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The best running gaiters to help keep the trail out of your shoes
Sticks, stones, sand or dirt — these gaiters are your defensive barrier against everything the trail throws at you
Running gaiters have one job: to keep unwanted debris out of your running shoes. That includes sand, dirt, dust, pine needles and even pebbles — all the nasties that can cause race-ending blisters. You might not encounter the conditions that warrant this extra protective barrier too often, but when you do – like taking on the Saharan sand at the Marathon des Sables or the gravel slopes of a testing mountain ultra – having a reliable gaiter lashed to your shoes is mission critical.
If you’re training for an ultramarathon that’ll send you into battle against sand, serious dust, gravel or general debris, a good pair of gaiters should be on your kit list just as much as a hydration pack or a set of running poles.
When I was hunting gaiters for the Marathon Des Sables back in 2015, I remember having no idea where to start. If you’ve never used them, it can be hard to work out what you need or find a pair that really work. But don’t fret. We’ve got you, literally, covered. Here’s everything you need to look for, along with our tried and tested top picks for the best gaiters you can buy right now.
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What to consider
Gaiters are actually quite simple. It’s basically a piece of tubular, stretchy fabric that slides over your foot and secures to your running shoes to keep out debris. But there are a number of different designs, ranging from lower-cut, lightweight minimal gaiters which are good for racing to higher-leg or full shoe covering options that afford a little more protection. Here are the key features to consider when choosing the best gaiter for your adventure.
Keep it covered
Some gaiters only cover the shoe opening, while others cover the entire shoe. If you need a more reliable barrier against fine dust and sand, go for the latter. If your main concern is small bits of debris sneaking into your shoe via the collar, the former is often lighter and more minimal.
Attachment issues
A gaiter needs to sit snuggly but securely on your leg above the ankle and attach securely to your shoes. Some gaiters use stretch fabric to grip the legs; others have velcro, zippers or snaps to close. Gaiters tend to attach to your running shoes via a series of hooks, with a front hook or hook-and-loop in the back – or sometimes both.
Some trail shoes (Altra is good for this) also have handy gaiter traps – a hook-and-loop patch – to make this easier. Some gaiters also have a strap that runs under the sole of the shoe. Full-shoe sand gaiters use velcro that’s glued to the shoe.
Protect and serve
The best gaiters balance protection and ventilation. Lightweight, breathable fabrics prevent overheating while keeping out dirt and small rocks. That’s good for hot and dry trails where you want airflow. Waterproof or water-resistant options beef up protection in wet conditions and muddy runs. But be warned: they can trap heat.
Marginal grains
Top tip: for the very best sand-barrier, the full shoe gaiter with velcro/glue combination is the way to go. The security is better than the hooks and the bigger barrier stops grains getting through your shoe uppers. But to be 100% sure the velcro doesn’t come unglued in harsher conditions, send your gaiters to a cobbler to get your velcro stitched and glued onto your shoe.
How we selected
I’m a 59-time marathon runner with more than 20 ultras under my belt. I also survived the Marathon des Sables, finishing in the top 100 – with virtually no blisters.
To bring you the best gaiters, for this test, I tried a selection of the latest options from a range of brands. I focused on how easy it was to put the gaiters on and off, the security of the fastenings, the fit and feel on the move and the durability. I also hit the dirtiest, dustiest, gravel-strewn terrain I could find, to see how impenetrable they proved. I also called on the expertise of the RW US test team – who regularly battle more extreme trails than we might find in Southern England.
The best running gaiters, tried and tested
Pros
- Drawstring leg cuffs for flexible fit
- Zippered for easy on/off
- Good water barrier
Cons
- Very thin gaiter strap
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.
| Weight | 32g |
|---|---|
| Material | Polyester |
| Sizes | Small/Medium, Medium/Large |
Pros
- Reinforced toe
- Full shoe coverage
- Secure velcro fastening
Cons
- A bit heavy
I wore these gaiters to keep the Saharan sand out of my shoes for the Marathon des Sables 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.
| Weight | 40g |
|---|---|
| Material | 77% Polyamide; 13% Elastane; 10% Recycled polyester |
| Sizes | Small/medium, medium/large |
Pros
- Very lightweight
- Super soft, stretch fabric
- Rear shoe velcro tab included
Cons
- No easy-on side zipper
- No adjustable leg cuff
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.
| Weight | 35g |
|---|---|
| Material | 88% Polyester, 12% Elastane |
| Sizes | Small/medium, medium/large |
Pros
- Super secure sock-like leg cuffs
- Light and durable
- Water resistant
Cons
- No rear fastening
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.
| Weight | 38g |
|---|---|
| Material | Polyester, Polyamide |
| Sizes | Small, medium and large |
Pros
- Added water repellency
- Easy on/off
- Very durable
Cons
- Heavier than rivals
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.
| Weight | 56g |
|---|---|
| Material | 84% Stretch-Woven Recycled Nylon / 16% polyurethane |
| Sizes | Extra small, small/medium, medium/large |
Pros
- Easy on and off
- Adjustable fit
- Durable sole strap
Cons
- Quite heavy
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.
| Weight | 80g |
|---|---|
| Material | 78% nylon, 22% elastane |
| Sizes | Small, medium, large |
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