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Running gaiters (or trail gaiters) might be small, but they pack a major punch when it comes to keeping sand, dirt, dust, pine needles, and even pebbles out of your running shoes. Similar in theory to beefier winter gaiters, running gaiters are lightweight, stretchy pieces of fabric that cover the tops of your running shoes and secure around your ankle. The gaiters hook to your shoe and often secure underneath as well, creating a barrier that prevents annoying trail debris from getting in, helping save your feet and the inside of your shoe from abrasion. They weigh just a few ounces and are usually made of a nylon/spandex blend.
The Best Running Gaiters
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Best Ultralight Pair
Dirty Girl Gaiters Running Gaiters
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What to Consider
Gaiter Intensity
As a rule, running gaiters are pretty straightforward, but within this category you can have a few options, depending on terrain and running preferences. The most simple gaiters are a piece of tubular, stretchy fabric that slides over your foot and secures to your shoe with a front hook or hook-and-loop in the back—sometime both. On the more technical side, you’ll have gaiters made of water-resistant material, those with full side closures for easy on-and-off, and models that feature greater adjustability. How deep you want to go depends on how much protection you need from trail debris or underbrush, and the longevity you’re looking for from your gear.
Closure
One of the main differences in gaiter styles is the closure. Some gaiters slide over your foot, and some are open, wrapping around your ankle with a full hook-and-loop or zipper side closure. The open gaiters can weigh a bit more, but they allow a more adjustable fit and are easier to get on and off. The gaiters that slide over your foot are more streamlined, and you won’t have to worry about getting dirt in the closure material, which compromises the effectiveness of the attachments. However, gaiters in this style can be a hassle to get on and off.
How We Selected
Running gaiters are fairly simple in terms of both design and materials, so we prioritized models with widely applicable uses and any special features. The main variations between models are their attachment points and design complexity, so we looked for gaiters with a wide range of weights, heights, and means/location of securing to your shoe. Some gaiters sit higher on the ankle, and some are best suited for wet or snowy trails. We also included styles at a variety of price points, and avoided models that don’t stay attached or require frequent adjustment.
For more great additions to your running wardrobe, check out our picks for the best arm sleeves, compression leg sleeves, and compression socks.
Pros
- Highly secure fit
- Durable
- Easy closure
Cons
- Ankle opening runs small, consider sizing up
Ultimate Direction prides itself on designing running gear by runners, for runners. Because of the intentional design and construction, the security, durability, and ease of closure puts these gaiters at the top of our list. These secure to your shoe with a durable instep strap that has several length options, a front hook, and a wide hook-and-loop band on the side that makes them easy to take on and off without messing with your shoes.
These fit a wide range of shoes, from more minimal trail shoes to the full-squish maximalist models. They stay secure through the ankle, and the Cordura is highly abrasion-resistant.
Key Specs
Material(s) | Cordura |
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Size(s) | Small, medium, large |
Colors | Black |
Pros
- Easy to take shoes on and off
- Great for hot runs/hikes
Cons
- Moderate durability
- Need to attach hook-and-loop to most non-Altra shoes
These lightweight, breathable gaiters weigh just 2.6 ounces per pair, and are designed to fit securely without an under-shoe strap as long as you have a gaiter trap in the back and a place to hook the front. This means you can take your shoes off/put them on without taking the gaiters off, though you’ll want to be sure of the back security since you don’t have a bottom strap.
Altra shoes are built with the gaiter trap (a hook-and-loop patch) to attach to, along with a lace ring in the front, but even if your shoes don’t have the hook-and-loop at the heel, the gaiters come with a spare—just be sure your shoes are clean before applying, or the adhesive won’t last.
Key Specs
Color(s) | Black |
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Material(s) | 82% nylon, 18% spandex |
Sizes | Small, large |
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Best Size Range
REI Co-op Swiftland Running Gaiters
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Best Size Range
REI Co-op Swiftland Running Gaiters
Pros
- Silicone grip
- Breathable
- Shock cord for easy adjustments
Cons
- No full-length closure, so you have to take your shoes off to get the gaiters off
The REI Swiftland Running Gaiters come in four different sizes, with a generous range of dimensions. The small size is 6.25 inches long, with a top (ankle) circumference of 7 inches, and the XL is 7 inches long with a top circumference of 9 inches.
They have a lace hook that links to a lace ring or the bottom lace row, plus an elastic cord that slides between the lugs on the outsole. A toggle cord along the bottom cinches shut, and a silicone grip ring on the top helps keep them in place.
Key Specs
Color(s) | Black, yellow |
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Material(s) | 76% polyester, 24% spandex |
Sizes | Small, medium, large, XL |
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Pros
- Easy to get on and off
- Adjustable fit
Cons
- Looks like a medical bandage
The Salomon Trail Gaiters come in a low model and high model. We like both, but the high model provides more protection from underbrush for a barely noticeable weight difference.
These gaiters are open, which means they wrap around your ankle and secure around the side with a hook-and-loop section instead of a tube that slides over your foot. This gives you loads of adjustment opportunities and means you can get the gaiters and your shoes on and off independent of one another.
The padded upper portion helps protect in underbrush, though we do wish there were more options for securing these to your shoes besides the under-shoe strap. More size options are available here.
Key Specs
Color(s) | Black with red |
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Material(s) | 78% nylon, 22% elastane |
Sizes | Small, medium, large |
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Best Ultralight Pair
Dirty Girl Gaiters Running Gaiters
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Best Ultralight Pair
Dirty Girl Gaiters Running Gaiters
Pros
- Fun patterns
- Wide sizes
- Ultralight
Cons
- Small attachment points
Dirty Girl Gaiters are an underground favorite amongst long-distance hikers and runners. These gaiters are inexpensive, simple, and have a wild variety of patterns from foxes to donuts to your standard range of solids.
We also love the size range, from XS (women’s 6-7) to “Dang” (Men’s 13.5+, with a calf circumference of up to 12.5 inches.) There’s something for everyone! These are some of the lightest gaiters on the market, and weigh less than 2 ounces per pair.
With this low weight comes smaller attachment points and no side-closure features, so keep that in mind when making your choice.
Key Specs
Color(s) | Anything you can imagine |
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Material(s) | Nylon, spandex |
Sizes | XS, Small, Medium, Large, XL, Dang |
Pros
- Full-length side zipper
- Abrasion-resistant
Cons
- Sole strap can be hard to open and close
Kahtoola is known for their traction devices, so they have a good understanding of rugged trails. Their series of running gaiters is super durable and abrasion-resistant, meaning they’ll protect your ankles from underbrush and keep the debris out of your shoes, no matter what the trail throws at you.
These have an easy-access full-length side zipper for easy removal, along with an instep strap and a front hook. These gaiters are 5 inches tall, which is shorter than others on the list, but Kahtoola offers the model in taller options, as well.
Key Specs
Color(s) | Green |
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Material(s) | Stretch-woven nylon |
Sizes | Small/medium, large/XL |
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Best for Casual Trails
Wapiti Designs Go-Long Gaiter
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Best for Casual Trails
Wapiti Designs Go-Long Gaiter
Pros
- Simple design and construction
- Fun patterns
Cons
- Not as abrasion-resistant as other models
Not everything has to be highly technical! These fun gaiters are ideal for a casual outing, and come in an eye-catching array of graphics. We love these for casual in-town trails or dusty after-work adventures.
The Wapiti Designs Go-Long Gaiters have a hook-and-loop patch in the back, come with an additional patch for your shoe, and have a small front hook similar to the Dirty Girl gaiters. These slide over your foot, and don’t have any side closures to keep clean or adjust.
They come in two sizes, with the S/M fitting women’s sizes 7-11 and men’s sizes 6-9, and the L/XL fitting women’s sizes 11.5-13, men’s sizes 9.5-13.
Key Specs
Color(s) | 7 fun graphics and patterns |
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Material(s) | Nylon, spandex |
Sizes | Small/medium, large/XL |
Pros
- Lightweight
- Water-resistant
- Durable
Cons
- Less breathable
These gaiters are made primarily of polyester, which makes them more water-resistant than others on this list. The top cuff acts as a sort of sock around your ankle, while the bottom part of the gaiter keeps splashing water off your shoes. The top clips can secure to the shoe itself, and the gaiters also come with a durable instep strap to secure around the bottom of the shoe.
The addition of nylon helps with softness and elasticity, but the bottoms of these won’t feel quite as soft or stretchy as other models.
Key Specs
Color(s) | Black |
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Material(s) | 90% polyester, 10% nylon |
Sizes | Small, medium, large |
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Best for Winter Conditions
Kahtoola LEVAgaiter Mid GTX
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Best for Winter Conditions
Kahtoola LEVAgaiter Mid GTX
Pros
- Waterproof
- Highly durable
Cons
- Need to be tightened to stay up around ankles
These gaiters are skirting the line between running gaiters and the more classic wintery, snow-protection models. But for runners getting out in cold, sloppy conditions, these will provide the protection you need. The full side zip is angled to prevent rubbing against your skin with each step, and also helps keep your socks dry when taking these on and off. The gaiters can tighten at the top with a shock cord, but they don’t stay up quite as well as more elastic models.
The Gore-Tex means the material is fully waterproof, but as always, snow and slush can still seep in from the top or bottom.
Key Specs
Color(s) | Gray |
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Material(s) | Polyurethane |
Sizes | Small, medium, large |
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Best Budget Option
TRIWONDER Waterproof Shoe Gaiters
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Best Budget Option
TRIWONDER Waterproof Shoe Gaiters
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy on-and-off
- Comparable to name brands
Cons
- Runs small
Similar in design to the Salomon Trail Gaiters, these offerings from Triwonder are built to be wrapped around your ankle and down around your shoe. From there, they fasten with a secure hook-and-loop closure. This makes them convenient for taking on and off, as well as highly adjustable. They have a wide instep strap and a reinforced lace hook, along with reinforced stitching around the edge of the gaiter itself.
These hold up nicely against the name-brand competition, but they are slightly shorter in circumference, so if you wear them with boots, consider sizing up.
Key Specs
Color(s) | Black with blue, teal, or red |
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Material(s) | Nylon, spandex |
Sizes | Small, medium, large, XL |
Maggie Slepian
Maggie Slepian is a full-time freelance writer in the outdoor industry and has tested gear professionally for almost ten years—she is an avid backpacker, trail runner, bikepacker, and horseback rider and has thru-hiked thousands of miles on the Appalachian, Colorado, and Ouachita trails, along with backcountry travel on terrain including coastal trails, the desert, and high alpine peaks. Maggie has written for New York Magazine, Huffington Post, REI, and Outside. She is a columnist with Backpacker Magazine and is the co-founder of BackpackingRoutes.com. Contact her at MaggieSlepian.com.