snow gaiters

So i was thinking about getting some snow gaiters for the winter time, anyone have any suggestions where or what to get? (also should i get ankle or knee height?)

Thanks

Knee highs with front Velcro closure. I happen to use OR Crocs but their are others with these features.

My gaiters aren't winter specific and are just Cordura with velcro in the back with snaps and a tie at the top. Rick is right, get tall ones. I wouldn't bother with short gaiters in snow because the whole point is to keep your boottop and pant legs dry. Some winter gaiters have insulation in them like overboots to help keep your lower legs warm.

You could also look at something like Neo overboots.

Velcro anywhere is OK (I didn't know about rear closures). What I should have said is no zippers.

Full height, not the shorties, and look for ones with velcro in the front so once you adjust them for your boots you can simply open the front to step in and out of them.

I use MEC house brand goretex ones.

ankle gaiters are great with trailrunners in the summer, they can keep sticks and debris and stuff out of your shoes, but they are not the thing for winter.

I use short gaiters in summer and switch to the long ones when there starts to be a threat of snow. Ditto with footwear--it's trailrunners in summer, but back to boots by late October.

My main problem with the knee-high gaiters is that they don't come in my size, which would be a couple of inches shorter than most knee-high gaiters. I end up with a wad of gaiter behind my knee! I certainly wouldn't try to use the short gaiters in more than an inch or two of snow, though.

It depends on what you are doing. My Patagonia Mixmaster pants seal really well around my boot tops, so a length of shock cord is all I need most of the time.

For times when life isn't so easy, a pair of OR Crocodiles (or Expedition Crocs) is usually the solution.

If you climb in crampons a lot, I suggest smearing Seam Grip or something similar over the inside ankle area of the gaiter to add some durability. It will help keep any tears from getting worse if you do poke a hole. Also, ice and rock will wear out instep straps quickly, which is why I like using shock cord on my pants. It replaces quickly, for a dollar or two of cord.

My OR Crocs are still going strong after 8 years of skiing, snow shoeing and hiking. The instep strap is bombproof. Just don't let the velcro ice up when you take them off.

also i wear size 9 shoe what size you guys think i should get?

Not that I own stock in Cabela's or anything but I get their gear mainly for hunting and I've found their (camo) Gore-Tex knee high gaiters are great for all winter travel.

The Realtree Advantage leafy brown camo makes for conversation. ("Yeah, I use these when I hunt deer. I ain't no prissy vegan ya know!")Hee, hee
I'm a Democrat through and through but Lordy how I love to give PC folks heart attacks and fits of apoplexy.

I'd check on the website of the manufacturer. They should have some kind of guide on their. I think a 9 is probably a medium, but that's a guess. It's more about your lower leg size rather than just the size of your boot. Depends on the boot too. My gaiters work fine with my Garmont plastic ski boots and I think mine are mediums.

If you get an overboot like a Neos or one of the heavy duty insulated ones for climbing, then foot and boot size are important to match.

I say go for the long as well, but take them off if you start to sweat, I have had days snowshoeing with my gaiters I was the only one in my group whearing them and the only on with sweaty pant legs, so keep an eye on it.

just picked up my first pair!
My dad has had them for years and wears them primarily when we go plowing (nice when your standing in 2 feet of snow shoveling 60 somethin doors at a storage facility).
They're knee high ems gaitors with a front close (i'd have to call them belt style? leather with holes down the leather...like a belt haha)
And the best part about them is that they were free!
Gonna go try them out sometime soon when i get a chance to strap on the snow shoes and head through the woods.

One thing I forgot to mention, which may not make any difference snowshoeing depending what shoes you have, is that gaiters will protect your pant legs from being cut by the edges on your skis. With snowshoes, they may help prevent a puncture from the side crampons on something like MSR's that have points all along the side rails.

Rick-rear snaps are a PITA; the next pair I buy will be front opening. I also have an old pair of Chouinard over boots I found in a box in the trashroom in my building. Collector's items. I posted a pic of them maybe a year or so ago. Cumbersome to put on, but kind of neat. Very old school.

oooh Real leather gaiters! heavy but awesome!

You might want to check out a modern set, they're a lot lighter and you don't have to lace 'em up. usually velcro down the front.

upon further review...i'm an idiot haaha...they're velcro down the front, didn't realize til I used them plowing the other day, don't know where I got leather from, but as far as the gaitors go I love them!