REI Co-op Sahara Gaiters
Trail-tested and proven, these mid-height, waterproof/breathable REI Co-op Sahara gaiters offer burly protection against rain, snow, dirt and debris.
- 3-layer stretch fabric offers waterproof/breathable protection from the elements
- Nonfluorinated durable water repellent (DWR) helps moisture bead up on the surface
- Extra-rugged fabric at the ankles protects against sticks, rocks, crampons and ski edges
- Full-length, hook-and-loop opening on front of gaiter for easy on/off
- Lace hook helps keep gaiter in place
- Adjustable internal drawcords with cordlocks secure the gaiters around your calves
- Rugged, TPU-coated, nylon-webbing straps wrap underneath your shoes and adjust easily to a variety of footwear types
- Contains materials that meet the bluesign® criteria
- REI Co-op brand is certified to The Climate Label; we actively fund efforts to reduce carbon emissions across our business and support climate projects around the world
Imported.
View the REI Co-op Sahara Product LineView all REI Co-op Leg Gaiters| Best Use | Hiking |
|---|---|
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Type of Waterproofing | 3-layer waterproof/breathable laminate |
| Gaiter Height | Mid-calf |
| Gaiter Height (in.) | S: 9.5 inches M: 9.75 inches L: 10.75 inches XL: 10.75 inches |
| Max. Top Circumference (in.) | S: 14 inches M: 14.75 inches L: 15.25 inches XL: 15.75 inches |
| Lower Material | 1,000-denier nylon (bluesign approved); lining: 420-denier nylon (bluesign approved) |
| Upper Material | 93% ripstop nylon/7% spandex (bluesign approved); backer: 100% polyester |
| Lace Hooks | Yes |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Sustainability | Contains materials that meet the bluesign® criteria From a Climate Label Certified brand |
| S | M | L | XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Men's | 5-7 | 6-9 | 8-11 | 10-13 |
| U.S. Women's | 6.5-8.5 | 7.5-10.5 | 9.5-10.5+ |
Sizing Notes
Sizing represents US shoe size
Better gear is built together
From feedback to field testing, all of our gear is dialed-in by REI Co-op members. Their adventures informed every stitch and detail—making for better, longer-lasting gear.
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Works well but slightly uncomfortable
Used these during the springtime where it's a mixed condition of dirt, mud, and a lot of postholing in soft snow. These held up well during my 3-mile trek in these mixed conditions as well as using snowshoes. They stayed put, didn't fall down but at the cost of the elastic being slightly uncomfortable after a few hours - the top elastic was tight against my skin with leggings on and left some marks. This could probably feel a bit better with a wider bungee string.
Lightweight, sturdy
Used on the trail local to my home, unfortunately they shipped to late to use in the winter snow. Fit great over my Keen hiking boots, elastic cinch strap secures them to your lower calf with ease. Do a solid job of keeping the debris out, seem that they will also perform very well in the snow/slush from the east coast. takes a minute to put them on, so don't be in a rush, feel a bit cumbersome to start and then they ease up and you barely know that they are there providing protection. Order size appropriate for your shoe size. Overall a good price for a quality product, defintely should wear with pants, but can be used with all ankle heights of boots, they will not work well for trail running as they are built with heavy duty material. These would also work well in the desert to keep dust and sand out of your shoes on hikes.
A nice update to a usually boring piece of gear
Most of my experience with gaiters was a long time ago, so my expectations for innovation with these new ones was pretty low. Gaiters are such a simple piece of gear that might seem a little “extra” to add to your kit, however they can end up saving a lot of time and discomfort if you use them correctly. These new REI Co-Op Sahara Gaiters are a really nice update to a usually boring and traditional design. They retain the classic strap and buckle to secure the thick and durable nylon lower half of the gaiter to your boot. But the lightweight and ultra flexible material used in the upper half is where the real difference is made. The spandex impregnated nylon made these move easily with each step, and the drawcord made it possible to hike them up on my calf for more protection, or keep it lower when I wanted a lower profile setup to let my legs breathe a little more. My previous gaiters used the rigid nylon all the way up, which was nice for some applications, but made them kinda stuffy and I left them home more often because they felt like overkill. These new Sahara Gaiters achieve the balance of being lightweight with durability where it counts, so I was more likely to throw them on. Think of gaiters to keep rocks and sand out of your boots, thorns from reaching your ankles, or ticks and insects from sneaking up your pant legs. The Sahara Gaiters did all of this in a design that was easy to get on and off, with materials that I expect will absorb abuse for years to come.
Perfect spring gaiter
I am a big gaiter girlie! Don't get me wrong, I definitely don't mind being a bit wet and dirty, but any chance I can save my ankles and socks from a little mess, I am strapping on my gaiters. And this pair is heavy duty and I LOVE them! The velcro is super intense and is not going to come apart unless you intentionally take it off. There's an additional spot of velcro that folds back the opposite way, to keep everything in place, and that is a game changer. The elastic drawstring at the top of the gaiter is also phenomenal! You can cinch that thing to any circumference, and it isn't going anywhere. I will say that the buckle is a little bit cumbersome, but it is also very heavy duty! I definitely don't foresee the strap and buckle coming apart, no matter what terrain I take these out on. I took these gaiters out in both snow and rain, and always came back with dry ankles and socks.
Versatile, breathable and durable
These gaiters perform excellently for hiking around the sandy Oregon Badlands Wilderness and Oregon Outback. I especially liked how well they keep sand and shrub debris out of my shoes. And they adjust and adapt well to different hiking boot/shoe types. The stirrup straps on the Sahara Gaiters are hardier than my past experience with other REI brand gaiters – they hold up well under the boot in rough terrain over time. Two heights of bands hold any excess upper stirrup strapping out of the way of your walking stride no matter how you may have them adjusted over various boot types. The lower portion of the gaiter is made of tougher material, which helps it withstand brush and rocks while the upper half is a lighter, more breathable material. This design was nice for hiking in the high desert, but they did still trap more heat around my feet and ankles. For me, the bit of extra warmth was worth it to keep desert debris out of my boots.
Durable and well made
Overall, these gaiters are durable and will last a long time; the material is tough and the gaiters well made. The adjustable drawstring at the top helps provide a comfortable and secure fit over a variety of different types of pants and shoes, and the buckle keeps everything in place. The gaiters have great waterproofing and will keep everything dry. I'm giving these three stars not because of the construction, but because they will likely be of limited utility for my own personal use. They are too bulky for backpacking and also too cumbersome for daily activities like running, as they take a bit of time to get on and off. For wet, muddy, or snowy hikes or bike rides, I would generally wear a durable, waterproof layer anyway, so I wouldn't necessary bother with gaiters unless the hike were particularly treacherous or long. So overall, although they are great to use, they seem like a nice-to-have, but not essential item.
Trail-Tested and Reliable for SoCal Hikes
As someone who hikes everything from the rocky peaks of the Southern Sierra to the dusty trails of Angeles National Forest, these REI Co-op Sahara Gaiters (Black, XL) have become a staple in my gear. Here’s what stands out: Keeps debris out: They do an awesome job blocking out scree, foxtails, dirt, and small rocks, my shoes stay clean, and I don’t have to stop to shake them out every few miles. Adjustable and versatile: I’ve used them with trail runners and winter hiking boots, and they’ve adjusted easily to both. The fit is snug but not restrictive. Good hold overall: On tougher, more rugged hikes, they slipped a little, but the top cinch kept them secure most of the time. A quick re-tighten and I was good to go. Whether you're doing long Sierra days or quick local climbs, these gaiters hold their own. I’ll definitely keep them in my pack for dirty, rocky, or brushy trails.
Great backpacking gaiters
I couldn't find a pair of low gaiters I'd planned on taking on a backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon should the weather dictate their need, so when the forecast was calling for rain and snow I made a quick trip to REI and purchased the L REI Co-op Sahara Gaiters. I went with the L to ensure they fit my 9.5 Lowa Camino boots. The medium might have fit, but would have been a tighter fit. These gaiters worked great! Lighter than a pair of tall gaiters (at 6.4 oz for the large size), but a perfect height for keeping mud and debris off my pants and upper boots. I ended up wearing them more than I'd planned due to mud on the trail. Overall very glad I had them for the trip.
Easy and practical
Simple adjustments for initial fit. Then, very easy to put on, and they stay snug and in place all day. Used twice in the first week. I don't expect to ever need to replace.
I like them
They are a great gaiter , they are flexible nylon on top and tough cordoura on bottom. They are great for hikes and I wear them for ankle jean stuffers for my e bike.