro and snaps are no-fuss. The Outdoor Research Crocodile is a high performer for a full-length model. Its velcro closures and top buckle don't require too much fine motor manipulation, making it possible to get on and off in colder weather. The overall high-scoring Rab Muztag features a velcro-secured instep strap instead of a buckle closure. The move to a velcro closure made us wonder why they aren't all like that, though it did score slightly lower because we found the top snap to be a little finicky and the front velcro could be challenging to line up smoothly.
We attached the velcro on the Dirty Girl to the velcro on the heel of our shoes.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
All of the low-ankle models we tested, including the Altra Trail, Dirty Girl, and Kahtoola INSTAgaiter Low, are all comparatively simple to attach, especially the first two, which do not have an instep strap to contend with and leverage a lace hook at the front and velcro at the heel. We also really appreciate the zipper on the Kahtoola INSTAgaiter Mid, which we found easier to use than the velcro typical of its higher counterparts.
The Outdoor Research Crocodile attaches easily for a full-length gaiter, mostly relying on a large strip of velcro at the front.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Water Resistance
Rain, melting snow, and river crossings can all wreak havoc on your feet. For backpackers, trail runners, and mountaineers, a fundamental practice that keeps people happy, healthy, and on the move is good foot care. However, with that in mind, it is important to remember that not all gaiters are designed to be waterproof or even water-resistant in the first place. Though it is crucial for mountaineering and expedition models, it is much less so for trail running pairs. Each product is ranked relative to other similar styles.
One model we tested stood out from the rest in terms of balancing water resistance and breathability. The waterproof fabric used in the Rab Muztag is meant for high performance. Like a mini hardshell jacket for your feet, this model sheds water like a champ yet somehow manages not to be stifling. The Outdoor Research Crocodile uses a three-layer Gore-Tex upper and a super thick foot panel — it's even more water-resistant (but also can get a little sweaty on the inside).
Water resistance is more important for high gaiters than trail runners, but it is still nice when we come across a low cut pair that does it well like the Kahtoola INSTAgaiter.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
When it comes to lighter hiking models, they just aren't meant for wet weather. However, models like the Dirty Girl can keep your socks dry during a wet bushwhack and dry quickly too — a splendid combination. The Kahtoola INSTAgaiter Low is another standout for its water-shedding prowess. Other small scree-blocking models were not very notable in terms of water resistance.
High gaiters like the Crocodile are well-suited for staying dry while moving through water.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Weight
As with any other piece of gear, weight counts (though admittedly, not as much here as with other equipment). Lighter-weight materials typically suggest a tradeoff with durability, but experience also tells us that there is a middle ground.
For full-length models, the Outdoor Research Helium lives up to its name. The waterproof nylon shell is super lightweight, making it great for shoulder seasons where the ground is sloppy from snowmelt or rain but the air temperatures might be warmer, meaning you need less insulation. The Rab Muztag also offers excellent coverage for the weight — a pair of these settles in at less than eight ounces.
The full-length Helium is supremely lightweight for the coverage they provide.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
We tested some sub-one-ounce products as well: the Dirty Girl performs really well, with the Altra Trail weighing even less at a scant one-half ounce per foot — an addition that is barely noticeable whether you are wearing them or carrying them in a pocket or backpack.
Even in drier conditions, the extra coverage on your legs can be nice, particularly if you're a fan of shorts and not averse to a unique tan line.
Credit: Thomas Greene
Conclusion
Regardless of what you use them for, a good pair of gaiters will keep your feet comfortable and keep things out of your footwear, allowing you to stay on course, no matter the terrain. There are various options out there, from mountaineering highs to trail running lows and a lot in between. We hope our tests and ratings help you choose the best pair for your next adventure.
