Snowshoeing is a lot of fun, but sometimes the idea of snowshoeing, where you float leisurely over the top of the snow, is replaced by the reality, where you are kicking up snow and occasionally sinking in as well. To help keep the snow out of the tops of your boots or shoes, gaiters for snowshoeing are a great investment. They great a good seal around your boots, which sloughs off any snow that might otherwise go down your boots, which helps your feet to stay dry when you’re out snowshoeing.
Gaiters for Snowshoeing
Features you will likely want on gaiters for snowshoeing.- Length – Gaiters come in a few different lengths, from ankle gaiters all the way up to the gaiters that end just below your knee. And while ankle gaiters will be better than no gaiters, the upper calf gaiters will keep a lot more snow out of your boots than the ankle gaiters will.
- Waterproof – Depending on how dry the snow you are snowshoeing in is, waterproofing may not be much of a concern. But snow has a habit of sticking to boots and gaiters too, where your body heat melts it. So unless you want that water leaking through your gaiters, it’s a good idea to invest in waterproof gaiters.
Best Gaiters for Snowshoeing
Some of the better gaiters to take snowshoeing.- Mountain Hardwear Ascent Stretch Air Permeable Gaiters - The uppers and lowers of these gaiters are constructed with very durable and waterproof taslan and packcloth, which are variety of nylon. They're 16 inches high, which reaches to about the mid calf on the average person. A solid pair of gaiters with an attractive price, as compared to the other two below.
- Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters - Probably the most popular pair of gaiters on the market in just about any category. These are a combination of Gore Tex upper, which will keep you dry and also ventilated, and very tough cordura bottoms, to resist the wear and tear that you often experience on boots. These are another mid-calf gaiter, with a height of 16 inches. There's also a women's version.
- Rab Latok Extreme Gaiters - Something a little different from manufacturer Rab are the Latok gaiters. They're waterproof, but they use eVent for the uppers, a fabric similar to Gore Tex, but lighter. The ankle and boot portion are a more durable cordura, and beyond that they're much the same as any other pair of gaiters on this list. So another choice, and a good one if you're not a fan or Gore Tex, or are a fan of eVent.