you will receive:
one Pair Trail Gaiter + one piece tubular face shield
Why Are Gaiters Important?
Honestly,
sometimes they aren’t. I actually hike in shorts and hiking sandals a
lot of the time. Even on longer trips, I wear shoes and pants without
hiking gaiters.
The
vast majority of hiking and backpacking is done on well beaten trails
and avoid rock scrambles and heavy brush almost entirely. On the
occasion you encounter some thorns or need to bushwhack for a bit, your
shoes and socks or pants often provide adequate protection. Too many
people get psyched out on gear and go clunking around the woods with
these unnecessary shin guards.
HOWEVER,
there are plenty of conditions that demand more protection than your
pants and shoes can offer. Gaiters will help keep your legs safe and
help you enjoy your time outdoors in these more extreme conditions.
Specifically, gaiters can help:
1) Block Debris. For
long distance backpacking, this is the #1 reason to use gaiters. I
hiked a few hundred miles on the Appalachian Trail before realizing how
frequently I was stopping to remove pebbles from my shoes. Pine needles
were worse and caused splinters. Ultralight gaiters were the solution to
my pesky shoe debris for the remaining 2,000 miles.
2) Shield Your Shins. Particularly
on rock scrambles and thick bush. If you are traversing rugged rocks or
plowing through a wilderness fortress, your legs are going to take a
beating. Your pants could be shredded and your legs could be exposed.
You’ll want some protection.
3) Channel Rain Runoff. Those
long legs of yours are a perfect funnel for rain to channel down into
your boots or shoes. Wet shoes and feet can be dangerous in winter.
Gaiters can divert rain from pooling in your shoes. Note, in warm
weather, I argue that wet feet are just part of it - use breathable
trail runners and keep hiking.
4) Insulate. Beyond
getting wet, your feet and ankles could use an extra layer of
insulation in the winter time. Waterproof gaiters help repel ice and
snow from collecting. The thicker the gaiter, the better the insulation.