Gaiters are worn to protect shins from vines, thorns and branches that might be encountered in the forest. We carry gaiters from two makers, VJ and Treklite. Each company makes their different size gaiters with a consistent width to length ratio, so size is determined by length, which should match the distance from below the kneecap to the top of the foot. The VJ gaiters are a bit narrower than the Treklites. Most models have a zipper in the back, and have elastic fabric on the back to provide a snug fit. The zipper opens at the bottom to make it easier to pull the gaiters over the shoes, but does not open at the top, so even with the zipper, the gaiters may not fit over large shoes such as hiking boots.
VJ: VJ Pro Tech gaiters provide moderate protection that is adequate for most US venues, using a wide protective pad with a waffle-like appearance. They have a tab at the bottom with two holes through which the shoelaces can be tied, to keep the bottom of the gaiter down. The lengths of the VJ gaiters are:
X Small:
12"
Small: 12.5"
Medium: 14"
Large: 16"
They are available in navy or black, and have a zipper: Pro Tech Cat# 301 $36.00
Treklite: Treklite Thornzip gaiters have a long tab at the bottom with Velcro that fastens around the bottom of the shoelaces. They have two layers of padding in and open pocket, so that both can be removed for washing, or one can be removed for less weight. They provide more protection than the VJ's, but they are warmer. The lengths of the Treklite gaiters are:
Small: for leg length 10" - 12"
Medium: for leg length 12" - 14"
Large: for leg length 14" - 17"
They have a zipper, and are available in yellow, red, green, blue, and black. Thornzip Cat# 311 $36.00