I have done a little hiking in snow in the past, and plan on do more this spring. I am curious as to the necessity of snow gaiters.
I recently have gotten better pants and boots for the snow, and in my test hikes (like 6 hours max) I don't see that gaiters would add much, my boots already stayed dry. My trips planned in the snow would be older, consolidated snow, not fresh power. My test hikes were in fresh power, but only like 10-12 inches deep before hitting solid ground, (which I would think is similar to consolidated snow many feet deep).
Gaiters are more for keeping stuff out of your shoes or boots, which is why most of them cover the laces and form kind of a loose seal over the shoes.
I'm guessing your boots are waterproof, with a gusseted tongue, which will keep out water and snow to a higher level than low shoes or boots with an unattached tongue. Check to see if your snow pants have an internal snow skirt or an under-foot string to attach to your boots.
Either way, if your snow pants are already making a seal and keeping snow out of your boots, then you're good.
Either way, if your snow pants are already making a seal and keeping snow out of your boots, then you're good.
Thanks, that is what I think. If I was trekking through a couple feet of power, I could see needing something more to help keep snow out, but I think what I have is adequate for the 6 inches or so of loose stuff I am expecting.
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