Perks
Lightweight and water resistant, these trail gaiters keep sticks, mud, rocks, water and dirt out of your footwear. They are adjustable with one hand and have form-fitting interior elastic. Mountain Hardwear makes both a low and high trail gaiter, so you can choose a style based on the intensity of your recreation. The low gaiters are designed for jogging and light hiking; the high gaiters are for backcountry hiking in wet, rocky or brushy conditions.
Sacrifices
Extended use can wear holes in the insteps of the gaiters, requiring the purchase of a new pair. Depending on the shape of your shoe or boot, the gaiter's bootstrap can tend to position itself further to the rear of your footwear, where it is less effective.
Bottom Line
Mountain Hardwear's Trail Gaiters are a lightweight, affordable option for extending the life of your footwear and increasing your comfort on the trail. They handily resist water, mud and foreign objects from entering your footwear, giving you more time to focus on what is in front of you.
