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What are the best gaiters for hiking in winter?
No need to cancel your hiking plans just because of bad weather or trail conditions. Waterproof gaiters that cover your hiking boots are designed just for that purpose. To protect you against rain, snow, mud and debris. Here in this guide we have selected hiking gaiters that are both waterproof and durable. All of them are also adjustable. Now it’s up to you to choose a pair that suits your style and budget.
So, gear up your winter boots, and see you on the trail!
Table of Contents
Best Gaiters for Hiking in Winter
Isn’t it enough to have good hiking boots to keep your feet warm?
Yes and no. A pair of good quality hiking boots will work well in dry conditions. But if it’s raining or snowing, you will be glad to have waterproof gaiters as well. The snow won’t be able to sneak in through the top opening of the boot. And a gaiter also provides an extra protection against the elements.
1. Pike Trail Waterproof and Adjustable Leg Gaiters (click for more details)
Waterproof gaiters for hiking with metal buckles and studs.
Overall, the best gaiters for hiking, our favorite.
Instead of plastic, these gaiters have durable stainless steel buckles and press studs. They have a velcro tape closure. And there is an adjustable drawstring around the calf and adjustable strap at the bottom to fit your legs perfectly. The material is light and soft and resists water, snow, dirt and debris. The length is 15″.
The gaiters can be machine washed (cold, delicate), but have to be line dried.
MATERIAL: Polyester
COLORS: Several colors (solid and print design)
2. Azarxis Gaiters for Hiking, Camping and Walking (click for more details)
Lightweight, packable gaiters for hiking boots.
These gaiters are made out of 600D water resistant material and they are windproof and breathable too. They have a velcro closure, adjustable drawstring at the top and shoe hook strap with a metal buckle at the bottom. The material is light and soft. They will protect you against cactus needles, briars, thorns and, of course, water and snow.
Various sizes from S to XL are available.
MATERIAL: 600D Oxford Cloth
COLORS: Black and dark grey
3. IDAND Waterproof Leg Gaiters (click for more details)
Backpacking gaiters with zipper and velcro closure for low temperatures.
These gaiters are made for temperatures as low as -60F. They are made out of two layer material that makes them waterproof, especially at the lower half (1000D). They are adjustable with a drawcord and a strong plastic buckle at the top, and 30cm TPU strap and thickened clip at the bottom.
The gaiters feature lace-hooks that allow them to be attached to shoe laces which keeps them in place. It works really well with most boots.
MATERIAL: 1000D Nylon at the bottom half, 600D Oxford and 300D Polyester
COLORS: Black, blue, orange
4. QTECLOR Waterproof Leg Gaiters (click for more details)
Three layer, waterproof gaiters for snowshoeing.
The three layers make them waterproof (500D), durable, tearproof, warm and one of the best gaiters for backpacking in winter. The gaiters feature velcro closure, top strap and instep strap with buckles, and a metal hook for attaching to shoelaces. They are available in M, L and XL size. The gaiters are made to protect you against t snow, water, ice, rock and bushes.
These boot gaiters not only will protect you against harsh weather and keep you warm (up to -31F), but also save from snake and bug bites.
MATERIAL: 500D Nylon
COLORS: 3 colors
5. Unigear Waterproof Leg Gaiters (click for more details)
Cheap snow gaiters for boots with a wide tape closure.
The width of the hook and loop tape is 2″. One of the main reasons why these gaiters are cheaper than most is their design. They have both cheap (and less durable) and also higher quality parts. And the higher quality materials are used for the most important parts only. There is a 600D polyester and highly durable lace hook at the bottom part of the gaiter, but the top buckle is plastic.
Additionally, these gaiters have stainless steel clips for the front closure.
The gaiters are waterproof and breathable and will protect you against cold, snow, mud, dust and bugs. Designed to be used in temperatures up to up to -31F.
MATERIAL: Polyester
COLORS: Black, grey
6. TRIXES Waterproof Hiking and Climbing Gaiters (click for more details)
Cheap hiking gaiters for winter adventures.
At the moment of writing, these are the cheapest boot gaiters in the list.
But they still provide all the essentials that a good pair of hiking gaiters should have. They have a zipper and hook and loop tape closure. They are windproof, waterproof and breathable. And their elastic band fastenings can be adjusted to all kinds of boots. They also have buckles at the top and bottom for better fit. And the rust proof shoelace hookers make sure that they won’t move around your ankle.
These gaiters are one size fits all and they are 15.7″ long.
MATERIAL: Polyester
COLORS: Black
How to Find the Best Gaiters for Hiking For Yourself?
How to find the best gaiters for snow hiking that suits your needs?
Let’s make this super simple.
Generally speaking it’s mostly about these 4 simple things.
1. Protection Shield
What else besides keeping your legs dry, gaiters for shoes are used for?
First of all, if you are looking for gaiters for walking in snow or rain, water protection abilities are very important. Materials with higher denier score like 1000D are thicker and therefore resist water better. Waterproof gaiters are also great for muddy trails. But some of the gaiters are also abrasion resistant and snake and bug bite proof. Most of the gaiters are made for all seasons, so you need just one pair.
Just pay attention to the variety of the protection they provide.
2. Fit
Some gaiters are one size fits all, but others have different size options.
It’s very important to check the size before buying. First of all, make sure that the gaiters are taller than your boots and will be able to cover them properly. Secondly, pay attention to what size they are. If there are different size options it may be that they are cut to fit you better. At the same time with gaiters that fit all boots there is a smaller possibility to make measuring mistakes.
The quality of the top and bottom fasteners matter. A drawstring at the top and adjustable strap under the boot will make sure that the gaiters stay in place. Another small, but important feature is a shoelace hook. It allows you to attach the gaiters to your boot laces.
3. Durability
High quality materials make gaiters last longer.
Pay attention to the quality of straps and buckles. Since when walking more pressure is put at the bottom of a gaiter, you will want your gaiters to have heavy duty straps and buckles. If any metal fasteners are used, make sure that they are made out of stainless steel because they will be heavily exposed to moisture. Last but not least, pay attention to tear and abrasion resistance. Your hiking gaiters will last more than just one hike through bushes if the fabric is tear and abrasion resistant.
4. Closure
Zipper or hook and loop closure, which is better?
It’s not that easy to say. You may think that to have them both is the best way to go. The zipper keeps it well together and hook and loop tape adds another layer to keep the rain and snow away because obviously not all zippers are waterproof. But it’s also true that not all zippers perform well in wet circumstances. If you choose to have gaiters with zippers make sure that they are of a good quality.
Another solution to strengthen a hook and loop closure is press studs. They secure the tape and don’t let it come apart.
What is your experience with hiking accessories? Are you using gaiters when hiking in the woods? What’s the best gaiters for hiking you have tried so far?
Featured photo by Karolina from Pexels
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