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Just got a brand new pair in the mail today.  Tried them on and the zipper digs right into the back of legs every time I bend them.  Even worse when sitting as I would be against a tree.  I'm 5'11", so I'm not sure how anyone shorter could wear them, or what's up with the zipper being so stiff at the top and digging into both legs.   Considering sending them back.   

Does anyone know of any other brand snake gaiters to try?

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I use the scent blocker ones I tried sending a pic. Not sure it gonna go through.   


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I'll try again


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I roll them down (inward) about an inch to avoid the zipper in the back of the knee.

I just tried rolling them down inward = pain in the rear and not something I want to deal with every time I put them on.  I would think for almost $200 bucks they could have addressed that clear problem of a stiff zipper that digs right in the back of your leg behind the knee.  Side zip? Padding over the zipper? Zipper that stops a couple inches from the top of the back? 

I hear ya man - when I have them rolled down I barely notice them. Whats more frustrating is that you have to rig up a way to tie them down to your boots so they dont ride up on those long hikes. Im sticking with them for now because I really burn the boot tread when I hunt and there are no other snake gaiters that are even close to as light weight as the turtle skins.

They're definitely nice and lightweight.  I just don't understand the zipper or having to rig them to your boot.  I'll probably just send them back.  I don't burn up the trails as much as some, but I was really trying to get away from my Lacrosse Alpha 4x that are hot and clunky. 

I've worn a pair every day of our season for at least three years now, gotta say I've never noticed the zipper!

Quote from: PALongspur on March 30, 2021, 07:42:57 PM
I've worn a pair every day of our season for at least three years now, gotta say I've never noticed the zipper!

I have never felt the zipper, and with my boots they never ride up.
Never had to find a way to hold them down.
It must depend on the boots you wear as to whether they ride up or not.

I'm only 5'8" and I've never had an issue with the zipper. As for them riding up I just use one of the small bunji cords hooked on the 2 outside eyes and run under the my boot. Even with a 5 second "inconvenience" the turtle skin gaiters with light hiking boots beat any snake boots by a mile.

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Quote from: Brad_Colvin on March 30, 2021, 10:42:45 PM
I'm only 5'8" and I've never had an issue with the zipper. As for them riding up I just use one of the small bunji cords hooked on the 2 outside eyes and run under the my boot. Even with a 5 second "inconvenience" the turtle skin gaiters with light hiking boots beat any snake boots by a mile.

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This! Same exact thing for me with the bunji cords but I can use them without the bunji too. Never noticed the zipper.

Interesting replies.  I just had them on with tennis shoes in my house yesterday and walked around for 5-10 minutes.  They didn't seem to ride up at all, that wasn't really a concern, more so the zipper.  Maybe I'll give them a little more time today over some boots and see how it goes. 

Quote from: cutt down on March 31, 2021, 01:13:15 AM

Quote from: Brad_Colvin on March 30, 2021, 10:42:45 PM
I'm only 5'8" and I've never had an issue with the zipper. As for them riding up I just use one of the small bunji cords hooked on the 2 outside eyes and run under the my boot. Even with a 5 second "inconvenience" the turtle skin gaiters with light hiking boots beat any snake boots by a mile.

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This! Same exact thing for me with the bunji cords but I can use them without the bunji too. Never noticed the zipper.

It's really not riding up for me the bunji cords keep the front flap from flipping up.

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I have a little paracord loop attached to mine that I just tie a bow with on top of my boot. My dad ordered a pair and the first thing he did when he tried them on was stick his shoe laces through the holes and tie his shoes. It was one of those things like duh that's what those are for lol. I'm really short and I noticed mine digging into my legs but after you wear them for a while they soften up. That being said my OR croc gaiters are so much better. If turtle skin would design their gaiters more like the Outdoor Research gaiters they would be so much nicer.


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Are the OR croc gaiters snakeproof?

Quote from: twyatt on March 31, 2021, 08:08:28 AM
Are the OR croc gaiters snakeproof?

I just looked them up and they don't appear to be. At least they aren't advertised to be.

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Travis I had the regular size and sent them back. I noticed the digging of the zipper until I got the husky size. More room at the top. And I do have 20 in calves so that was the main reason I went bigger.

At first I didn't have to pull them tight at the top but as they broke in I now snug them up a little. I'm 5'7 so I roll them down a bit too. Small zip tie in middle hole to my laces to hold them down. Leave it loose so you can cut it off after hunting. I'd leave it there but so much easier zipping in the front then spin them around.

Really comfortable, I absolutely hate rubber boots. With 20 inch calves it's hard to find a pair that fit. Let alone the weight and bulk.

I have been running Turtle Skins for 2 years now and just bought my son a pair last week. We wear Lacrosse Grange rubber boots and have never had a problem with feeling the zipper or them riding up. My only complaint is that it is sometimes difficult to get the zipper to start sliding when you start to zip them. Just wish they would make in Camo patterns. I will never buy another snake boot!!!!

So besides Turtle Skin or Scentblocker - who else make a "flexible"  lead gaiter?

Quote from: Hwd silvestris on March 30, 2021, 02:59:32 PM
I'll try again


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I have these exact gaiters.  No complaints, other than they get warm.  I sure hope they work should I ever get bit!

I messed with them some more today and might give them a try.  If I fold them down about an inch or two, then the zipper doesn't bother me.  Too bad they don't make camo.
  This all just seems silly to me for an almost $200 dollar pair of gaiters.  Fold them down, get a husky size, bungee this, paracord that, zip ties, or they ride up.   I expect to modify stuff sometimes to get it to work, and would understand if this was a $50 pair of gaiters, not $180.  I can't figure out how the zipper isn't bothering some folks on here. 

Is there another brand of gaiters that anyone's using that they're happy with?  I don't mind a pair that's a little warm, I just need to ditch my rubber snake boots and find something comfortable.

As others have stated, they will soften up with use and either using the grommet holes for lacing into your boots or simply running a small bungee through the bottom will hold them in place. I think what it boils down to is if you want a comfortable gaiter for keeping you dry, there are other options, but if you want snake protection, they are, IMO, the best lightweight and comfortable option out there, and I've tried about everything.

If you want to break them in quick and possibly not deal with the zipper concern, put them over a pair of rubber knee boots and put them through the paces of a few days of hunting. I did this hunting in wet weather the first year I got mine and as soon as I put them on with my hikers I like to wear, I didn't even notice I was wearing them.

Also, unless they've changed, they did offer them in camo, though the khaki or dark green are basically invisible.

Thanks for all the replies.  I'm going to give them a whirl.  I don't see a better lightweight option for snake protection.   Guess I just expected a little better for the price, but it is what it is. 
I saw in another thread that someone cut a little slit in them and cut the elastic by the ankle, which kept them from riding up without having to use a bungee or zip tie.  Has anyone else tried that?

Quote from: twyatt on March 31, 2021, 08:08:28 AM
Are the OR croc gaiters snakeproof?

No they're just a normal hiking gaiter.  I agree it's a little frustrating. With that being said it's the best snake proof system I have found. Also if your wife or someone else goes you can jet then have the snake protection since our eyes are going to better at spitting a snake anyway. Also if your boots get soaked grab another pair of boots out the gaiters back on and your good to go again. It just seems a lot better than snake boots to me.


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I have these crackshot gaiters. Not near as pricey as other options, and I have been pleased with them. I wear snake boots about half the time, and these the rest. When my daughter or wife is with me, I wear my snake boots and put these on them...they are a bit big on my daughter, but she manages. Worth it "just in case."

https://www.amazon.com/Crackshot-Snake-Guardz-Socks-Large/dp/B01F0JPL04/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=snake+proof+gaiters&qid=1617224018&sr=8-5

I looked at those Crackshot for a long time.  May order those too just to see which ones I like better.

I have had the turtle skin deals and about every other kind of snake gaiters/chaps from being in timber business.   The scent blockers are the real deal for a turkey hunter.  They fairly soft and adjustable.  I ordered mine in regular size (not husky)cuz I don't like them being lose on my legs. They also have a stirrup so they don't ride up.  All chaps are going to be hot. No way around it.

Besides the turkeys down here in the south (southeastern eastern subspecies) can smell.  Not sure bout the birds up north.


https://www.blockeroutdoors.com/snake-gaiters


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Quote from: Big Jeremy on March 31, 2021, 04:55:47 PM
I have these crackshot gaiters. Not near as pricey as other options, and I have been pleased with them. I wear snake boots about half the time, and these the rest. When my daughter or wife is with me, I wear my snake boots and put these on them...they are a bit big on my daughter, but she manages. Worth it "just in case."

https://www.amazon.com/Crackshot-Snake-Guardz-Socks-Large/dp/B01F0JPL04/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=snake+proof+gaiters&qid=1617224018&sr=8-5

I wore these all last season and was pleased with them. The buckles can be annoying but a major improvement over snake boots.


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Quote from: twyatt on March 31, 2021, 04:42:48 PM

I saw in another thread that someone cut a little slit in them and cut the elastic by the ankle, which kept them from riding up without having to use a bungee or zip tie.  Has anyone else tried that?
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My son has wore Turtle Skin chap for nearly 10 years. He cut the elastic bands at the ankles. This stops them from riding up.  His are reversible camo/ khaki.

I have a pair of crack shots , worn them a good bit the last 2 years . They have held up well so far , there a little warm on hot days , but I'll trade that for confidence and safety against these " waterheadedrattlemocaccians " 

Are the turtleskins waterproof? I meant to ask that earlier in the thread.  I don't see it in the description anywhere online

Quote from: twyatt on April 01, 2021, 06:56:00 AM
Are the turtleskins waterproof? I meant to ask that earlier in the thread.  I don't see it in the description anywhere online

I would say they are highly water-resistant. I've run across small creeks
that were 10-12 inches deep with them and some gore-tex leather boots
and I never got wet and water ran right off. Mine fit around my boot snugly at the bottom. This is one reason I wouldn't want to cut the elastic at the bottom. I've also walked through about a half-mile of 12-14" tall
wet grass and they finally soaked through and got wet.
They do dry fairly quickly. I love them - they never ride up, and most of the time you forget you're wearing them. One other reason I like them
way better than snake boots is that if you hunt until 12-1 o'clock and it gets hot, and you then have a long walk out on a gravel or forest service road where you can see there are no snakes in the road, you can take them off for the walk out.
They will make your legs sweat a bit during the hunt.

I've run these Dans gaiters for a couple seasons and zero complaints other than how hot they are, but all gaiters are going to be hot.