Look after your legs with hiking gaiters
Australia not only has some of the world's most venomous snakes, but it has them in abundance. What can feel like just a small scratch from the undergrowth in the bush, could actually be a highly poisonous bite. Therefore, it makes sense to wear hiking gaiters whenever you go off the beaten track for hiking, hunting, or fishing.
What are hiking gaiters
Hiking gaiters consist of a tough sleeve of cloth that clips to your boots and straps tightly around your lower leg. You can find short gaiters that cover just your ankles, or a long pair of gaiters which protects all the way up to your knees.
How hiking gaiters work
This essential piece of camping and hiking clothing puts a water, dust, snow and snake-resistant layer between your ankles and shins and the great outdoors. They stop irritating bits and pieces from getting into your boots and stop you getting scratched and scraped by the undergrowth.
Types of hiking gaiter
Hiking gaiters come in a range of materials, including nylon, polyester, fleece and canvas. If you require particular kind of protection for your terrain, then check the details carefully, as some gaiters are designed to offer a barrier against specific hazards, such as scrub plants like the spiky spinifex bush, or the fangs of venomous snakes.
Choosing your hiking gaiters
Unlike most hiking gear, gaiters generally come in a fully adjustable, one size fits all style, with hooks and straps that will match with most hiking shoes and boots. The best gaiters will also have straps or cords that run under your boot to keep them firmly in position. Look for long-lasting attachments or even better, attachments that can easily be replaced without the cost of replacing the whole gaiter, such as those found on Sea to Summit Quagmire gaiters.