My #1 recommended snakeproof gaiter will be the Crackshot Guardz Gaiters that offers some of the best protection, is lightweight, and does not cost a fortune.
This article will discuss 4 of the best snake gaiters that will protect you from the most poisonous snake bites you can encounter.
I have handled many snakes in the past. There was a time where I would actually try and catch them as well. If you want to put yourself in their domain, then you need to be protected. There were many gaiters for sale online, and most of them will not withstand a snakebite.
I am going to look at gaiters that have more than one layer of fabric for extra protection. Some gaiters will be very solid and somewhat heavy, while others will be lightweight. Adjustability and stability are also important.
Best Snake Gaiters
- Crackshot Guardz Gaiters (Best Overall)
- Ueasy Leg Gaiters (Budget-Friendly)
- V-Cheetong Snake Gaiters (Offers Best Protection)
- TurtleSkin SnakeArmor Snake Gaiters (Very Lightweight)
Are you ready to learn more about the best snake gaiters that will offer the best safety?
Read on to learn more:
#1 Crackshot Guardz Gaiters (Best Overall)
- Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, 2X-Large and 3X-Large
- Weight: 11 oz
These gaiters from Crackshot will be my favorite because it offers some of the best protection and is also not that expensive. Each gaiter has a weight of around 11 oz, which is not that much for most people. You want something light enough if you plan to walk long distances.
It is made from two layers, which consist of 1000 denier nylon and is reinforced with polyacrylic plastic shields. It also has flaps that go over your shoe to protect it from water and other elements.
Each gaiter has two adjustable buckles that you can use to adjust the size so that it fits comfortably around your calves. It has a buckle at the top and one at the bottom. It also has multiple colors, ranging from black, blaze orange, Mossy Oak, brown, grey, and more.
Cons: The only drawback that these gaiters will have is that it might make your legs very hot and sweaty. It might also not be very stable as it does not have a foot band.
#2 Ueasy Leg Gaiters (Budget-Friendly)
- Sizes: 16.9” circumference & 15.7” long (only one size)
- Weight: 8 oz
If you are on a budget, I would recommend the Ueasy Leg Gaiters, the least expensive option. It might not offer top of the range protection against snake bites but will, in most cases, prevent the bite from touching your skin.
It is made from 600 denier anti-tear Oxford fabric, covering the back and the area around your ankle. It also uses a 300 denier polyester liner at the front for extra protection. This material is also waterproof and breathable, which will allow you to stay dry and cool.
It has a fixed size, which has a circumference of 16.9” and is 15.7” long (from your foot to your knee). It can also easily be opened at the front shin area with the help of velcro. This gaiter will also fit and be very stable on your leg with the help of a food band and a buckle strap on top.
It can also be fastened on your shoelace, making it stick and not move up or down on your leg.
Cons: The only con that I came across was that it only offers average protection against snake bites.
#3 V-Cheetong Snake Gaiters (Offers Best Protection)
- Sizes: 13” in length and ranges from 7” to 20” in circumference.
- Weight: 27 oz
If you want the best protection that snake gaiters can offer, I would recommend this product from V-Cheetong. It uses three different layers to maximize protection. It has two layers, which include a 608 denier Oxford fabric and a 210 denier lining on the inside. There is also a polypropylene panel on each gator for added protection.
The outside layer is also coated with a PVC waterproof coating, preventing the gaiter from getting wet. These gators are also very comfortable to wear and make use of a foot band, buckles, and velcro. The foot band will prevent the gaiter from falling off your foot and also moving up your leg.
The buckles can be adjusted to change the circumference and fit of the gaiter around your calves. It also uses two different camo patterns, which you can make use of.
Cons: The added protection will make this gaiter heavier than usual.
#4 TurtleSkin SnakeArmor Snake Gaiters (Very Lightweight)
- Sizes: 23” circumference around calves, 20” circumference around the ankle and is 16 inches long.
- Weight: 6 oz
These gaiters are ideal for those who want to wear something lightweight without compromising protection. This pair of gaiters only weighs around 6 oz, which is very light.
The material is made from a combination of polyester and ballistic fibers, making it almost impossible for a snake’s fangs to pass through. You also have to keep in mind that these gaiters are not cheap. If you want something that is both lightweight and snakeproof, then the price is well worth it.
(You should also keep in mind that these gaiters were tested on live rattlesnakes for their effectiveness)
These gaiters are also very stable and will not fall off. It makes use of a pull string at the top and three grommets at the bottom. Your shoelaces will be tied through your grommets that will prevent them from twisting to the side.
There are also many colors available that you can choose from. Some of the colors include khaki, camo, sage, and even a combination of different colors.
Cons: Expect to pay a high price for these gaiters.
How To Choose The Best Snake Gaiters?
In this section, I will discuss the features that you need to look for in snake-proof gaiters. The features involve layers, weight, stability, fit, and materials.
Added Layers & Panels
Sometimes one layer is not enough. If the snake’s fangs manage to penetrate the first layer, there will be another layer in place to protect your leg. Layers also make it easier to insert panels, which makes it almost impossible to penetrate.
Two of the gaiters that I reviewed also included layers, and usually, they were the ones that offered the best protection. Two of the examples include the Crackshot Guardz Gaiters and the V-Cheetong Snake Gaiters, which showed the best protection and the heaviest.
Both of these also used polyacrylic plastic shields and polypropylene panels.
They Should Not Be Too Heavy
There is sometimes a direct correlation between the weight of the gaiter and the protection that it offers. This correlation is due to the number of layers and the thickness of the material. The more layers the gaiter has, the heavier it will be.
The thickness can also attribute to the weight because the material is denser, which makes it heavier. When we talk about synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester, we need to consider the denier, which influences each synthetic strand’s thickness.
Some products, such as the TurtleSkin SnakeArmor, were the lightest gaiter (6 oz) and offered excellent protection. This product is also costly because it uses a combination of polyester and ballistic fibers, which are both lightweight and very strong.
The products that I have reviewed range from 6 oz up to 27 oz.
Adjustability & Comfort and Stability
You do not want your gaiter to fall off within the first 100 meters you plan to walk. You also do not want the gaiters to press too hard against the bridge of your foot or your knee. It is because of this why adjustability and comfort are critical.
Most of the gaiters will have 3 to 4 features that enable them to be adjusted and fitted accordingly. Some of them use buckles and velcro on the sides, which allows you to change the gaiter’s circumference. Some people have huge calves, and some like me do not even have any. This is why adjustability is essential.
Some gaiters make use of a foot strap that locks the gaiter to your foot so that it does not fall off. The strap makes the gaiter more stable on your foot. Some gaiters can also be fastened to one of your shoelaces for even more stability.
Sizing Options And How It Should Fit
Most of the gaiters will have only one sizing option available, while others have more. My #1 recommended product, the Crackshot Guardz Gaiters, has six different options available to choose from.
The length of these gaiters ranges from 13” up to 16”. The circumference can also differ when we have to compare the upper and lower calve regions. The circumference can range from 7” to 20“. It is essential to choose a gaiter where you can adjust the circumference according to your calves’ size.
Snakebite Strength
Snakebite strength can differ significantly among species. For example, the Rattlesnake has a bite strength of around 150 psi, which can vary according to the snake’s size and age. You also need to consider the strength of the fangs.
A snake can have a considerable biteforce but will not be able to penetrate the gaiter if the fang is going to break. For this, you need material or a combination of materials that will be strong enough to withstand this force and the strength of the fang.
Materials & Durability
The most common types of materials used are nylon and polyester. It is important to note that not all materials are made the same. For example, you get different types of polyester, which can be classified by their denier count. Denier is used to determining the thickness of each individual thread used to create the fabric.
So as a general rule of thumb, the higher the denier count, the stronger and more durable the material. For the purpose of snake gaiters, you do not want to go any lower than 300 deniers. Anything lower than that will need more layers for extra protection. Some of the gaiters that I have reviewed have up to 1000 denier, which is pretty thick.
Oxford fabric is also another name for something made from polyester. Another fabric that I should mention is ballistic fibers. It is a synthetic material used with high tensile strength and is used to make the material more durable and stronger. When added to gaiters, it can make them impenetrable for snakebites.
What makes ballistic fiber also suitable is that it is lightweight, and you do not need to add any panels when you have this infused into your material. Also, keep in mind that it can also be somewhat expensive.
FAQ
Q: What are snake gaiters?
It is a form of protection that covers your lower legs from your ankles up to your knees. It is worn over your pants to protect your legs against snakebites.
Q: Do snake gaiters work?
Snake gaiters do work, but you need to make sure that it is made from the right material and has sufficient layers to protect you from the penetrative power of a snakebite.
Q: When should you wear snake gaiters?
It should be worn when you are in a known snake-infested area of poisonous snakes.
Q: Can snakes bite through jeans?
The short answer is yes, but there is more. It all depends on the snake and how close the denim material is to your skin. Some snakes have very long fangs that will be able to penetrate denim. For instance, rattlesnakes have fangs that can reach up to 6”.
If the denim is also close to your skin, it might penetrate the skin. Denim can also help absorb some of the venoms, preventing it from entering your bloodstream.
Q: What pants should you wear for snakebites?
I would recommend going for pants that are made from the same materials as the gaiters. Pants that contains polyester is the right choice for adding another layer of defense. If you love hunting, then I would recommend reading through the best waterproof hunting pants.
I know that some people like to wear insulated hunting bibs over their pants that can also add an extra layer of protection. If you are more in the tactical hemisphere, you might want to learn more about tactical pants compatible with snake gaiters.
Q: Shoes for snakes?
The best types of shoes to use for preventing snakebites are going to be boots made from leather. A snakebite will very rarely penetrate leather, which an excellent material used for preventing snakebites. You should also wear boots that go above the ankle.
Q: Types of Snake Protection
There are two types of apparel that you can wear to protect yourself from snakebites. They include gaiters and chaps. Gaiters only protect the area from your ankle up to your knee, which is the most common area for a snake to strike.
Chaps cover the lower and the upper leg area. If you plan to go through a very high brush, then I would recommend wearing chaps.
Q: What are the best gaiters for hunting?
Gaiters for hunting will serve a different purpose than snake gaiters. Hunting gaiters are also good at preventing debris from falling into your shoes and will fit with most camo outfits.
This Gaiter Was The Best One
There are many problems you will encounter while trying to find snake-proof gaiters. The issues can include gaiters made from the wrong material, not having enough layers. Some gaiters are not stable or too heavy, etc.
My #1 recommended product was the Crackshot Guardz Gaiters that is relatively lightweight and is reinforced with panels that will protect you from a snakebite. These gaiters also have some features that will prevent them from falling off your legs.
With the information in this article, you will be able to choose the best snake gaiter for your needs.
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