REI Co-op  Lightweight Hiker Gaiters

The REI Co-op Lightweight Gaiters are exactly as described - lightweight. Their stretchy construction features a single piece of fabric per gaiter, requiring the wearer to pull it over the calves before donning shoes. I found these gaiters perfect for trail running but too small to pull over lightweight hiking boots. Pros: - Super light weight - Great for keeping out dust / small rocks from running shoes - Simple construction holds up through adventures Cons: - Simple construction limits ability to accommodate different types of footwear

Light weight, breathable, easy to put on and take off, quick dry, slightly water resistant, handy item that seems excessive but could easily be your best trail sidekick. Took these in hikes on Ice Age Trail and through sandy pine/oak barrens. I think an avid trail runner would find these indispensable. In summer I recently switched to trail running shoes over big hiking boots - lighter, more comfy, cooler, etc. these gaiters are a great addition to low hikers/trail running shoes for summer trail adventures. Gaiters keep sand/debris/mosquitoes/flies/ticks away from ankles and getting into shoes. They were also handy for poison ivy protection. Gaiters are light weight, quick drying, and take up very little space - so can easily stash in day pack for use whenever. Will use for all summer hikes from now on to prevent debris from getting in shoes and as poison ivy protection. Material is very stretchy and breathable, one size fits all. Material would probably rip in super thorny terrain. Also, not water proof. Water beads off them but did not keep water out when submerged. Would love for them to come in fun colors or prints! These seem to fill a niche that I didn’t know needed filling.

Size M is too small for me/to cover my hiking boots (Oboz women size 8) so I returned M and got L. Size L fit just about right. It was easy to wear it if I wear the gaiter first (roll up around my ankle with elastic cord positioned back), then put hiking shoes, and roll down the gaiter, place the elastic cord and the hocks. The material is not so stretchy (I expected a bit more stretchy material). Once it is on properly, it works great as expected. I think size M is probably OK if not for hiking boots. Hiking boots are usually bulky, and gaiters are supposed to use with hiking boots... So I think size-up is almost unavoidable.

I just used these yesterday to summit the South Sister in Oregon. They were comfortable, flexible, and I didn’t have to adjust them at all the entire day. This hike had SO much loose about 3/4 of the way, and a mile from the summit, and I didn’t get a single rock in my boots. Be sure to put them on before your boots/shoes. I highly recommend purchasing these for your outdoor adventures.

I purchased these to keep trail debris, mud, and water out of my trail runners. I have put about 75 miles on them on the rocky and rooty AT and Long Trail in MA and VT. As others have mentioned, initially I had issues with the back of the gaiter popping off the heal of my boot. However, over a few days they appear to have streached out a bit and this no longer happens. I purchased the mens large and wear a size 11.5 US (Salomon). I wouldn't want them any more snug when pulling them on past my heal (you do this over your sock before putting on your boot). So, someone with a larger foot will probably want to go up a size. My biggest beef is with the shock cord that goes under the sole of the boot. This broke multiple times over the 75 miles. I tried knotting them when they broke and shifting them to try to create new wear points with limited success. It seems this aspect needs a redesign. I'm going to try using a sturdier cord under the boot with the shock cord only on the sides (you need the give of the shock cords when putting them on). That said, they are light and did keep stuff out of my boots. They just required a lot of attention to do so.

I wore these gators for the wet or muddy days on a 71 mile, 4 day backpacking trip. While my partner (with no gators) kept getting debris in his shoes, I was happy and debris-less with these gators on my feet. After 2 machine washes in a delicates bag and air drying them, they seem to be holding up well. I just had to rewire my brain to remember to put them on after my socks, and before I put my boots on. I also wore these on a day hike with trail running shoes instead of boots and they worked just as well. And a friend who hiked the AT with these gators swears by them, too.

I got these because we rarely are hiking on a trail, so I kept getting grass and stickers in my socks and down in my boots. They are easy to put on (do so before adding the boots!) and pull down over the boot tops. The lace hook and the arch bungee keep them in place. After several walking miles the bungee still doesn't show any wear (I was worried about that since it goes across the sole of the boot). To date I have not gotten a single grass blade or sticker in my socks or inside my boots! What a relief!!

I really thought I'd like these. The manufacturing quality was OK I think. I get bit up by bugs a lot so I wanted to tuck my pants into my socks for backpacking (which works!). Then I wore these gaiters over top. I found the the l/xl too small, I made them work but it was awkward. They are not waterproof, they were soaked after walking through a dewy grass field on the A.T. I think my winter gaiters are made out of a more appropriate material than these are.

I've never used gaiters before because I never saw the need for them (aside from snow, but these are definitely not meant for that). But these were quick and easy to put on and gave me a piece of mind I didn't realize I had been missing. Random itches on my ankles I thought were bugs? Gone. Tiny wood chips and pebbles getting into my shoes? Nope. Getting snags and burrs on my socks? No way. While I probably won't wear these for every hike, I will absolutely wear them again when making my way through tall grass, wood chips, or even sandy areas. Of note: I found them a bit tricky to get on. It was easiest for me to put them on like legwarmers, then my shoes, then pull the strap down under the heel of the shoe. The cincher at the top stayed up better when the gaiter came in contact with my socks. When I wore shorter socks and the gaiters touched my leggings, they often slouched down too much.

I originally bought these for geocaching to keep rocks/dirt/weeds/briars etc out of my shoes and boots when I wander through the woods and mountains while geocaching. They did a great job of that, being tight enough not to let even dust in but lightweight enough to be okay for summer use. Then I took them for a week up and down Kilimanjaro and they did great there too. Coming down from the peak of Kili you are, at times, basically sliding down in scree and dirt. They did a great job there too, nothing ever made it into my hiking boots. I see others have complained about the size of these. The L/XL are perfectly sized for me (size 10 mens), tight enough to keep everything out.