The best gaiters for walked-up shooting

Gaiters for shooting are essential, particularly if you’re walked-up shooting on moorland.

Why you need the best gaiters for shooting

Wear gaiters with your breeks and shooting socks to protect your legs from ticks, as well as mud, scratches from rough heather and brambles. You’ll also be able to stride through streams without getting wet feet (and you can’t wear wellies when walked-up shooting, as experienced Guns know. Because it’s a sure fire way to sprain an ankle walking through uneven terrain).  (Read our list of the best shooting breeks.)

Gaiters will protect your legs from ticks

Gaiters should be worn with comfortable shooting boots to give your ankles and feet good support and grip. Look around the field and you’ll see all the experienced Guns with a pair of gaiters at the ready. They’re also useful to wear when you’re not out in the field. When you’re training gundogs, walking through long grass or gardening. Lyme disease is becoming more and more prevalent in the UK, and gaiters will help to stop ticks reaching your skin and transmitting the disease. (Read what you need to know about ticks and Lyme disease.)

Shooting Times contributor Graham Downing advises: “Walked-up grouse is for me the best shooting of all, and I have hunted grouse this way in Scotland for nearly 50 years. To my mind the finest sport is to be had in rough country in the Highlands, where the walking is tough and you have to be fit and keep alert to the dogs working in front of you. The scenery that unfolds at every footstep is breathtaking and on a fine day in mid-August there’s absolutely no better place to be.

“Gaiters are an essential piece of kit to protect your lower legs against the rough heather stems and to keep the seeds and debris out of your boots. A well-fitting pair of gaiters will help keep your feet dry and comfortable. The thickest heavy duty waxed cotton works well for me, and I like a zip down the front which is protected by a studded flap. Do make sure the strap which passes under your boot is tough and fits securely – this is usually the part of the gaiter which wears out first. Also, when buying your gaiters make sure they are sized correctly to fit over your boots, remembering that when hunting in hill country, you’ll want to wear ‘high leg’ boots which provide the maximum amount of ankle support.”

Gaiters are key for walked-up shooting

Checklist for gaiters for shooting

• Choose hardwearing, breathable and lightweight fabrics. Gaiters need to be able to stand up to daily use throughout the season – reinforced ankle areas are recommended.
• Ease of wearing. Look for pairs that are easy to put on and take off – but which stay in place when you need them to.
• Sizing. If you’re tall you might find some gaiters come up a bit tight. If you’re shorter, make sure they don’t ‘bag’ around the ankle. Best to try a few pairs on at a game fair.
• A sturdy zip in the front covered by a flap is a good idea, with the flap secured by studs.
• They need to ‘hug’ your boots at the bottom, for maximum waterproofing.
• Some are available in men’s and ladies’ options.
• The strap that fits under your boots needs to be sturdy and longlasting.
• The hook that clips the gaiters onto your boot’s laces needs to be up to the job and not slip off.
• Finally, if you’re stalking, you need to consider noise. You don’t want anything that will rustle in the bushes.

Choose hardwearing, breathable and lightweight fabrics for gaites

Here are some recommendations for gaiters for shooting from gillies and contributors to Shooting Times and Sporting Gun, who’ve road tested a fair few in their time.

1. Bisley Wax Gaiters Green One Size Green Other Hiking Clothing (27362) £27.94

Best for price

• Colour: Olive green
• Fastening: Zip and clip on laces
• Adjustable: Shoelace draw cord around calves
• Material: Thick wax canvas
• Size: Standard
• Strap under boot: No

+ Strong

+ Lightweight

-Not silent

Tear-resistant gaiters made from a waterproof waxed material, ideal for moving through heavy foliage.

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Trainee keeper Fraser is a fan of Outdoor Research gaiters

2. Outdoor Research Men’s Rocky Mountain Low Gaiters Rocky Mountain Low Gaiters £52.00

Best for all-round use

A brand that is being put through its paces, literally, is Outdoor Research. Trainee keeper Fraser has had his a couple of years and definitely rates them.

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Best for packing

• Colour: Green
• Fastening: Centre back zip with Velcro placket covering
• Adjustable: Calf
• Material: Polyester with check lining and zipped size pockets
• Size: Standard
• Strap under boot: Under boot wire

+ Elasticated top and bottom

+ Comes with fabric carry pouch

The Chorley gaiter packs away into a fabric carry pouch. It is is elasticated for comfort, features a centre back zip with a Velcro secured placket covering, an adjustable calf, a boot lace hook and an under boot wired strap.

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4. JACK PYKE Waterproof Gaiters Green £25.95

Best for all-round value

• Colour: Green
• Fastening: Zip, velcro and press stud
• Adjustable: Easy adjust buckle and lace cleat
• Material: Breatha-tex 100% polyester laminated Oxford fabric
• Size: Standard
• Strap under boot: Under boot wire

+ Tear resistant

+ Elasticated top and bottom

-Bottom popper can pop open

Waterproof and breathable, these make our best gaiters for shooting list because we think they are excellent value. They’re also easy to clean.

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5. Barbour Wax Cotton Gaiters £35.95

Best for gorse and thorns

• Colour: Olive
• Fastening: Stud
• Adjustable: Drawcord
• Material: Heavy wax cotton
• Size: Medium/Large
• Strap under boot: Yes

+ Replaceable webbing underfoot strap and drawcord

+ Waterproof in damp conditions

-Not 100% waterproof

Created from the famous Barbour heavyweight waxed cotton, these knee-length boot gaiters will keep you dryer and more comfortable when it’s rainy and muddy. They are good for wading through streams or walking amongst thorny bushes.

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6. Seeland Buckthorn Gaiters £39.65

Best for heavy rain

• Colour: Shaded olive
• Fastening: Button with Velcro and zip closure
• Adjustable: Yes, elasticated draw cord at top
• Material: Waterproof Seetex
• Size: Standard
• Strap under boot: Yes

+ Strong

+ Lightweight

-One size

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Best for all weather and terrain

9. FJÄLLRÄVEN Singi Gaiters – Men’s, Men, Singi Gaiters £69.99

Best for sizing

• Colour: Dark olive
• Fastening: Zip with draw string and poppers
• Adjustable:
• Material: G-1000 and G-1000 Heavy Duty
• Size: Small-medium, large-extra large
• Strap under boot: Yes

+ Robust

+ Water resistant and breathable

-Price

This is a brand we keep hearing good things about. The length of these gaiters can be adjusted to suit the length of the boots being worn with the adjustment strap.  They are easy to put on, well made and don’t ride up.

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10. Laksen Trailtracker Gaiters £65

Best for waterproof qualities

• Colour: Olive
• Fastening: Zip
• Adjustable: Yes
• Material: Micro polyester
• Size: Standard
• Strap under boot: Yes

+ Fully waterproof

+ Hardwearing

– Price