Gaiters and Overboots

Featured review by LoneStranger

The Hillsound Armadillo LT gaiters provide full length protection from the wet and yuck, but are breathable and light enough to wear all year long. A waterproof front zipper makes for easy use. Flexible upper material fits closely for less friction, yet allows freedom of movement for hiking, snowshoeing, or light climbing. Easily replaced foot strap is a bonus.

                             Close fitting ankle to knee gaiter, but very flexible and light. Manufacturers Specs: 259g/9.25oz (XS) 270g/9.6oz (S) 300g/10.7oz (M) 315g/11.25oz (L) 324g/11.5oz (XL) Waterproof to 20,000mm Breathability rating: 6RET, 15.000 + g MRSP: $49 US Fit & Comfort: Based on the Hillsound size chart I tested the Large size on my boots (Limmer Standards and Limmer Light-Weights) which were both of a size 11.5 USM / 45 EUM. My calf circumference measures roughly 17" which puts me at the top end of their sizing for the Large.

Read more: Hillsound Armadillo LT reviews (5)

Featured review by LoneStranger

Heavy duty gaiters for those times you need more than something to keep out dust. Thick protective panels stand up to sharp rocks and errant snowshoes. Tight fit around boots for keeping mud, snow or whatever you get into out of your boots.

Full coverage from foot to knee keeps out snow and provides some shin protection as well. Fit & Comfort: Based on their sizing chart I originally ordered these in XL as my foot size falls right in the middle of that 10-13 US range. When they arrived and I tried them I found that they were too large and the material was loose around my boots even when the strap was fully tightened. I returned them for a pair in the L size and have found that works better for me though they don't cover the top of my boots as well as I'd like.

Read more: Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters reviews (10)

Reviewed by Sammy312

Don't let your shins get bloody or bruised! Lightweight orienteering gaiters to protect your shins from thorns and nettles! These are shin guards to protect you from scratches and bruises when running in the forest.

After running an orienteering course at a national meet last year, I browsed the wares of a vendor who had set up shop. He had several different types of gaiters. These were the lightest and least expensive. They have about a 4mm thick piece of foam that's about 6cm wide and sewn in place. He was also selling Treklite ThornGaiters, with a thick removable piece of foam that provides coverage for the entire front of your shins inside heavy nylon. I decided to go with the lighter style.  Front and back of the gaiters.

Read more: Vapro Orienteering Gaiters review (1)

Featured review by Mr. Y

I wanted to get a pair of these for Mt. Rainer and also technical ice-climbing IV/V+, inspired by Jeff Lowe's seminal Ice World book. Fortunately I was able to try them out in my local REI store before buying. They simply did not fit me. I have large muscular legs with very large calves and the gaiters simply did not reach around my calf muscles (I also tried the regular Crocs, same problem probably even narrower). Otherwise, the design, construction and quality appeared to be good, esp. the tough construction/reinforcing in the all important inner crampon kick zones.

Read more: Outdoor Research Expedition Crocodiles Gaiters reviews (6)

Featured review by Twig

Dirty Girl gaiters are a lightweight, simple, and affordable accessory designed to be worn with trail runners and low-top hiking shoes. They serve one basic function and that is to keep dirt and debris from getting inside your shoes. They are great for a variety of activities, from trail running to long-distance hiking. And how could you not like a product with a name like “Dirty Girl”!

Description: These gaiters are a simple accessory designed to keep dirt and debris from getting inside a shoe while hiking or running along a trail. Unlike traditional mountaineering gaiters, they are NOT meant to protect from snow, streams, sharp rocks, branches, sticks, and all the other perils possibly encountered when doing intense bushwhacking and/or mountaineering. As entertainingly stated on the website: Dirty Girl Gaiters are made in America by goddesses from their empire of dirt in Green Valley, Arizona.

Read more: Dirty Girl Gaiter reviews (7)

Featured review by Bentbrook

Low in weight, high in performance—an easy-on, easy-off option to prevent rain, snow, or debris from entering your shoes or boots.

Note: A quick check of of the Outdoor Research site lists this item a a current price of $33.50. It appears to have become unavailable on other sites recently. There is a trail in southwestern that rises steeply from Helton Creek on the slope of Elk Garden Ridge toward Deep Gap, west of the summit of Mount Rogers in southwestern Virginia. It is a lovely trail beneath a soaring canopy of trees, a narrow footpath lined with shin-high vegetation. And just as one's eyes lift in exhilaration to admire the lofty boughs above, pain shoots through one's shins: the innocuous stinging nettle that lines the trail claims another victim.

Read more: Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain Low Gaiters reviews (3)

Reviewed by CoryPA

Well, I was looking for reviews of these gaiters online, and I couldn't find much. So, I wanted to add my findings once I purchased them. They are narrow feeling compared to the Outdoor Research Expedition Crocs I have used in the past, but they do fit snugly over my Scarpa Inverno plastic mountaineering boots. In hindsight, the OR's may have been overly baggy around my boots.  Overall, the quality of materials feels good and I think they could take some abuse. The boot strap, attachments, and gaiter material seem durable.  The only part that seems a bit sketchy is the plastic clip that cinches and clips the top strap around your calf.

Read more: Black Diamond Apex review (1)

Reviewed by Andy Gotto

Lightweight, simple, and tough enough.

ZPacks Cuben Fiber eVent Challenger Rain Gaiters are great lightweight insurance against wet, cold, muck and wind. At 2.2 ounces, calf height waterproof gaiters don't come much lighter. They slip on easily over shoes or boots. I carry them with ZPacks Challenger rain mitts in a portion-sized ziploc to reduce abrasion in the pack. Rolled up the mitts and gaiters are about the same size as an average candy bar. Instead of a thick strap holding the gaiters to the bottom of the shoe the Challengers use 2.2 mm Dyneema cord with an adjustable line lock to hold the gaiter snug.

Read more: Zpacks Challenger Rain Gaiters review (1)

Reviewed by Euphorbia

I have used these almost daily for years. I am on my second set, having returned a set about 2 years ago, on exchange, and I love these gaiters. I am waiting for them to be in stock again so I can exchange them one more time (some seams on the velcro have dethreaded, lol, they have been through so much). I have used these on... 2 x 5 10 Ascents, Salomon 3d GTX Fastpacker Mids, some Nike mid/trail boots I cant remember too well, they fell apart so fast, Keen Targhee II mids this early spring, and currently Nike Alvord VII's and a pair of TNF Purgatory, for the summer.

Read more: REI Desert Gaiters review (1)

Reviewed by Go Time! (Jesse Maloney)

Really warm and versatile boot that fits over your existing hiking boot or shoe. Compatible with spikes or other traction gear, they perform really well in snow and ice.

I was surprised that there weren't any NEOS outershoe reviews yet on Trailspace. These are everywhere in MN. They are endorsed by the National Snowshoeing org. and fat tire winter cyclists swear by them. They come in many different models from short rainshoe covers to extreme winter gear with built in traction cleats. The model I'm reviewing here is an insulated winter gaiter.  I have really loved my Neos. As one other reviewer from Yukon put it, "I would not buy a winter boot that did not have a removable liner." Cool thing about Neos is that you can choose your liner.

Read more: NEOS Forerunner review (1)