Contributors to this thread:
Want to buy a set of Gaiters for hunting--- need to be quiet (very important) -- easy to put on take off over boots -- does not collect debris on the outer shell -stickers -seeds- stuff.
I’ve used Kenetrek and KUIU. I prefer KUIU, but both are high quality. Wouldn’t be without them!
I’ve abused OR crocs for 3 years. They look like they are brand new. They aren’t quiet but I have had no issues with that.
I have First Lite and Kuiu. I'd go with Kuiu for sure. They are a little noisy for bowhunting when you first get them, but they quiet down considerably when they get broken in.
I love my Kuiu gaiters. +1 on Griz's comment. Once you wear the Kuiu for awhile they quiet down considerably. I've not had any issue with them noise wise when stalking in close to mule deer or elk.
Gaiters are cool and all, used to always wear them. Now, I think the only time I'd wear them is if there was snow. Just an extra piece of gear that really isn't required (in my experience) for most situations, but surely see the benefit of using them while hiking in snow over your boot. Haven't worn them in a few years and I don't miss them, just one more thing to put on in the morning, adjust throughout the day and dry out at night.
I picked up a pair of the Sitkas for my wife and I no regrets. My wife wears hers religiously as chiggers and ticks love her.They have made a huge difference very well designed .Lewis
I have a pair of Kennetreks. (Got them free) I like them. The only time they make noise is immediately after I put them on. The Velcro will eventually settle in. I don't use the hook as it doesn't work for me. Just used them on a recent MD hunt. (Kind of) We had snow and it was melting on sagebrush. Didn't wear them and by the end of the day, my pants and socks were wet. (And I had them in my pack!) Wore them every day after and they were a godsend.
KUIU are very quiet. Wouldn't be without them in snow or wet grass. Can also cross a creek that would normally go over your boot and keep your feet dry.
Sitka Thunderhead GTX Gaiter are extremely quiet & waterproof. Sitka Ascent Gaiter is low-profile & light to keep weed seeds and sand out of your boots. Can't go wrong with either, depending on what your needs are.
I too have moved away from gaiters except in snow. Tall-sized pants solved my issues. But daughter wears the Ascent all the time because it's like the end of the world if a single weed seed starts her ankle itching.
We have a lot of wet tall grass, and would use them for elk hunting too. Thanks for all of your input.
Quiet gaiters are normally some kind of fleece or some such. Keep you dry but get wet themselves, heavy and take forever to dry out. Burr up pretty bad. I've had them and they have too many drawbacks for being quieter.
Really like the KUIUs as stated above. They break in and soften with use, not "quiet" but get quieter. I don't throw them on first off, but they live in my pack. Early morning dew burns off fast and I can handle, but rainy or even misty days and much grass around I love em.
IMO a good number of "leaky" boots can be blamed on wet pants wicking water down the socks and soaking the boot from the inside. Gaiters are a fix for that.
Nick, you've got a lot of experience up there with wet, when it's wet out do you just go right to rain pants, rubber boots or just plan on toughing out wet boots and feet to whatever degree?
TD, I find that I spend a lot of time in merino base layer pants with rain pants over, zipped open to ventilate a bit. Also, my feet don't mind spending days on end in a pair of Muck Boots, even if there is elevation to be gained and loss. Most often, while mountain hunting or bivying, I'll be in a pair of well treated leather hiking boots and that has served me well. There isn't much for grass of brush to get me wet once in the alpine. Gaiters just don't make the cut for me much anymore, but I can certainly see where they'd be welcomed, I've just learned to live without them.
For soggy, wet, muddy, snowy weather I wear Muck Boots anymore.
But I do have a pair of Kennetrek gaiters as well...