Wet heather, dew-soaked grass and bramble-choked rides all find their way into the tops of your boots sooner or later. Once water gets in, the rest of the day is spent with cold, wet feet. Stalking gaiters close the gap between boot and trouser, keeping your lower legs dry, protected and quiet as you move through the kind of ground deer prefer.

Why Stalkers Wear Gaiters

Stalking rarely sticks to paths. You cross burns and bogs on the hill, push through bracken and nettles in woodland, and kneel or crawl on wet ground to get into position. Deer stalking gaiters shield your socks and trousers from water, mud and thorns, and they also help keep ticks off your legs in the warmer months. For hill stalkers in breeks, gaiters give the lower leg the weather protection of a welly while keeping the support and grip of a proper stalking boot.

Choosing the Right Pair

Height is the first decision. Full-length gaiters that reach just below the knee give the most protection in deep heather, snow and wet ground, while shorter ankle gaiters suit drier woodland stalking. Look for a waterproof, breathable fabric so your legs do not get clammy on the climb, and a tough lower section that resists abrasion. Check the closure, whether zip, popper or hook and loop, and make sure the underfoot strap is hard-wearing and easy to replace. A snug fit around the calf stops flapping and noise, and muted colours help them blend with the rest of your stalking kit. Our guide to gaiter features and types covers these points in more detail.

Trusted Brands and Matching Kit

We stock stalking gaiters from Harkila, Crispi and Bisley, all proven in rough British conditions. Gaiters work best over supportive stalking footwear, with warm, cushioned stalking socks underneath and hard-wearing stalking trousers above. For everything else you need on the hill, see our full deer stalking clothing and footwear range.

Getting the Most from Your Gaiters

Fit gaiters over your boots before you set off rather than at the first wet patch, and tighten the top so it sits snugly against your trousers or breeks. After a muddy day, rinse them off, check the underfoot strap for wear and let them dry naturally. Reproofing them occasionally keeps the fabric shedding water on long, wet walks over the hill.

Browse our stalking gaiters below and keep your feet dry and your mind on the stalk.