We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›
Gaiters are one of the more underrated parts of a hunter’s clothing arsenal. Nothing ruins a hunt faster than wet and cold feet, nasty thorns, ticks, and scrub brush. Quality gaiters can help protect against all of the above and extend the life of expensive hunting boots. There are a bevy of gaiter options available today for specific seasons and species, whether you're deep in the turkey woods, stalking elk, or scrambling up a rock face after bighorn sheep. The only tricky part is picking the best pair for your preferred style and the best fit for your legs.
To help you find the right pair for your next hunt, we tested several of the top brands of boot gaiters to evaluate each on construction, protection, and fit. The good news? All of the following are excellent choices. These are the best hunting gaiters we've found for any hunter in any weather and any season.
Best Overall: Stone Glacier SQ2 Alpine
Best Under $100: First Lite Brambler
Best for Turkey Hunting: KUIU Kutana Storm
Best Waterproof: Sitka Stormfront
Best for Snow: Forloh AllClima
Best Overall: Stone Glacier SQ2 Alpine
Specs
Material: Ripstop and X-Pac
Weight: 11.5 oz
Closure: Velcro
Sizes: M-XL
Colors: Black
Pros
Extremely durable
Great warranty
Made in the USA
Very strong replaceable stirrups
Cons
Difficult to adjust
Expensive
Stone Glacier may be better known for their backpacks, but they have built impressive gaiters here. The SQ2 Alpine gaiters were the most rugged pair I tested. They effortlessly deflected thorns, pine needles, and everything else I threw at them. They also passed my waterproofing tests with flying colors. The standout feature is the “Contrail” bootstrap, which is made of cut-resistant Dyneema rope and, according to the brand, has the same wear resistance as steel. As such, it's incredibly durable and built for abuse—I predict it will hold up better in the long run than any other gaiter I own. Additionally, I like how Stone Glacier made this feature easy to replace. Hunters can easily carry a spare for those rugged, multi-day backcountry hikes. These gaiters will excel in high desert mountain environments for bighorn sheep, pronghorns, and elk.
Due to their materials and construction, these gaiters are expensive. I also found them to be the hardest pair to put on each time. It takes some adjusting to get the fit just right. It’s best to try them on and get them adjusted to your liking a few days before the hunt. Other than that, these are an excellent pair of gaiters built to take a beating. I also appreciate that these are made here in the USA, making them a great choice for anyone wanting to buy American.
Best Under $100: First Lite Brambler
Specs
Material: Cordura nylon
Weight: 12 oz
Closure: Velcro
Sizes: S/M, L/XL
Colors: Dry Earth, First Lite Fusion camo
Pros
Great fitting
Excellent moisture protection
Warm
Cons
Heavy
Some sizing issues
I found the First Lite Bramblers easy to slip on and off. They also closed around my leg more efficiently than any other pair. The layered construction quickly shrugged off all moisture and brush. I was also surprised to find they brought some warmth to my legs. Subsequently, these gaiters are perfect for trudging through heavy, wet snow. I can already tell these will have me hunting longer in the late season. Aside from being incredibly comfortable, these gaiters are well-constructed. I like the heavier fabric on the back of the calves. It does an excellent job deflecting thorns.
The thicker material makes these some of the heaviest gaiters I tested. It was noticeable, but the trade-off here is warmth and extra protection. I tested a size large, but I suspect I’ll need to size up for heavier layers. Looking online, I found this was a common issue with others. Those quirks aside, I love these gaiters and the affordable $85 price point. It’s hard to beat the combination of quality and price point here.
Best for Turkey Hunting: KUIU Kutana Storm
Specs
Material: Cordura nylon
Weight: 7.7 oz
Closure: Velcro
Sizes: L-XL
Colors: Valo, Verde, and Vias camo; Gunmetal and Ash
Pros
Extremely lightweight
Easy adjustments
Great for wet environments
Cons
Sizing seems small
A little shorter than most gaiters
The KUIU Kutana Storm Gaiters are built for harsh environments, but I like them for turkey hunting because of their lightweight construction. At 7.7 ounces for the pair, I barely noticed these gaiters while testing. That makes them excellent for warm spring days in southern states with thick thorns. I found these to be some of the easiest gaiters to adjust. The top button is perfectly positioned, and I like the simplicity of the stirrup adjustment. Pull the velcro loose, re-adjust, and stick. It takes mere seconds. I also like how these gaiters repel water. During my faucet test, the water would bead up and roll right off—nothing was absorbed and they dried very quickly. These gaiters will have no issues with dew-covered grass.
One thing to note: These gaiters run small, at least in my experience. It’s probably a good idea to go one size up if you're planning to wear extra layers for other hunting seasons. I also noticed these gaiters are about 1/2 to 1 inch shorter than the other options I tested. I suspect that’s where some of the weight savings come into play. Given the under-$100 price point, these are a solid pair of gaiters for various hunting scenarios.
Best Waterproof: Sitka Stormfront
Specs
Material: Gore-Tex
Weight: 9 oz
Closure: Zipper
Sizes: M, L/XL
Colors: Deep Lichen, Optifade Subalpine camo
Pros
Comfortable
Great for wet environments
Surprisingly lightweight
Cons
No top buttons
Expensive
It’s hard to beat Gore-Tex when it comes to waterproofing. That is what Sitka’s excellent Stormfront gaiters deliver. Damp vegetation is of little concern to these gaiters. The leather boot stayed bone dry underneath. Even though these are built for wet conditions, they are surprisingly lightweight. It was easy to forget these were on my legs during my hike. These gaiters did an excellent job of turning away thorns and pine needles. I can see these transitioning seamlessly between a mountainous elk hunt and a flatland early spring turkey pursuit. Some extra kudos to the designers for putting “left” and “right” labels on the tag to ensure they go on the correct leg. None of the other gaiters had this feature.
I’m a little puzzled as to why Sitka put a button at the bottom of these gaiters but not the top. Consequently, there are times when the top feels like it is slipping. At $159, these gaiters are not cheap. However, they are highly versatile for many different hunting styles. They are an excellent catch-all option for hunters who pursue a little bit of everything.
Best for Snow: Forloh AllClima
Specs
Material: AllClima fabric
Weight: 7.85 oz
Closure: Velcro
Sizes: S/M, L/XL
Colors: Deep Cover and Exposed camo
Pros
Tons of adjustments
Great for wet environments
Made in the USA
Cons
Expensive
No snow camo option
Forloh builds impressive gear for wet environments. Their AllClima gaiters provide the same excellent waterproof protection as their popular AllClima rain gear. These gaiters sealed off all moisture during my testing. It was easy for me to see that these things would be a powerhouse in deep snow. Another reason I like these for snow is the light, 7.85-ounce weight. It’s already hard enough trudging through deep drifts—these gaiters add barely any weight to the setup. Everything on this pair feels purposely built with a lot of thought. The stirrup strap is noticeably wider here, which adds even more strength.
My only gripe is that these Forloh gaiters don't come in a snow camo print, which would be awesome given that they're designed for cold weather. These gaiters are also the most expensive ones I tested at $169. However, some of that cost comes from manufacturing here in the States. Forloh has good QC because I’ve never gotten a bad product. The quality shows in every stitch of these gaiters, which makes the price tag worth it.
How We Tested Hunting Gaiters
For this piece, I tested as many pairs of hunting gaiters as I could acquire. I put them through the paces in the wilds of Northern Michigan’s Wilderness State Park. I hiked steep terrain, off-trail through dense brush and extremely wet foliage. Evaluating the water protection qualities was easy since I paired these gaiters with leather boots. Any moisture that leeched through was instantly visible.
Additionally, I ran each gaiter directly under a faucet with a leather boot to test the waterproof qualities. All the gaiters I tested were excellent, but I found a few things that set some pairs apart. I evaluated each on the following factors:
Noise: Will these gaiters make a lot of noise and spook game at close range? Are they best suited for rifle hunting?
Adjustment Systems: Is it easy to quickly adjust the fit of these gaiters? How complicated are the straps and buckles? Are there any loose-hanging straps?
Weight: Are the gaiters heavy? How easy is it to hike up steep terrain wearing them? Do heavier gaiters provide more warmth in cold conditions?
Fit: Are the gaiters comfortable for long hikes over varying terrain? Did I feel the material slipping or sliding at all during the tests?
Craftsmanship: I carefully inspected all the gaiters I tested. Specifically, I looked for loose threads or other signs of cheap craftsmanship. Most gaiters aren’t cheap, and I wanted to ensure readers get their hard-earned money’s worth.
How To Choose the Right Hunting Gaiters
When it comes to hunting gaiters, most pairs are very case-specific. Some will fare better on a mountaintop after bighorn sheep. Others work best for keeping moisture and ticks out on a wet spring day in turkey season. There are few “one size fits all” pairs of gaiters out there.
Fit
The hard part is finding a pair of gaiters that fits and is comfortable. Ideally, they should be snug around your calf without being too tight. Otherwise, the gaiters can cut off circulation and make your legs sweat. That’s not ideal for anyone, but especially not for a bowhunting scenario that involves wary animals like deer and elk.
Velcro vs. Zippers
Most gaiters made for hunting utilize velcro to keep the material on the hunter’s leg. Unfortunately, this is noisy and prone to alerting animals. If any part of it is exposed, it can also pick up stickers and other vegetation. Zippers are usually quieter. However, gaiters with zippers are also more expensive and can bind up at inopportune times. In most cases, it’s a trade-off decision.
Materials
Some gaiters are made from polyester or nylon materials that swish loudly in contact with each other. The material isn’t a massive concern for rifle hunters taking shots at a distance. However, it can be a deciding factor in a close-quarters bow hunt. Look for materials like brushed fabric that stay silent in contact with each other or foliage. Test the gaiters before your hunt to ensure the noise factor is at an appropriate level.
Stirrups
You have two choices here: stirrups that are fixed into place or removable ones. The removable ones are great for extending the life of the gaiter because it’s easy to simply get a replacement stirrup instead of a whole new gaiter. Look for gaiters with adjustable stirrups for a better and more customizable fit. However, a potential downside to adjustable ones is that they can have extra straps and loops that can get snagged on underbrush.
FAQs
Q: Are hunting gaiters worth it?
In my opinion, yes. Gaiters are extremely helpful for keeping you comfortable during a hunt. They block out moisture from snow and wet vegetation, keep your hunting socks dry, and extend the life of leather boots. Gaiters also protect against thorns, dirt, and other debris on the trail.
Q: Do gaiters stop snakes?
Most gaiters are built to protect against moisture, dirt, and debris. They are usually built for comfort. Unless advertised explicitly as snake-proof, it’s best not to rely on them as protection against venomous reptiles. Instead, invest in a good pair of snake boots.
Q: Do gaiters prevent ticks?
While gaiters may not entirely prevent ticks, they make it harder for them to get into clothing. They mainly provide an additional layer of protection. When appropriately cinched at the ankles, gaiters can prevent ticks from crawling up a pant leg. Ticks that get onto the outside of gaiters are easy to spot before attaching.
Why Trust Us
For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.
