Gaiters

Gaiters are required to keep snow out of your boots when trekking through deep snow or building snow shelters.  If snow gets in your boots, it will melt and soak your boots.  Soaking wet boots are cold and miserable and increase the likelihood of blisters, non-freezing immersion injuries and frostbite.  It if vital that you keep your boots dry and gaiters help with that. 

Waterproof Gaiter Recommendation

• • A good set will keep snow out of your boots

  • Outdoor Research and Black Diamond make the best Gaiters

  • You can get similar working No-Name ones on Amazon from $20-$30

Waterproof Gaiters

Gaiters come in full length and low cut.  Some are waterproof and some are breathable.  We recommend full length, waterproof gaiters.  Waterproof Breathable Gaiters are nice, but this feature adds a lot to the price. 

Full Length Gaiters

Full length gaiters are recommended for deep snow. 

• • Amazon No-Name Brands

    • from $20-$30

    • Scout won't notice any significant difference between heavy duty NO-Name Gaiters and Top End Gaiters 

    • Adults will notice a difference after a long day in the snow

  • Outdoor Research Gaiters

    • This local company makes excellent gear and has great replacement policy

    • Outdoor Research makes great gear and has several types of Gaiters

      • Outdoor Research Crocodile

        • Standard Waterproof/Breathable version of OR line of Gaiters

        • GORE-TEX

        • These are Excellent Gaiters

        • This is what you want for breaking trail in deep snow or working on snow shelters

      • Outdoor Research Expedition Crocodile GORE-TEX Gaiters

        • Expedition version of OR line of Gaiters

        • GORE-TEX

        • Cordura shell 

        • Overkill for Scouts

        • Some of our Adult Instructors use these

      • Outdoor Research Helium

        • Lightweight version of OR line of Gaiters

        • Pertex Shield

        • Thin = Not Durable

        • NOT recommended for Scouts 

      • Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain High Gaiters

        • Economy version of OR line of Gaiters

        • 100% nylon fabric with polyurethane coating

        • These are OK for shorting outings where you won't be in deep snow

  • Black Diamond

    • Known for making high end climbing gear

    • They have several types/tiers of Gaiters

      • Black Diamond Alpine Gaiter

        • Winter Waterproof/Breathable version of BD line of Gaiters

        • 3-layer Gore-Tex welded hard-shell upper

        • Zippered front closure

      • Black Diamond GTX FrontPoint Gaiter

        • Ice Climbing Waterproof/Breathable version of BD line of Gaiters

        • Seam-taped, two-layer GORE-TEX upper and Ballistic nylon lower

        • Hook-and-loop front closure with snap

        • Narrow tailoring for tight fit around ice climbing boots

      • Black Diamond Apex GTX Gaiter

        • Expedition version of BD line of Gaiters

        • Three-layer GORE-TEX welded hardshell upper

        • Welded, double-layer 600d abrasion guard

Low Gaiters

If you are getting gaiters for Snow Outings, we recommend Full-Length Gaiters.  Mid and Low Gaiters offer some protection, but aren't as good as Full-Length Gaiters, especially if you are wearing full length boots.

Of course, some protection is better than none. 

• • Amazon

    • There are a lot of options out there

  • REI Co-op Backpacker Low

    • 3-Layer waterproof/breathable fabric

  • Outdoor Research Rocky Mt. Low

    • 100% nylon fabric

  • Black Diamond Talus

    • Softshell/hardshell

    • Boottop Gaiter