training for an ultramarathon

La Sportiva’s waterproof and windproof winter gaiter is made from a light shell-like fabric that’s designed for mountain trails in colder and wetter conditions. It fits well, feels robust and does a great job of keeping out trail debris and some – but not all – of the water.

The full-length side zipper makes getting them on and off a doddle, while the drawstring closure on the leg cuff creates a secure fit. Though even in the large size, I found they were already quite snug and secure. The front hook clips on easily to laces or a built-in gaiter hook. That works well with a small silicone trim and a sole strap to keep everything in place when you get moving. I also love that La Sportiva put L and R tags where you can see them. However, the chord gaiter strap is a little thin. It’s easily replaceable but a durability concern.

I wore these gaiters to keep the Saharan sand out of my shoes for the Durable sole strap and they worked perfectly. They fix to your shoes with a velcro fastening system that’s easy to get on and off after a long day in the dunes. Crucially, they survived being taken on and off repeatedly without losing the velcro grip.

At 40g, they’re a bit heavier than regular gaiters but the double-layer stretch fabric creates a brilliant barrier against the sand. The elasticated cuffs also hold comfortably. I added a calf sleeve over the top to guarantee no unwanted sliding and add extra protection from sand. One other detail: the reinforced toes offer an important durability buffer against the inevitable accidental rock kicks that happen on tired legs.

The lightest, most minimal gaiters I had on test, Montane’s USP is a barely-there fit and feel. The thin, loose fabric virtually vanishes. If I was racing and wanted to balance protection with freedom to move fast and light, these would be on the list.

You make sacrifices for the weight savings, though. There’s no side zipper so you have to put them on before your shoes and take your shoes off if you want them off. The lightweight, thin fabric also isn’t as robust and durable as some alternatives.

When it comes to stay-put security, the gaiter hooks secure easily. The rear velcro tab (plus extra to stick to your shoes if you don’t have a gaiter trap) helps keep things locked in. But you’re missing some of the other fastening details. There’s no sole strap, no silicone grip and the leg cuffs aren’t adjustable.

On the move I sometimes found they had a habit of sliding down. Though they still did a good job of keeping debris out. Just don’t expect much protection from water.

There’s a brilliant simplicity to Inov8’s all terrain gaiter. It provides excellent protection for everything from dry and dusty to wet and muddy trails and is happy on short blasts or long haul adventures alike.

Comfort is king here with a knitted ankle cuff that rises high up the leg – a bit like the top of a crew sock – creating a great stay-put seal with loads of soft comfort. The water resistant fabric of the main shoe cover adds some extra protection against rain and puddles.

Fastening relies on a front gaiter hook and an optional rubber O-ring sole strap that’s a bit fiddly to put on but holds everything well once it’s in place. You will have to take your shoes off to get them on and off – there’s no side zipper – and they could use a rear fastening to prevent the occasional bit of riding up at the back if they happen to slip off your heels. But they disappear nicely when you’re moving and overall they’re a great versatile, good-value option that balances weight, protection, comfort and durability.

I feel like giving Kahtoola’s INSTAgaiter full marks for the name alone. But there’s plenty more to like here, beyond a good pun. You get super durable and abrasion-resistant, lightweight stretch-woven recycled nylon that offers excellent protection against debris. It’s also coated for added water repellency.

Easy access full-length side zippers make them easy to get on and off without removing your shoes. The zip is also positioned well away from your ankles. The adjustable leg cuffs create a good, secure fit and the toggle is happily much smaller toggle than you get on the La Sportiva. There’s a front gaiter hook and removable TPU sole loop for fastening. That sole strap is not only the most robust I tested but the clip-in adjustment set up is the best I saw of any gaiters on test.

The Salomon Trail Gaiters come in two lengths – with low and high cut legs. The RW test team liked both, but we’ve chosen the high model here as it provides more protection from underbrush for a barely noticeable weight difference.

They take a different approach to fit, swapping the popular tube design for an open setup that wraps around your ankle, securing on one side with a hook-and-loop section. It looks more complicated but it makes them highly adjustable. You can also take the gaiters – and your shoes – on and off independent of one another.

The padded upper portion helps protect in underbrush, and there’s a big, robust under-shoe strap that’s nicely durable. Though we’d like to have a front and rear fastenings to really boost the security.