My Pike Trail Snake Gaiters Fell Apart, So I Bought These Instead
Snake gaiters, or snake chaps as they are often called, are necessary when conducting fieldwork in California, particularly in the spring. I have owned several pairs over the years; some were ok, all of them eventually wore out, and none were worth buying again.
Of all the types I have used, the Pike Trail snake gaiters were by far the worst. Advertised as “super tough” and “quality tested,” I expected them to last at least one season, especially considering the price. Mine didn’t last three days.
The design sounded good and was well-marketed. Stainless steel buckles, 360-degree wrap-around protection, and a foot strap to keep the gaiters from twisting or riding up, an issue I had with a pair of Foreverlast Realtree snake gaiters I owned previously.
The foot straps were the first to break off, followed by a couple of the main buckle straps, and the steel buckles, though strong, jingled like spurs with each step. Thankfully I have finally found a pair that meets all of my requirements and are built to last. Skip to the bottom to find out which snake gaiter brand is my favorite.
The Best Snake Gaiters – 5 Criteria
#1 – They Protect Against Snake Bites
In my opinion, the best snake gaiters fulfill five criteria; the first and most important is that they protect against snake bites. This would seem obvious, but I have seen several people wearing basic hiking gaiters made of light-duty material designed to protect against brush and keep grass awns, water, or snow from getting into your boots, assuming they also protect against snakes.
Although basic gaiters would likely provide some protection, I specifically look for ones marketed as snake gaiters or include snake bite protection within the product description.
Gaiters don’t need to be titanium-lined Kevlar to protect against snake bites. In a 2009 study coauthored by my friend, Dr. William K. Hayes, at Loma Linda University, denim clothing alone reduced venom expenditure by 60% for small snakes and 66% for large snakes.
Most of the snake gaiters I have owned are made of a heavy-duty, tightly woven material, similar to Kevlar, lined with a flexible layer of plastic, and I am confident in their ability to protect against a snake bite.
#2 – Quality Built
The following three criteria are all equally important. Although assessing the quality when purchasing snake gaiters online is difficult, I try to zoom in on the photos or look for language in the description demonstrating that they are double-stitched or have reinforced stitching.
It doesn’t matter how strong the material or buckles are if the straps come apart in three uses.
#3 – 360 Degree Wrap Around
Another seemingly obvious but necessary feature is 360-degree protection. In several of my close encounters, I have unknowingly stepped over a rattlesnake, leaving my calf as the potential target for a defensive bite.
Most snake gaiters offer this; however, some rigid plastic stormtrooper-like snake guards are available that only protect the shin area and are, in my opinion, a waste of money.
#4 – They Stay in Place
Snake gaiters that twist sideways or ride up are uncomfortable and may leave a portion of your ankle or leg vulnerable to a bite. A foot strap is the best option for preventing this; however, rigid foot straps are bound to break off, no matter how reinforced.
The pair I now use offer a heavy-duty elastic foot stirrup that flexes with your foot as you walk, and there is no need to fumble with additional buckles.
#5 – They Don’t Collect Seeds
Many of the properties I access for work are owned by conservation-based land trusts or are managed under conservation easements where controlling the spread of invasive plants is a high priority.
I use a pick/brush tool to remove seeds from my boots, however, snake gaiters, particularly ones with multiple folds and velcro straps, readily collect burs and grass awns, and it is a massive pain in @$$ to remove them each time I enter or leave a property. The gaiters I own now only collect a few seeds here and there, and they are easy to remove.
My Favorite Snake Gaiters
A few months ago, I purchased a pair of Scentblocker snake gaiters, and I couldn’t be happier with how they fit and perform. The heavy-duty plastic buckles are attached with reinforced stitching, they offer 360-degree wrap-around protection, and the elastic stirrup strap keeps them in place perfectly.
Without folds, crevices, or velcro, they don’t collect many burs or seeds, and the seeds are easy to find and remove. I’m approximately 5’10” and purchased the regular-size gaiters. I have relatively short legs and didn’t want to risk the gaiters digging into the backs of my knees when walking or kneeling.
I’ve worn them almost daily for the last couple of months, and they don’t appear to have any weak points that may be susceptible to breaking or wearing prematurely. They are exactly what I was looking for, and I anticipate they will last for several seasons. I have already recommended them to my wife, who is also a wildlife biologist, and other friends and colleagues.
I purchased mine from Amazon, but they are available directly from blockeroutdoors.com and may also be available from outdoor outlets like Cabelas, Bass Pro Shops, or Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Side Note: A hiking pole is also a great tool to help prevent snake bites. On several occasions, my hiking pole, placed down slightly ahead of me, roused a snake, making it visible, and prevented me from stepping on it. I have several sets of hiking poles, but my Black Diamond pair with their SmashLock collapsible technology is my favorite. Avoid all Z-folding trekking poles.
Do you have a favorite pair of snake gaiters or ones you would not recommend? Please consider commenting below to share your experience.
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