What gaiters would you choose for hunting in briars and other tough terrain?

I always wear long pants. Gaiters are needed only if you wear shorts. My feeling is that if you're into briars and thorns, your legs are going to get trashed. Hence, long pants.

Sorry I couldn't help you with a suggestion on the gaiters.

I wear gaiters with long pants all the time. Tuck pants legs in boots or long socks depending on weight of pants and height of the boots and then cover with the gaiters.

I've used TAG historically, but Courtney has some leather ones I'm going to try in 2020 because I think they might be quieter. I think my wife used a pair made by Boyt in 2017 if I recall. Courtney makes two types, one that ties and one with a zipper. I currently have the kind that tie, but I think the zippered would save time retying and will try to pick up a pair at DSC.

If using cloth gaiters, treat them with permethrin and they will keep you from picking up ticks as well. If nothing else, they'll keep the brush from untying your boots for you.

My wife and I used the Boyt gaiters this year in Mozambique. I recommend them. Light, quiet, and inexpensive. We treated them with permetherin. The PH wore nearly the exact same thing. The trackers were wearing pants, no gaiters. The game scout wore gaiters with pants. If I was wearing pants, I wouldn't wear gaiters, but that is just me.

Montana

Never use them, never saw the need and never missed them while not using them.

Trousers only for me!

I picked up an extra pair of the Boyt ones this year on Amazon. Lucky for me as the elastic finally gave out in one of my original gaiters after 14 years.

I used to use ex-British army puttees - pit of a pain to put on but comfortable to wear keep the seeds out and keep your legs from looking like a bad road map. I would guess the majority of clients these days do so little walking there is little need. Depends on the prevalence of waitabit though I suppose.

These days I wear heavy polycotton canvas/membrane knee length gaiters in the highlands - with good boots keeps your feet dry and warm - not really applicable in Africa....

Iv'e hunted 8 African countries and in '20 we'll be the 9th. I've always worn long pants and boots. For me there has never been an instance when I wished I'd used gaiters. With shorts and light hiking shoes I absolutely can see that they are needed.

Mark

agree with Mark.

I have every gaitor made and known to man from cloth to leather-from Africa, U.S. and Australia. In my opinion, the best for wear, price and material are the Boyt gaitors. I have hunted Africa on 15 Safaris, and mainly in shorts, and wear gaitors every day. For evening hunts, I have been in long pants, with cold weather gear, as it is usually cold during evening hunts, and thus no need for gaitors. I even use gaitors here in the U.S. for warm weather bird hunting in shorts.

Thanks to everyone for sharing your thoughts on gaiters. Very insightful and helpful.

David

Trousers and walking shoes.

Never wore gaiters.

I stop my shoe laces being undone while running all day by double tying them, then I pass the loose ends under the tied laces.

Never comes out.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Trousers and walking shoes.

Never wore gaiters.

I stop my shoe laces being undone while running all day by double tying them, then I pass the loose ends under the tied laces.

Never comes out.

I second that! I have always double tied my hunting shoe laces, even when hunting in rattle snake country, where I wear snake proof leggings,when bird hunting.
Never used gaiters in Africa!

……….........…...………. Mac

quote:

Originally posted by surefire7:
I always wear long pants. Gaiters are needed only if you wear shorts. My feeling is that if you're into briars and thorns, your legs are going to get trashed. Hence, long pants.

Sorry I couldn't help you with a suggestion on the gaiters.

+1 IMHO long pants are better