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General Discussion => General Forum => Topic started by: 10gaugemag on December 11, 2022, 12:07:58 AM

Title: Gaiters
Post by: 10gaugemag on December 11, 2022, 12:07:58 AM
Does anyone wear a gaiter over their pants when they wear a lace up style boot?

If so what brands/models have you had good luck with?
Title: Re: Gaiters
Post by: PALongspur on December 11, 2022, 07:52:54 AM
Yes, wear them nearly every day I'm hunting. Spring and fall both. I've had good luck with the ones from Kenetrek.
Title: Re: Gaiters
Post by: Sir-diealot on December 11, 2022, 09:25:07 AM
I'm planning to get a pair of the Kenetrek, Mennonite I drive swears by them and he's always walking through Fields between deer, turkey, coyote hunting, trapping and what have you.

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Title: Re: Gaiters
Post by: aclawrence on December 11, 2022, 03:07:19 PM
I wear gaiters all the time. I have some OR expedition crocodile gaiters, turtle skin snake gaiters and I just ordered a pair of Kenetreks off of camo fire for pretty cheap a few days ago. I had Glenda green customize my turtle skins. They protect your pants and legs, keep water and crap out of your boots and keep your pants dry. I think they help keep my legs warmer to when it's colder outside.


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Title: Re: Gaiters
Post by: paboxcall on December 11, 2022, 03:29:39 PM
Never leave home without a pair of gaiters. Tired of wet cargo pants walking through dew-soaked tall grass which wicks down your socks in short order. Little worse than having wet socks.

Some zip, others velcro. I own and use both Sitka Thunderhead (zipper) and Kenetrek (velcro) gaiters, and for ease of adjusting I prefer the Kenetreks.

The Sitka Thunderhead gaiters are great, comfy, and once adjusted easy on/off with the zipper, but just a little tougher to adjust the under heel strap, compared to the external buckle on Kenetrek.

I spray my gaiters with Sawyers inside and out, so another tick barrier to wear afield is a plus.
Title: Re: Gaiters
Post by: vt35mag on December 11, 2022, 04:51:10 PM
Kenetreks all the time

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Title: Re: Gaiters
Post by: mcw3734 on December 11, 2022, 05:54:05 PM
I've been wearing Kenetrek gaiters for years, hunting and hiking. I wear lightweight, ankle-high hiking boots and they do a great job of keeping me dry from the morning dew and even quick-stepping through a shallow creek.

Used to have a pair from REI(?). Effective, but they were nylon and noisy. Haven't tried any other brands, so there might be something better out there. Either way, gaiters have always been a must have for me.
Title: Re: Gaiters
Post by: BBR12 on December 12, 2022, 05:35:40 PM
I have been wearing turtle skins for probably a dozen years. Keep pants dry, snake proof, and very light weight. I do a couple mods on mine to make them fit better but love them.
Title: Re: Gaiters
Post by: spiggy2 on December 18, 2022, 11:38:20 PM
I have used the Kenetrek gaiters but now use the Kings Camo XKG. They fit better than the Kenetrek ones and are more comfortable. Really happy with them


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Title: Re: Gaiters
Post by: Dtrkyman on December 19, 2022, 10:41:43 AM
KUIU any time it is damp or brushy enough that junk winds up in my boots!
Title: Re: Gaiters
Post by: J-Shaped on December 21, 2022, 08:07:07 PM
Turtle skins when in snake country, and Kennetreks any other time.
Title: Re: Gaiters
Post by: RLAG on December 21, 2022, 08:45:51 PM
J-shaped, what's the reason you don't use turtle skins normally? Do the kenetreks wear better/more comfortable?

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Title: Re: Gaiters
Post by: J-Shaped on December 23, 2022, 10:56:37 AM
Quote from: RLAG on December 21, 2022, 08:45:51 PM
J-shaped, what's the reason you don't use turtle skins normally? Do the kenetreks wear better/more comfortable?

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I find the Kennetreks more comfortable, as the material is lighter and not as stiff. I also like how they attach better, both at the top and to the boot. That said, they aren't snake proof if that matters. As others have done, I've made some modifications to my Turtle Skins to help them stay attached to my boots and not slide up.

I've had the Turtle Skins for about 5 years now and they look brand new despite pretty heavy usage. I haven't had the Kennetreks as long but put them through the motions on a mule deer hunt last month with a fair amount of snow and terrain and they kept me dry, never slipped, and kept debris out of my boots as they are designed to do.
Title: Re: Gaiters
Post by: RLAG on December 23, 2022, 02:52:38 PM
Great info. Mind sharing the mods you've done? I'll be headed to South Florida for a quota tag and I've been debating about picking up a pair of turtle skins. Figured $200 is cheaper than 10 grand for antivenom

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Title: Re: Gaiters
Post by: aclawrence on December 23, 2022, 05:40:31 PM
I'll post some pics of my turtle skins.  I need to take some better pics. I hated the zipper on my turtle skins so I did away with them and have Velcro on them now. If I was going to buy a pair with this mod in mind I would definitely get the x large pair because you lose a little bit of fabric with the Velcro mod.  I also had Glenda sew some bottomland material to them while she had them.
and shorten them for me since my legs are short lol.


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Title: Re: Gaiters
Post by: HillclimberWV on December 23, 2022, 08:05:18 PM
Another vote for kenetrek. Only thing i dont like is the cinch at the top nevers seems to stay tight. They do keepp alot of moisture, sticks, and briars off your pants and boots. Had a pair of outdoor research at one time. They were tough as nails but loud.
Title: Re: Gaiters
Post by: 10gaugemag on December 24, 2022, 04:58:41 PM
Ended up with OR Crocs.

A member on another forum had a brand new pair in package worth the $$.

Thanks for the input and suggestions.
Title: Re: Gaiters
Post by: TauntoHawk on December 24, 2022, 09:06:24 PM
What I will warm about is if you apply too much permethrin it will hurt the water resistance proofing. Had a pair of first lite gaiters that were great but after a few seasons of spraying down for ticks started soaking out easily.

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Title: Re: Gaiters
Post by: Mossberg90MN on December 29, 2022, 01:27:41 AM
I got some Kenetrek Gaiters. They're cool, make my legs a little warm in that area and they make a slosh sound if they touch or rub up against something.

But it's nice to have something to keep your pants from getting wet or getting burrs. I mainly only use them if I'm wearing my crispi boots, my go to is rubber boots.


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Title: Re: Gaiters
Post by: Matt76cmich on December 30, 2022, 06:54:24 PM
How do the gaiters work with big calves (19.5")? I've been thinking about getting a pair the last few years for the wet walks in the dark.

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Title: Re: Gaiters
Post by: aclawrence on December 30, 2022, 09:47:08 PM
Quote from: Matt76cmich on December 30, 2022, 06:54:24 PM
How do the gaiters work with big calves (19.5")? I've been thinking about getting a pair the last few years for the wet walks in the dark.

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Many of the brands offer different sizes. You could look up Kenetrek, Outdoor Research,  Kuiu, First Lite, Turtle Skins, I'm sure there's many more and some of them are bound to fit you.


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