Gaiters keep water, seed heads, grass awns and ticks out of the top of the boot. On wet ground they are the difference between dry socks at lunchtime and a miserable afternoon.
Three broad types sit on this page. Full-length gaiters — Seeland Buckthorn, SwedTeam Titan, Sitka Stormfront, Extremities Field — close from the boot to below the knee and are the choice for hill, heather and long wet grass. Ankle gaiters such as the Beretta Tech are lighter, and stop stubble, grit and seed heads getting into a low boot without the heat of a full-length pair. Thornproof leggings and chaps — BushWear ThornGuard Pro, Bisley wax — are for going through rather than round: blackthorn, gorse and bramble on keepering and rough shooting days.
What to check before ordering: the underfoot strap and how it attaches, because a cord wears through far faster than a webbing strap on stony ground; whether the front closes with a zip, hook-and-loop or lace hooks; and the calf width if you are pulling them over a boot with a tall cuff. Where ticks are the concern rather than water, the Rovince Ergoline gaiters are worth a look.
Related: wellington boots, footwear, socks, boot care, midge and tick clothing.
