The best hunting gaiter was the Kenetrek Hunting Gaiter as it was made from 1000 denier nylon, which is very tough and durable. It also has a stormblocker membrane, which will keep you dry.
In this article, I have reviewed 7 of the best hunting gaiters that you can use for your next trip. There was a long list of 18 gaiters that were reviewed, and I could only find seven that were good enough to fit my selection criteria.
I have worn gaiters in the past to protect my shoes and pants against wear and tear and to keep my legs dry.
I made sure the gaiters were made from durable materials and had at least some waterproof capabilities. Below is a summary of the products that I reviewed.
Best Hunting Gaiters
- Kenetrek Hunting Gaiter (Best Overall)
- Pike Trail Leg Gaiters (Budget-Friendly)
- Badlands Master Gaiter (Most Durable)
- King’s Camo TX Weather Pro Gaiter (Best Insulation)
- Unigear Leg Gaiters (Best Waterproof)
- Kryptek Petra Gaiter (Best For Treestand Hunters)
- Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain Gaiters (Lightest Gaiter)
Let’s get started with the #1 product.
#1 Kenetrek Hunting Gaiter (Best Overall)
- Size: Medium, Large, X-Large
- Weight: 14 oz
This hunting gaiter is made from 1000 denier nylon, which is a very durable material to use. 1000 denier is about as thick as they come and will prevent the fabric from tearing through a harsh brush.
The Tricot Microfleece exterior also prevents noise from being created while you walk through tall grass or brush. It also has a stormblocker membrane, which is waterproof and breathable. This membrane will prevent your shoes from getting wet and will allow for your feet to cool down.
You can also put it on with ease with the help of the front opening velcro strap. Just strap it open, put it over your lower leg and strap it close again. It also uses several features to keep it stable as well.
It uses both a buckle and a foot strap, which can also be adjusted. It will allow the gaiter to stay in place and make it more versatile. It also uses the mossy oak terra camo.
Cons: Only has one camo color/pattern available.
#2 Pike Trail Leg Gaiters (Budget-Friendly)
- Size: 15” long
If you are tight on a budget, I would recommend this gaiter because it is the least expensive option. It also has most of the features that you would want for hunting gaiters.
The Pike Trail gaiter is made from polyester, which is a durable and tear-resistant material. It will be able to last longer and will not tear when coming into contact with the brush.
This gaiter is also very versatile as it has adjustable straps. It has a strap at the top, which can be tightened according to your calf’s width. It also has an adjustable strap at the bottom that goes underneath your shoe. This strap gives the gaiter more flexibility and uses a metal buckle that will not break.
You get a lot of versatility when using these straps in combination. When not in use, you can also store them in a handy carry bag that you get along with the product. There are also several colors available suitable for hunting.
Cons: Might not be very waterproof
#3 Badlands Master Gaiter (Most Durable)
- Size: Medium and Large
- Weight: 10.6 oz
If durability is a dealbreaker for you, then I would recommend this gaiter from Badlands. This gaiter has many features which make it top of the range. Let’s start with the material used.
The Badlands Master gaiter uses a material called KXO-50 with Hypalon. KXO-50 is just as strong as its KXO-32 counterpart, except that it is even lighter. It is also waterproof, tear-resistant, and durable.
Hypalon is a type of rubber that also enhances the features listed above. This product uses an adjustable foot strap and buckle, which makes it easy to adjust and stable. The foot strap is made from nylon, which is very durable and is meant to keep the gaiter in place.
The strap on top is used to tighten the gaiter around your calf so that it does not fall off. All these features make for a versatile gaiter. It also uses a camo called Approach Fx.
Cons: Can be somewhat expensive
#4 King’s Camo TX Weather Pro Gaiter (Best Insulation)
- Size: 18” long (only one size)
- Weight: 10.4 oz
This gaiter is meant for a cold and wet conditions such as snow. This gaiter is also lightweight as it weighs only 10.4 oz. It is also made from polyester 300 denier, which is relatively strong and durable.
What makes this gaiter so unique is that it uses a TX Weatherproof Membrane, specifically designed to keep moisture out and provide you with some of the best insulation gaiters can offer.
It uses a zipper closure, making it easier to open up the gaiter for an easier application. There is an adjustable velcro closure system at the top of the gaiter, which can be adjusted according to the thickness of your leg.
The adjustable foot strap will also help keep the gaiter in place on top of your foot. Several colors are available to choose from, including desert shadow, mountain shadow, and snow shadow.
Cons: I am not a massive fan of zippers on gaiter as zippers tend to give issues.
#5 Unigear Leg Gaiters (Best Waterproof)
- Size: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large and 2XL-Large
- Weight: 8.7 oz to 11 oz
This gaiter has superior waterproofing capabilities and is best used for wet conditions. The material is coated with a TPU water repellent that will keep the moisture outside of the gaiter, keeping you dry.
The gaiter’s upper part is made from Taslon, which helps keep you warm and helps with breathability. It will allow your legs to cool down when it is very hot. The main part is made from 1000 denier nylon, which is very thick and durable. Nylon on its own is also good at preventing water from leaking through.
This gaiter uses top closure buckles that can be adjusted so that it fits better on your leg. It also uses velcro on the front area to open. At the bottom of your foot, it uses a foot strap with a zinc alloy buckle. This foot strap is essential to keep the gaiter in place.
It also uses lace hooks, which will help keep it in place and prevent it from twisting.
Cons: This gaiter only comes in color black.
#6 Kryptek Petra Gaiter (Best For Treestand Hunters)
- Size: Small, Medium, Large and X-Large
- Weight: 7.2 oz
If you want a gaiter that will blend into the bark of a tree, then you might want to use the Kryptek Petra Gaiter with the treestand. It makes use of 500 denier Cordura fabric, which is a patented fabric that consists of several materials.
This fabric is strong, durable, and puncture-resistant. It also uses a DWR & Polyurethane coating, which makes it waterproof so that you can enjoy hunting in the snow and other wet conditions. It can be opened with velcro, which makes it easier to put on.
It is also stable with a cord lock above the calf region and an adjustable foot strap that helps stabilize the gaiter. These features help keep the gaiter in place not to fall off or twist to the side. It also uses the highlander color scheme, which blends into most regions, and the pattern is suitable for treestand hunters.
Cons: This gaiter has a higher price tag.
#7 Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain Gaiters (Lightest Gaiter)
- Size: Small, Medium, Large and X-Large
- Weight: 6.8 oz
Here is another product that is just too good to scrape off the list. It is made from 420 denier nylon, which has many properties useful for gaiters. It is very durable and has some waterproofing capabilities to keep you dry. These gaiters will also not tear as easily as some other gaiters might.
The velcro closure makes it easy to open the gaiter at the front. This is useful if you either want to take it off or put it on. It has a buckle closure on top, which prevents the gaiter from fall down. It also uses a boot strap that prevents the gaiter from moving up.
The boot lace hooks also add some stability to the gaiter. This gaiter also comes in color black, which is acceptable for hunting. This is also the lightest gaiter on the list.
Cons: The only available color is black.
Guidelines On Choosing the Best Hunting Gaiter
This section will explore the criteria you need to look for before buying a gaiter for hunting.
Materials used
The gaiter’s materials play a significant role in how durable and waterproof it will be. The gaiter will not last long if it is made from inferior materials.
The common materials used to make these gaiters’ fabric were synthetic materials such as polyester and nylon. These synthetic materials are very durable and have hydrophobic properties, which prevent moisture from going through them.
Most military equipment is made from these materials. The denier number also determines the thickness of the strands used to weave the fabric. The higher the denier, the thicker the material, which means it is more robust. The materials range from 300 to 1000 denier.
KXO-50 is also a material made from unknown synthetic fibers from a secret recipe that might contain polyester or nylon.
Weight
As a hunter, you need to be prepared to walk long distances. Carrying a low weight with you will not be ideal, so it is important not to wear too heavy gaiters. In this review, I tried my best to limit the weight only to 15 oz.
Most of the gaiters were less than 10 oz, while the Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain Gaiters were the lightest with a weight of 6.8 oz.
Camo colors and patterns
You need to stay away from bright colors for hunting because you do not want to be seen by the animals. The only plain colors that I would recommend are black and khaki. You should also remember that the color scheme you choose depends on the terrain and the animal you plan to hunt.
- Highlander color scheme: This color pattern is best used for treestand hunters, open terrain, and desert.
- Desert shadow: This camo is best used for the desert.
- Mountain shadow: This camo is best used for mountainous regions with rocks and trees.
- Snow shadow: Best for areas covered in snow.
- Mossy Oak Terra: This pattern is also very versatile and can be used in woods and rocky areas.
- Approach Fx: This camo is very versatile and can be used in most areas. Watch the video below for more info.
Durability
With all the clothes that you will wear during hunting, the gaiters will most probably take the most beating of them all. They are the lowest and will have to go through brushes and grass. Because of its job, it needs to be durable.
Some of the most durable materials on this planet for clothes are polyester and nylon. These materials can also be improved by making their threads thicker, which increases the denier number. I am happy to say that most of the gaiters in this list contained either one of these two materials.
The Badlands Master Gaiter was the most durable as it is made from KXO-50, which uses a combination of these synthetic materials.
Breathability
The materials need to be breathable so that you can walk long distances without having to take them off when it gets too hot. Nylon and polyester are very breathable materials that will allow for most of the hot air surrounding your lower legs to escape.
Your body also must not sweat too much because it will then give off a scent.
Form and Fit
The gaiters will cover the area between your ankles and knee. Most gaiters will also be contoured so that it will cover the top part of your shoes as well. With some gaiters, you can also choose between different sizes, which range from Small to X-Large.
Versatility and stability
Most companies that manufacture gaiters try to make them so that one size will fit most people. Most gaiters will have three features that make this possible. The features include shoe straps, buckles, and lace rings.
The shoe straps are located at the bottom part of the gaiter and go under your shoe to prevent the gaiter from slipping off. The straps can also be adjusted to fit people with larger shoes.
The buckle straps or drawstrings are located just above your calf area. They enable you to pull them tight so that the gator does not fall down. The lace rings also give the gator more stability and prevent it from twisting or falling off your shoe.
Water Resistance
If you plan to hunt in snowy or heavy rainfall areas, the gaiter must be waterproof. The gaiter will also absorb most of the water that comes from the lower brush and tall grass. Nylon and polyester are great as both are hydrophobic. It means that the material will not absorb moisture. If you plan to hunt some ducks, you should consider reading this piece on duck hunting waders. Gaiters only offer limited protection against water from leaking into your boots.
The Unigear Leg Gaiters are the best at waterproofing because it uses a TPU water repellent to prevent water from leaking through. You can also take an extra step and check out my review of the best waterproof hunting pants.
FAQ
Q: What are gaiters?
Gaiters are garments that you can wear over your shoe and maybe your lower legs. It will cover the top part of your shoe and also your calf area.
Q: What Are Gaiters Used For?
They are used as protective gear to protect your shoes and pants against moisture and abrasion. Gaiters can be used for hunting, hiking, snow skiing, and backpacking.
Q: What are the benefits of wearing gaiters?
Because it protects your shoes and pants from moisture and abrasion, it will keep you dry, and your gear will also last longer. It can also keep you warm if it is freezing outside. There is also a change where it will prevent insects and debris from falling into your shoe.
Q: Are there any disadvantages to wearing gaiters?
Gaiters will add some weight to each leg, which will make it harder to walk long distances. It is essential to choose lightweight gaiters.
Q: What’s the Best Material For Gaiters?
The best material is polyester and nylon. Both of these materials are very durable and offer waterproofing capabilities.
Q: Can gaiters protect my legs from snakebites?
It all depends. The gaiters in this section were not made to protect your legs from snakes. I have written an article on the best gaiters for snakebites specializing in protecting your legs against snakebites.
Q: How to clean my gaiters?
You can wash them in a machine with cold water, but it should not be done all the time. First, try to wipe off the dirt with a piece of cloth or soft brush. If that fails to remove the dirt and stains, then move on to the machine.
Q: How do you prevent gaiters from falling down?
Most gaiters will enable you to pull some cord or tighten a buckle just above your calf area, helping the gaiter stay in place.
My #1 Recommendation
If you still could not choose which one was the best, then I would recommend the Kenetrek Hunting Gaiters. They solve most of the problems that you will encounter with most of the gaiters that are sold online.
These gaiters are both waterproof and durable and will not break the bank. It also uses Mossy Oak Terra camo, which is very versatile and can be used in almost any type of terrain.
Which was your favorite? Please leave a comment below and tell us why.
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