leg gaiters

[lili]

I'm planning on hiking the second part of the AZT (LF Ranch to southern end) this fall (October). Wondering if anyone recommends leg gaiters for/against snakes.
I hiked the northern part last fall and only saw one snake - in the GC. I usually hike in long light pants.

[CannondaleKid]

If/when I wear gaiters it's never about snakes, it's to protect me when hiking off-trail through thick and thorny brush.

In my opinion getting snake-bit is on the very low end of the danger spectrum. (As long as one is not an inebriated 18-24 year old male)
Personally I've had tons of rattlesnake encounters, I've unknowingly stepped over many, I've had one slide over my boot and one one occasion even stepped ON a rattlesnake yet have never felt in danger of being bitten.

What do I think is the biggest danger while hiking? Lightning

I'm sure someone in the HAZ community (or Joe) will correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe any registered HAZ member has ever been bitten by a rattlesnake, and there have been more than one struck by lightning.

If we're talking about dangers in general related to hiking at all, let's keep in mind the odds of getting into a car accident on the way to or from a hike is astronomically higher than danger from snakes, scorpions, spiders, mountain lions, bears, lightning, what have you...

[chumley]

Wondering if anyone recommends leg gaiters for/against snakes

Nope.

For wet grass or prickly things in your socks, some people may choose to wear gaiters.

[jonathanpatt]

Gaiters are great for keeping stones and seeds out of your shoes and socks. I don't use them for snakes.

[joebartels]

FB Chris wore snake gaiters about eight julian years ago
* that's f bomb, though he is heavily into FB
http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ID=131647#CID_24403

@Gummo has held hundreds, he's still alive

I wouldn't wear 'em, I've stepped on a couple without incident other than myself flying away quick. If they make you feel safer then wear 'em.

[Grasshopper]

Our Oregon_Hiker likes to wear Snake Gaiters for his remote, trail and off-trail hiking http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=577587 & http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=576794 ..I believe he is now on his second $-pricey-$ pair.

[Sredfield]

I used to wear the short ones routinely for all hiking, they do eliminate the rocks-in-the shoe issue, and snow in the rare occasion one hikes in snow.

[big_load]

gaiters: sometimes, to keep stuff out of my shoes
snake gaiters: never

[lili]

Thanks a lot everyone! I was not worried until a friend recommended gaiters. I am not used to snake country, and last year lightning/thunderstorms actually did make me quit the trail.

[DarthStiller]

@joebartels
I think that tarzan swinging' picture might have been the last tarzan swinging' time I wore tarzan swinging' snake gaiters.

I used to wear them all the time, now I hike in long pants, so that gives me the level of comfort I need. In a situation like that walking through tall grass, it's kind of nice. The biggest drawback is your feet end up sweaty and soaked.

[sandyfortner]

Agreed with all above comments. Running gaitors, such as Dirty Gurl, are WONDERFUL for keeping those little pebbles out of your shoe - and they will cause you way more concern than snakes!

[skatchkins]

I made my own

[imike]

For snakes... no. For wading through cacti... yes. Trail running light weight... yes

[FOTG]

@lili
Whatever decision you go with, just make sure you buy "gaiters" and not "crocs," similar animal, but totally different type of footwear/hiking accessory ;)

http://hikearizona.com/dex2/igallery/im ... hp?id=5216

[Tough_Boots]

@friendofThundergod

Boo!

[SuperstitionGuy]

On the other hand... http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ID=594826

[Norikiyo]

I know pants were mentioned above..but just want to check about it.

I am doing a late fall Sobo thru. I plan to mostly wear durable, long pants (have shorts for laundry and just backup) ..

Will pants do the job of gaiters?

[jonathanpatt]

If I'm going to be in an area with lots of grass or other plants with sharp or sticky seeds, I still wear low gaiters under my pants to keep those seeds from getting on or in my socks and shoes.

[Norikiyo]

If I'm going to be in an area with lots of grass or other plants with sharp or sticky seeds, I still wear low gaiters under my pants to keep those seeds from getting on or in my socks and shoes.

Fair enough. Might be a nice thing for first time thru hiker.

[Grasshopper]

If I'm going to be in an area with lots of grass or other plants with sharp or sticky seeds, I still wear low gaiters under my pants to keep those seeds from getting on or in my socks and shoes.

Fair enough. Might be a nice thing for first time thru hiker.

I personally wear light to medium material, low height gaiters on all my AZ on-trail & off-trail hikes for these reasons noted. Something else one needs to keep in mind on longer, rough terrain AZ hikes is that the gaiter straps or cord tie straps that attaches under the boots to securely hold the gaiters in place will eventually wear through under the boot area and break thus adding another maintenance issue to deal with to fix in the field. When the gaiter type with straps wear through and break it's a bigger problem to replace in the field.. just not easy to replace/fix. So, if one is planning on buying & wearing gaiters on a longer or an AZT through hike, I would recommend buying the cord type gaiters and one will also need extra cut to length line cord.

Also, an additional benefit of these type of gaiters seldom mentioned is: If one is wearing waterproof boots and at a water crossing, accidentally falls in water over the top of the boot, because the gaiters usually secure above the boot area, one will have a short period to quickly pull out of the water and often keep from having the water enter in the top of the boot ;)