20 Best Trail Running Gaiters (2022 Updated)

I purchased these gaiters about two weeks ago directly from Solomon. I have been a trail runner and ultramarathoner for about 20 years and have worn gaiters from time to time. I have worn Solomon shoes (starting with the Raid Race) and used other Solomon products consistently over my running career and have always been happy with their performance.

This product was very disappointing right out of the gate. The sizing is incorrect and the Velcro closure was too large and overlapped too far to get a snug fit, During my first trail run, which included mud, rocks, and roots, the bottom strap slipped off my heel three times and twice the Velcro closure came apart.

I was wearing an XA Pro 3D size 11 and the gaiter size was large. I can’t recommend these gaiters.

I bought these for a stage race, and first off had trouble wearing them as the band underfoot kept slipping back, the velcro was not tight enough. They then gave me horrendous burn marks around my ankles, avoid unless you are wearing long socks and can figure out they are going to stay put.

Most of my salomon gear I’ve been extremely happy with, but these did not live up to my expectations. The bottom strap on the gaiter constantly gets pushed back behind the heel of my shoe, and thus doesn’t keep things out of my shoes like gaiters are supposed to.

This has happened to me on every run and hike I’ve taken them on. I was really hoping I’d love these, but they are by far the worst gaiter I’ve owned.

Fits my footwear, even the winter boots. I just purchased the Muztangs, so my review cannot comment on longevity. These have a really nice cinch system for the top and some of that grippy rubber stuff around the top of the inside.

I really like the upturned lace hook for the bottom toe end of the gaiters. It’s not going to fit in most built in toe loops, but it works great on your laces. Concerns are: they only have Velcro to keep them together at the bottom.

I would prefer a snap at top and bottom or a zipper. The foot strap also uses Velcro for its length adjustment instead of buckles. There isn’t any of that plastic material protecting the insteps. There are plastic grommets built in each side of the gaiter for the strap to pass through.

They’re kind of bulky and seem like they could be a fail point. All and all I’m really happy with the versatility, and the product appears well made. Most of my concerns are issues with possible longevity of the product due to the heavy reliance on Velcro.

When it gets muddy, it loses its sticky properties. To be fair those problems don’t exist yet. Even with all my concerns, I opted for these because of the top cinch system, upward facing lace hook, and over the calf length.

If I had thought about the grommets or the Velcro system used for the straps, I may not have purchased them. I gave them 5 stars because Rab delivered the product they advertised.

As far as I know, there is not a single good knee-high gaiter on the market right now. Rab takes several steps forward, then several steps back. Step forward: The strap which wraps under your boot is made of a much more durable material than most gaiters! I actually trust that this strap could handle thousands of steps and not tear.

Step back: the strap is attached via weak Velcro on the inside of the gaiter?!? Velcro?! How is that going to stay put – it could easily just fall off! To make matters worse, one of my Velcro pieces didn’t adhere at all – it was like vinegar on oil, the boot strap could easily slip out at will.

Also because the strap adheres front he inside, there’s no way to tighten the strap. Silly. Step forward: Add a snap fastener over the front adhering Velcro – brilliant! Snap fasteners are the best, I prefer a snap fastener to Outdoor research’s extra Velcro tab for sure.

Step backward: No snap fastener on the bottom gaiter, and only on the TOP?!? The bottom of the gaiter is the part that desperately needs that extra hold! Scraping against rocks, logs, etc. a faster at the TOP is far less important.

I like the elastic synch at the top of the gaiter, but why isn’t there anywhere to tuck the extra elastic? It’s just 3 inches of dangling, flapping nylon. Also there should be more product photos on your website – would have spotted the Velcro boot strap issue and steered clear.

Plz improve, you’re ALMOST the best on the market – everything else about this gaiter is great.

After quite a bit of research online I purchased a pair of these gaiters at a local shop to bring on winter hikes. I own a RAB micro puff jacket and hoped the brand would stand up to winter. The tightening system at the top works well and the Gore-Tex construction made them worth the money – at least I thought.

I have barely used them a few times and the loop that goes under your boot came off. They attach to either side via a velcro patch and the seam was less than a mm from the edge and you can see maybe only one line of stiches.

I really thought RAB would be higher quality than this and for the price. I also find they fit a little too big on the sides for a woman. Even with thicker winter pants on the dome closure at the top doesn’t align with the velcro closure that runs down the front of the leg.

Really disappointing purchase. I would not recommend these given the quality and the price.

Just hunted caribou in the white mountains in central AK and tromped through knee deep snow at times. Boots and feet came out dry and gators held up punching through heavy, crusty snow. Bought the camo pattern and some snow stuck to the tricot fabric but you can shake it off easily enough once you get back to the truck.

And everything stayed dry underneath so not an issue. Haven’t tested in rain/water yet but wouldn’t have had warm dry feet in the snow without them. Tricot fabric might not be as durable but I appreciate the quiet factor enough to go through them faster if that’s the case.

Only small complaint is the top buckle doesn’t stay snapped closed as well as other brands.

Buy the size down from what is suggested, or they will not fit properly. This is due to a change in the design of the boot lace attachment hook location. They have tons of these already built so they will not fix the problem, rather they will just continue to sell their stock despite that the design change makes them not fit correctly.

Extremely disappointed in Kenetrek for changing the design and making what was an excellent product, a defective product with an obvious major flaw.

Had to size up for insulated boots and pants. The XL fit around my insulated boots and pants is just right. My boot is size 10 so the hook will hook. I don’t think the hook would work on a smaller size.

Excellent quality for high desert and mountain terrain. Keeps the brush and dirt out, Pants are dry from snow, they do cut the wind and they stay put with the cam lock. For the price IMO you can’t go wrong here.

HAPPY TRAILS N/E CA.

They do the job. Easy on and easy off. Lightweight. Durable. Fit isn’t perfect and the velcro tabs could have been a little bigger, but they stay on, they do their job well, and they don’t bother me while I hike.

They stay on better when your shoes have a heel.

These are outstanding gaiters and well worth the price. The materials and construction are high quality and I’m looking forward to years of use. The reverse orientation of the boot lace hook takes some getting used to, but it seems as if it will stay hooked even in extreme conditions.

I am 5’10 and the large size fits just barely below my knee, so unless you have unusually long lower legs, keep that in mind.

I already have a hat I love, but wanted something to cover my face similar to a balaclava. Pros: I like the soft fleece outside, and the drawcord gives a good custom fit. Cons: the interior Omni-Heat lining.

It seemed like it was breathable, but at the same time I could feel the condensation from my breath on the lining which gave it a cold and slimy sensation. By the time I had my driveway shoveled, the entire front of it was wet.

When I came back inside my cheeks and neck were very cold. I think this may be better for “warmer cold” temps, not “cold cold” temps, if that makes sense. I will continue to use it but at this point, I’m not a big fan.

I just bought this and tested it out for an hour while at my local dog park. I live in Wisconsin, and while it has not been crazy cold here this year, it has been colder than most places. My local dog park is also a great place to test this as the park is situated right along the Mississippi River (literally no wind blocks for 3/4 of a mile).

This is very lightweight and blocks the wind. I wear a 7-1/4 size baseball hat, and this fits over my head fairly easily. I love the drawstring at the top so that I can tighten the top of the gaiter to help trap heat inside.

The build quality seems first rate.

It’s thin. Beyond that, this Columbia product falls short. I am a fan of most columbia winter gear. I have boots, hats, mitts, coats, and enjoy them all. except for this gaiter. Their children’s gaiters are made of stretchy fleece and stay up better and go on easier.

I find that this gaiter gets wet inside after wear for a short time. It does. Ot stay in place very well, even with the pull string. I would not buy again or recommend to anyone else.

I’m typically a big fan of Sitka products. The Stormfront Gaiters have been on my bucket list for a while and I finally made the purchase. Unfortunately, after arriving I found the gaiters did not meet my expectations for a couple of reasons and they will be returned.

My biggest concern is the noise. these things are noisy. real NOISY; Walking around in these things sounded like I had plastic garbage bags over my boots. As an archery hunter, I would never get close to game wearing these things.

They may work fine for modern weapon or still hunters where you have a lot more distance between yourself and the game. I was also disappointed with the way the gaiters cinched down around the calf muscles.

The gaiters lack a quick release mechanism, so you have to completely disconnect and reconnect the straps each time. Not a big deal, but I’ve never owned a pair of gaiters that did not come with a quick disconnect around the calf.

Beyond that, the quality and craftsmanship was good and what you would expect from Sitka products.

I wont speak a lot to the waterproofing aspect because this is one of the highest end options on the market. I promise it will keep you dry and debris free regardless the terrain. They all work. But these work the best.

This review is going to address the buyer that is on the fence about spending the money on these gaiters versus a competitors cheaper alternative. I was that guy. This is my second gaiter purchase in a year.

I run my gear pretty hard and put it through the wringer. The last pair I purchased were Kuiu Yukon gaiters which were fine but held the same design flaws as almost all the other high end options. These stormfront gaiters fixed almost all of those issues and that to me is why it is worth the extra investment, because sooner or later those lower end components will fail, and you will be faced with the same dilemma you are in now.

The button snap closure was the first to fail on both of the yukon gaiters, followed by the metal buckle adjustment from being smashed against rocks and rendered unusable. Finally the sil-nylon straps delaminated and lost most of their integrity.

They looked a mess after just one year of use. The Sitka gaiters use a streamlined buckle-less strap system which eliminates that issue altogether. The ladder lock design is incredibly efficient and rigid.

The snap closure buttons are also much better integrated into the meat of the gaiter ensuring a much more secure hold and the potential of failure is far less. I believe they use the same foot strap material so that quality is to be determined.

These gaiters are also reinforced in the high-wear areas but somehow maintain an even lighter weight than other gaiters while still being one of the most rigid and durable feeling options. Even the velcro closure is a much higher quality.

You are paying for higher end build components and that will be worth every penny to you once in the field. Do yourself a favor and buy once, cry once. These are the most badass gaiters on the market.

Gaiters were awesome for a couple seasons, they’re remarkably waterproof and fit great. Never had a problem with them being noisy or overheating in them. My gripe with these gaiters and what I think holds them back from being a top competitor is that the material of the band under the boot and the durability of the material on the outside.

I noticed after a few uses the band under the boot started to cut very easily and I need to cover it with some tape, and for the material outside of the gaiter, it also cut when going through brush with it.

Eventually they became worn and I had to get different gaiters. Other than that, they’re great gaiters, recommend them for someone that lives in an area that isn’t too rocky or full of sharp brush.

I really like the design and features of these gaiters, but you need to buy these gaiters based on calf circumference, and not shoe size. For example: The medium gaiters have the correct fit for my shoe size, but the large gaiters have the correct fit for my calf circumference.

I bought the large and so there is a bit of trade-off; you calf comfort while the fit around the shoe is a bit loose. I think the Hillsound needs address the shoe/calf fit issue; I suspect the fit issues are turning away potential buyers.

Maybe they could have a new sizing system such as: Medium Medium, Medium Large, Medium Extra Large. etc. That said, the things I like about the Super Armadillo Nano Gaiters: 1. Zip down waterproof zipper.

[my old gaiters have Velcro closures, which tend to pop open] 2. Waterproof and breathable. [after hiking around for 3 or 4 hours in warm 20c/68f weather, my legs were not sweaty] 3. Cam buckle top closure.

[my old gaiters have a stretchy draw string with cord-locks that constantly need re-tightening] 4. Stretchy upper section. [which helps with the calf fit issue as noted above] 5. The secure hook that faces upwards.

[this makes it almost impossible to unhook from your boot laces].

I had high hopes for these gaiters. They look well built and sturdy. I also ordered a pair from another brand; in comparing the two, my worries were: 1. the zipper – eventhough it looks very well made, the thought of it somehow freezing made me unease, as it is exposed, contrary to having an additional velcro cover to protect it.

2. the buckle strap at the top – contrary to the other model I got, which had an elastic rope, I also feared I could have a malfunction with the buckle. Again, because of this, I decided these gaiters were not for me based on the type of deep snow activities planned.

That said, other than those 2 points, the gaiters do look to be well made and with high quality materials. Also to note, these gaiters are a bit heavier than other models.

My previous gaiters would continually slide down my calf, but these are a more rigid material and stay in place. I used the size guide on their website and was on edge of being a small and a medium; I purchased the small but really should have sized up to a medium.

These are tight, but not uncomfortably so. Wearing extra base layers or thick pants makes it difficult to do up the zipper. So if you’re on the cusp of a size, definitely get the next size up as there’s adjustable straps.

Outside of the sizing though, these have been bombproof with the west coast rain and mud. Two thumbs up.

I dig the material and size of these gaiters, but the straps are positioned in an odd location. When fitted over hiking boots the straps seem to be far back enough that they do not properly fit into the section of the outsole between the heel and forefoot.

Bought for bear hunt in N. Carolina. Terrible weather but these gaiters performed flawlessly. Recommend without reservation.

These fit exceptionally well considering the price point

My husband was hoping to wear them with his size 13 Oboz 8 Bridger insulated boots. Hopeless. The largest size made in the gaiters is large. It is a struggle to zip up over the boot, and the little red adjustable plastic strap is too short to accomodate the boot size.

Kahtoola does not make larger straps. He was hoping to wear them with the Kahtoola microgrips, but with the combination of his boots and the red underfoot strap of the Leva gaiters, he was worried that the cleat chains would have eaten away at the red strap.

Finally, any false movement putting the cleats against those gaiters would have damaged the latter. The fabric is thin. It may be water-resistant, but it is not friction resistant, in my opinion. Also, as a last comment, those gaiters, provided you have smaller boots, are the one we have found that fit best men with skinny calves.

That said, the top of the gaiters is cinched with a thin elastic, so I do not know how they would sustain pressure from deep snow, or survive being under strain for a long time.

The Leva Gaiters from Kahtoola are both comfortable and somewhat effective but have a few design flaws that hopefully will be addressed. Although the gaiter has ample shoe coverage the issues list in the following order.

The adjustable under foot strap is positioned too far back and in my case with a size 10 shoe has the strap unable to grab in front of the heel thus prematurely wearing as I walk on it. The zipper on the outside of the shoe is needlessly awkward to zip up although of high quality and functional – in my opinion it might be better positioned either straight up the front or slightly to the inside.

The tightening elastic around the calf is of inferior size and quality. It continually comes loose and will soon need to be replaced.

I haven’t tried these out in the snow yet, but based on how they’ve performed so far i have no doubt they’ll continue to work great in a variety of conditions! i tried them with three different pairs of shoes/boots and only had minor difficulties zipping them up on my Altra Olympus 2.

5 running shoes, which have a nearly 2-inch sole. Maybe i’m a moron, but i also wouldn’t have minded some instructions. It took me a little while to figure out which was the left and which was the right (identified on the label inside the gaiter) and then i wasn’t sure how to properly adjust the under-foot strap – the instructions were very clear on how to lengthen or shorten the strap, i just wasn’t sure what the optimal placement should be.

On my low profile hikers, the fit was perfect. On my Altra hiking boots, the thick rubber strap sat further back under my foot, closer to my heal than my mid-foot. It was still easy to zip up, but the farther back placement left some minor gaps at the bottom of the gaiter – i’d be interested to see how they’d hold up in the snow under those conditions.

The way they’re stitched makes them nice and snug though – not too tight, but definitely not loose. I was sure that they would start to slide down, but they never did – even while jogging! I never had issues with dust or dirt entering on a dryer run/hike i did, and i never had any issues with mud or water on a wetter, muddy run/hike i did.

The grippers on the gaiters didn’t slide down over running tights, hiking pants, or bare skin. And the only time i noticed slight condensation on the inside was on bare skin on a humid east coast run.

But even then, only slight condensation which was hardly noticeable. They also pack up very small into a tiny little bag that is included – i was skeptical they would fit, but they fit just fine! Overall, really liked these and would be interested in checking out their lower-profile gaiters which are probably better suited to running and dryer conditions.

I think these were designed to work with big hiking boots, rather than trail running shoes or trainers. I have a size 13 foot, and bought them in Large, but the Small would probably have worked better around the ankles.

Presumably the loops would be too small for them to work. I have to tighten mine all the way and as a result, much of the velcro isn’t being utlizied resulting in a weaker seal. I also think the lace loop is way too large.

The height is just about right. I do use them a lot, even just for yard work, etc. , so grateful to at least have something thats functional and easy to get on and off. Make some minor adjustments, and this will be a mandatory product for anyone who enjoys getting on the trail.

I found the ankle enclosure way too tight when I got the correct size according to the size chart. The underfoot strap is also basically a thick piece of string. I didn’t test it out but didn’t have a lot of confidence in it.

I returned them.

This is my second pair and I found that these work best with my light hikers vs trail runners. They are easy to take on and off. The strap that goes under the foot is not as durable as some other styles but comfortable and still worth it as they keep out the debris very well.

TLDR: Harder to get on but more robust than the gaiters included with the Mudclaw 260G. Wish they came in a hi-viz option. I purchased these gaiters not realising the mudclaws came with a set of awesomely-green hi-viz ones.

I used those until one of the plastic clips broke last week. I had a bit of difficulty getting the elastic cuff over my foot/layered leggings, but once on it felt very secure and comfortable. I did bend one of the hooks in the struggle to get it into the slot on the side of the mudclaw, but since it was metal I was able to bend it back into shape without too much trouble.

The gaiters stayed on securely and kept my laces/ankles dry and mud free! I wish they came in fluorescent green.

Bought a big size for the big rocklites. Neat apperance. A bit odd manner of fixation for the side hooks. Hope, they won’t be crashing time and again just on the run.

I bought these for the Jura Fell race to try and keep scree and debris out of my shoes. I wore them on Mudclaws which do not have the attachment points. Not good I’m afraid. I had them really well and tightly secured with the rubber/neoprene loops supplied, but the first scree slope they were forced up at the back, over the heel, and allowed scree in.

What’s more, the gaiters then prevented me from easily removing the shoes to get the scree out.

I bought these gaiters about 2 weeks ago, and have only been on one trip since they arrived Note: Moosejaw is really impatient about soliciting reviews, ie. I received the first review request before I had the gaiters in hand! I’m not really fond of pushy people or businesses.

Alas, I forgot to put them in my pack or maybe forgot I had them – so this isn’t exactly a review of performance. Here’ my opinion though. The gaiter look nice and fit well. I like the under the boot strap vs a hook on laces type.

Downside to these gaiters is that the very top that fits around your calf muscle is small. Small enough that I can’t put the gaiters on with shoes on my feet. Not too much of a problem if I’m going to be needing them for the duration, but certainly a downer if on certain sections I need them and have to remove and re-install my shoes or I get overheated and need to take them off.

you get the idea. I will use them and believe the on/off issue will not be an insurmountable problem. After I’m out having too much fun to be bothered with such petty details.

I loved the idea of these. The attachments are easy to work but the gaiters themselves are not what I came to expect. I find the fit a little tight and there are not many adjustments to maintain the tension as the fabric stretches out.

These are not for the intense outdoor hiker. The slip-on feature was what made me give them a shot. I like them for short hikes less than about 6 miles. I have hiked about 80 miles in these but I question how they will hold up on the trail.

I have a section hike coming up so I will update my comments after some serious Sierra trail conditions.

I bought these gaiters for hiking/backpacking as I couldn’t find any others that offered the same level of attachments. Most others were only a friction fit with a front lace hook. These have the double hook and bottom strap under my boots.

I have used them a number of times and found they work great. They stay in place and keep my boots free of any debris which is what I bought them for. OR needs to offer them along with their other gaiters as these are the best for a light weight summer gaiter that works great.

I’ve been waiting for these for 2-3 years and they have not disappointed. I’ve yet to put them through their paces, but I can tell they are gonna be killer this fall. Best feature is that they can mold a custom fit even for guys like me with chicken legs.

I get a great seal at the top of my calf thanks to the elastic mechanism they have. Just exceptional quality.

These are some of my favorite gaiters, but glad I got the L. No way I will be able to wear them with more than 1 layer on. Fits the boot great but lacking in the calf area. Hopefully stone glacier comes out with the next size up soon so I can wear them in winter.

Well bouit gaiters but an elastic underfoot cord is not a good ideal in my opinion. It may last if you would use this gaiters only on snow but If you will use them on mixed ground (rocks, hard ice etc) I suspect the cord will not last a very long time.

In my opinion they should replace it with some strong strap. Also the gaiters are too small for my mountaineering boots size 10. 5 UK (11. 5 US, 45 EU). For those two reasons I had to return them. Give them a try If they would suit your expectations.

I bought the gaiters some weeks ago. I have mainly used them on ptarmigan hunting in Finnmark ( Norway). The gators works fine. The gaiters are slim, and a bit difficult to fit to a size 45 heavy mountain boots.

But when they are mounted, they fit the leg very well. After 5 days use, one of the rubber bands snapped. I think this is the week point of the gator. Keep the water out of course.

Used them on two trips in the Norwegian Mountains. Partly gone on glaciers and rocks. They have a superb fit and are easy to put on and take off. Elastic band under the boot is not the most solid.

I do a lot of outdoor maintenance on my bush block and these gaiters give me a peace of mind when in long grass, dense vegetation and areas that are not so visible. In regards to snakes that is. The disclaimer from the manufacturer is that these gaiters do not prevent snake bites, but I am confident that these canvas gaiters over a solid pair of pants with boots would prevent almost all snake bites save for the largest of snakes (if that), in which case I’d see it first else be very unlucky.

The materials and workmanship is excellent quality and the metal buckles and press studs give robustness. The velcro and the underboot strap are great quality and I anticipate them to last a long time.

My only issue is that I bought the biggest size available but it only just goes around my lower legs. Ok, yes my lower legs are large when they swell in the heat, but still, there are definitely bigger legs out there than mine.

I wish they made a larger size. I was fortunate enough to try a pair in person in an overpriced hiking superstore then order online here for much cheaper. I’m very happy with these canvas gaiters and anticipate I’ll have them for a long time.

Thumbs up.

The Sea to Summit Tumbleweed gaiters are shorter than many other types, but they do the job very well and are light and easy to carry. If you are looking for gaiters that you can use hiking or hunting without feeling like your legs are weighed down, these are a great option.

They’ll keep seeds and grass, and mud and muck off your lower leg. My only gripe is that the fit is firm. I am a runner and have ridiculously skinny calves, and these are a firm fit over heavier cargo pants.

They aren’t uncomfortable in any way, but I think it’s worth knowing ahead of time. Otherwise highly recommended – they will match boots, hiking shoes, trail running shoes and sneakers.

A little disappointed. I checked the specs to ensure I ordered the correct size on this high quality, well designed outstanding product (as they were costly & an online order from interstate). They are sadly too tight which is uncomfortable but I can’t wait several more weeks for an online return & redelivery.

I clearly needed an extra large, not a large, but they will do for now as they are wonderful quality.

Great latch. Brand new. Works great, wish Honda could make it little stronger. No reason for it to have broke in 1st place.

good quality. the lace under the shoe looks sturdy. excellent fit

Worked fine for my 2008 Odyssey Touring. My local shop put it in for $50. Dealer estimate to replace the lock & refit the box was $450! Thanks!