What To Look For
Ankle gaiters are a mini-version of full-leg gaiters. Think of them as a seal between the tops of your boots or shoes and your ankles. Ankle gaiters keep debris like snow, dust or gravel out of your shoes and boots when you're traveling light. Use them when you don't expect to encounter very deep debris. Ankle gaiters also help keep your socks up and pants legs down, providing extra protection against insects creeping into your clothes. If you're expecting to travel in deep sand, mud or snow, however, you need full-leg gaiters that offer more complete protection.
Common Pitfalls
Aside from the obvious problem of wearing a short ankle gaiter when you really need a full-leg gaiter, the most common pitfall with ankle gaiters is not having a product that's designed to endure the sort of conditions you expect to encounter. If you'll be walking in mud or snow, or expect to encounter rain, your ankle gaiters should be waterproof. If you plan to travel in very hot conditions, your gaiters should be breathable; this helps keep you cool and comfortable.
Another common pitfall is purchasing gaiters that don't fit. Most gaiters are sized; you need a size that produces the snuggest possible fit over your shoes or boots.
Where To Buy
Ankle gaiters are available anywhere that outdoor recreation gear is sold, including retailers like REI, Cabela's and Sierra Trading Post. You'll also find ankle gaiters in running stores or for sale directly from small, independent manufacturers like Dirty Girl Gaiters. Small manufacturers often offer competitive pricing. Your next best option for getting a good deal on ankle gaiters is to catch them on sale, out of season, from any large outdoor equipment retailer.
Cost
The cost of ankle gaiters varies depending on size, materials and extra features, such as a strap to tug the gaiter down over your footwear and the type of closures. As of August, 2010, expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $30 for ankle gaiters. Well-featured waterproof, windproof and breathable products may cost more.
Insider Tips
Try the gaiters on over the same footwear and socks you intend to wear them with when on the trail. Wear your hiking or running pants, too, or if you intend to use the ankle gaiters with shorts, make sure your legs are bare. This gives you the best read on whether or not the gaiters will fit as an effective part of your system. They should be snug, but not tight, when you try them on, and should not shift or leave gaps when you walk, run, kneel or squat in them.
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