Last updated on January 2nd, 2023 at 08:09 am
Muddy, sandy, and gravel-covered trails can be super fun to run but can wreak havoc on your feet. The longer you run on these terrains the more likely debris is to find its way inside your shoes. This can cause discomfort and blisters, which can slow you down. If you’re interested in avoiding this, you’re not alone. In this post, we go through the best trail running gaiters that keep debris out of your shoes.
The best gaiters create a firm seal around your lower leg to keep debris out, while also attaching easily to most trail running shoes.
Since not all gaiters are made to attach to all running shoes (oddly enough), and because some are designed for very specific purposes, we do our best in this post to guide you to the gaiters that will work best for your specific shoes and needs.
What Makes a Gaiter Good for Trail Running?
There are gaiters for all sorts of outdoor activities. For trail running, it is important that a gaiter holds the following attributes:
- Seals well around ankle or leg: Must create a seal that keeps most debris out.
- Can attach easily: Velcro, zipper, buttons, and strap are all acceptable as long as they are easy to work.
- Fits most shoes: Not all gaiters work with all shoes; our list compares those that do.
- Effective: Good gaiters work at keeping debris out.
Below we go through the gaiters that meet the above criteria, provide pictures, and compare them all in a table so you can see them side by side.
Our Favorite Gaiters for Trail Running Are...
After comparing a ton of gaiters for how well they seal, how easily they attach, and just how effective they are, a few rose to the top of our list. Here are our favorites:
Our Favorite: Ultimate Direction FK Gaiter
Second Favorites: Salomon’s Low Trail Gaiters OR Salomon’s High Trail Gaiters
We think the three gaiters mentioned above will work for most trail runners out there, but we also provide detail on WHY further on in this post.
With the above being said, there are some other awesome gaiters worth considering, and since not everyone has the same needs (or the same shoes), we highly recommend scrolling through the rest of this post to see some of the others that made our list.
Comparison Table of The 5 Best Gaiters for Trail Running
Every woman is different, and each shoe presented in this post provides its own set of benefits. To help you compare each of shoe against one another we’ve put together a comparison table below. However, you can quickly view more information here by following the links in this table to view more photos, styles, specs and current prices on amazon.
| Picture | Name / Link | Price |
|---|---|---|
 
|
Ultimate Direction FK Gaiter | $$ |
 
|
Salomon Trail Gaiters (Low) | $$ |
 
|
Salomon Trail Gaiters (High) | $$ |
 
|
Kahtoola INSTAgaiters (Low) | $ |
 
|
Kahtoola INSTAgaiters (Mid) | $ |
As you can see above, there are a variety of designs for trail running gaiters. Some are low-rise, some are higher up on your leg, and some seem much looser than others. If you are curious about how these design differences may impact effectiveness we go in more detail on each model below.
1. Ultimate Direction FK Gaiters
If you’re looking for a pair of gaiters that will work well, and be compatible with a variety of shoes, the Ultimate Direction FK Gaiters should be on your short list.
Easy to put on, and with a good seal around your leg they do everything a good gaiter should do (and more).
Hook & Loop Connection to Shoe is Secure
The Ultimate Direction FK Gaiters provide two points of attachment to your shoes. This can be very important as the terrain you are running on may want to push on the bottom connection strap.
With a strap that stretches beneath the midsole and a hook that attaches to your laces, these gaiters are less likely to move around and lose effectiveness.
RELATED: Best Running Shoes for Muddy Trails
This is an important attribute to have since a gaiter that moves around too much will provide spaces for debris to work their way into your shoe.
Adjustable and Replaceable Strap
This one is HUGE and often overlooked when runners are wanting to get a pair of gaiters. Just think of how much you beat your trail running shoes up… now imagine a fabric or plastic strap that runs directly underneath your feet. You are going to beat it up badly. Having a pair of gaiters with a replaceable strap is a good way to ensure you can use that pair of gaiters for a long time to come.
Velcro and Button for Easy Attachment
These gaiters use velcro and a button to connect together and create a seal to keep debris out. This is easy enough for most people to use, and while zippers seem like a great way to close the gaiter off, velcro is slightly less likely to fail over time.
A good connection to itself will help create a solid seal, which is what you need when trying to keep things out of your shoe.
Pros and Cons of the Ultimate Direction FK Gaiters
PROS
- Make a great seal
- Velcro attachment is EASY
- Replaceable strap
- Various connection points
- Available in multiple sizes
CONS
- More costly of options we compare
Who Will Love These Gaiters?
Gaiters can be a difficult item to get used to, and if you aren’t used to strapping them on, or the way they feel, they can be a bit frustrating. The Ultimate Direction FK Gaiters are great for anyone who hasn’t worn gaiters before, or for those wanting a pair of gaiters that will last a long time. With a replaceable strap and a comfortable lightweight construction these will be less noticeable than most and will stick with you for a long time. You can check out more pictures, specs, and current pricing on Amazon here: Ultimate Direction FK Gaiters.
2. Salomon Trail Gaiters (low-rise)
Possibly the most popular trail running gaiters on the market, the Salomon Low-Rise Gaiters are possibly the easiest to put on of all those we compare. They are also among the lowest-rise out there, which might help those not used to wearing gaiters, adapt to wearing them.
Very Easy To Put On Your Shoe
A big selling point for the Salomon Low-Rise Gaiters is that they are just very easy to work with. Just put your shoe on first, and you can easily press the gaiter around the backside of your foot and fit the strap to where it belongs.
Once in place, a simple velcro strap allows you to create a tight seal around your ankle/leg to keep debris out.
Unobtrusive Design is Easy to Get Used To
For those not accustomed to wearing gaiters this design is possibly best for you. Consider it an intro-gaiter that would be great for beginners.
The design of this gaiter might feel familiar to many because it hugs your ankle in a way similar to a standard ankle-brace. This might make getting used to wearing it a bit easier.
RELATED: Best GPS Watches For Trail Running
Wearing this gaiter feels like a light hug on the top of your foot and lower ankle. This unobtrusive design will allow you to focus on running instead of thinking about what’s on your foot.
Thick Durable Material
It becomes obvious when looking at this gaiter that the perimeter is sewn strongly. This is important when you take it in and out of muddy conditions. You will beat these up just like you beat your shoes up so it will be important that the construction is solid.
Pros and Cons of the Salomon Low-Rise Gaiters
PROS
- Inexpensive to other options
- Available in various sizes
- Velcro is easy to work with
- Comfortable design
CONS
- Strap is not replaceable
- Very low-rise
Who Will Like the Salomon Low Rise Gaiters?
Most trail runners could likely get behind these gaiters for the majority of their runs on loose terrain. While a low-rise gaiter, for most a low-rise gaiter will work just fine. The low-rise design also has comfort benefits that need to be taken into consideration.
The comfortable familiar feeling these gaiters have make them a natural choice for anyone using comfort as their primary differentiator. If you think these gaiters might work for the trails you encounter you can check out more pictures, specs, and current pricing on Amazon here: Salomon Gaiters (low-rise).
3. Salomon Trail Gaiters (High-Top)
If you like the design attributes of the Salomon Low-Rise Gaitors, but you want a little more protection the Salomon High-Top Gaiters might be just right for you.
Extend Above Ankle for Higher Protection
The biggest difference from this design and the design of its Low-Rise parter is just that: its a high-top.
The big benefit of a high-top gaiter is it will be less likely to ride down and create vulnerabilities to your defense against debris.
Because the seal around your leg is smaller than the bulge of your ankle joint it won’t slide down.
Very Easy To Put On
An elastic bottom strap (that is also thick), and a velcro top connection, you can easily pop these over the rear of your shoe and fasten in place.
These Gaiters Are Comfortable
Like the low-rise option from Salomon, these high-top gaiters hug the top of your ankle just like an elastic ankle-brace. This makes wearing these gaiters very easy to get used to, and generally a comfortable option.
Pros and Cons of the Salomon High-Top Gaiters
PROS
- Higher seal protection
- Easy to put on
- Comfortable design
- Various sizes available
CONS
- Strap is not replaceable
- Does not connect to laces
Who will Love the Salomon High-Top Gaiters
Trail runners seeking a comfortable gaiter that extends above the ankle will likely find these to be a good fit. Easy to put on, and with a variety of sizes available, these are a widely liked high-top option for trail runners needing to defend against difficult debris. You can browse the available sizes, and check out more pictures and specs on amazon here: Salomon Gaitors (High).
4. Kahtoola INSTAgaiters (low-rise)
If velcro isn’t your thing, the Low-Rise Kahtoola INSTAgaiters provide similar easy-to-use protection with zipper seal technology.
Zipper Seal Technology Is Easy To Use
As mentioned above, these gaiters aren’t sealed like many of the others on our list. Instead of employing velcro, a zipper runs from the bottom of the gaiter all the way up to the ankle. The asymmetrical zipper location will keep you from feeling it while your ankle flexes on the trail.
Friction is often a problem with zippers, but the Kahtoola INSTgaiters’ zipper has a fabric flap beneath it to prevent abrasive rubbing from the ribs of the zipper. This fabric flap makes us receptive to this sealing technology.
Ankle Drawstring Allows for Adjustability
Since gaiters grip around your ankle or leg, there is going to be some level of constriction. These gaiters have a drawstring around the ankle that allows you to adjust this level of constriction until its comfortable for you.
Just know that as you adjust the drawstring you will be impacting how tight a seal there is, and you will want some form of seal for the gaiters to do their job.
Round Understap Compatible With Tons of Shoes
Many gaiters have thick, or wide under-straps, but the INSTAgaiters come with a thin cylindrical shaped under-strap.
This round strap can fit around the mid-sole of almost any shoe, or grab hold of the space between treads where a shoe has a less than pronounced mid-sole.
Pros and Cons for the Kahtoola INSTAgaiters
PROS
- Adjustable seal around the ankle
- Round strap fits many shoes
- Easy to put on
- Water-resistant
- Strap and lace hook connection
CONS
- Zippers tend to fail over time
- Strap is not replaceable
Who Are The Kahtoola Low-Rise INSTAgaiters Ideal For?
This gaiter is great for any runners worried the seal will be annoyingly tight. With the drawstring on the ankle of these gaiters, simply tighten or loosen the seal until its perfect for you. It sounds like a small perk, but running with too tight of a seal can be a huge discomfort.
For those with smaller ankles, it might also make sense to have a drawstring so you can tighten the top of your gaiter to create the seal you were looking for.
Whether you are a lover of zippers or a runner with small ankles, the Kahtoola INSTAgaiters will help keep debris out of your shoes while allowing you to adjust for comfort. You can take a look at more pictures, specs, and current pricing on Amazon here: Kahtoola INSTAgaiters (low-rise).
5. Kahtoola INSTAgaiters (Mid)
Not much is different from the low-rise version of these, but the Mid-height Kahtoola INSTAgaiters provide a few more inches of protection. These additional inches could be what you are looking for if running on trails with very fine debris.
Same Zippered Seal With Drawstring
Just like its low-rise cousin, the Kahtoola INSTAgaiters mid-height gaiters are going to provide you with an easily sealed gaiter. The zipper runs from bottom to top, and since the gaiter is sealing further up on your leg it may be nice to have a drawstring to keep your calf from a super-tight squeeze.
Pros and Cons of the Asics Gel Excite 6
PROS
- A little more protection
- Water-resistant construction
- Very lightweight
- Packs down easily (even with its higher top)
CONS
- Zippers can fail over time
- Strap can’t be replaced
Who Will Love This Trail Running Gaiter?
If you are looking for a zippered gaiter that provides a bit higher protection, the Kahtoola INSTAgaiter Mids should be on your shortlist.
With an increased vertical construction, and a drawstring to help ensure debris stay out, this gaiter is worth considering. You can check out more pictures, specs, and occurring pricing on Amazon here: Kahtoola INSTAgaiter (Mid).
Before Picking Your Trail Running Gaiters
Before picking a pair of trail running gaiters it would be wise to ask yourself the three following questions:
- What type of terrain am I running?
- What type of gaiters will be compatible with my shoes?
- How tight a seal can I handle?
If you go through the practice of asking yourself the three questions above, you will likely have a decent direction as to the type of gaiters you need.
Often times the answers to the above will tell you whether you should seek out an option with a drawstring, or if compatibility with various shoes is most important.
Regardless of which option you choose (if any), hopefully, you can find a way to keep the debris out of your shoes. After all, you want to be able to enjoy your, not think about the pebbles gathering in your toe-box.
Image Credit: Michael Hodge | (https://www.flickr.com/photos/mhodge/) | Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) — reduced file size