Do I need gaiters for a South African hunt in September?

johnnyblues

johnnyblues

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Hello, I ll be going to South Africa in the month of September, probably mid month, will I need gaiters? Thanks
 
I always advice the use of gaitors, no matter what time of the year.
 
Point of the gaiters is to keep the grass seeds out of your boots (which can and will drive you insane!) In Septemper, you will be dealing with a lot of winter dried seeds. If I am wearing ankle boots (which I almost always do) I use gaiters whether I am wearing shorts or long pants. In bad tick country (farther north than your destination) I sometimes wear high top boots (combat height) and tuck the trousers which also serves to keep out the seeds.
 
I always wear gators with shorts. Trousers keep the seeds out of my socks/boots. IMO, it just depends on what you want to hunt in and the weather.

All the best.
 
Ticks, grass seeds, sand, sticks do not belong in your boots.

September has it all.

I have a low set and a high set.
If I am walking I wear them. Temperature and cover determine which set.
 
I've gotten to where I wear gaitors here in the states anytime I have on shorts now. I hate having junk in my boots.
 
If your up early and out of the truck, gaitors will also help (a little) towards preventing some of the morning dew soaking your boots and socks
 
I too am heading to SA in September. KZN to be exact. It is our first trip also and our PH has recommended sock protectors for the both of us. Does anybody have recommendations on brand or where to buy quality sock protectors/Gaiters that are appropriate for the region and season?

Johnnyblues, when are you arriving in Joberg? My wife and I will be arriving on the 11th
 
I have a set of the Boyt Shumbas and they work great. The heavy cotton canvas is durable and they snug down well on top of the boots.

I've compared them to some gaiters from REI - there's no comparison. For the rough world of SA the canvas gaiters just work better than gore-tex'ed nylon

As an aside, I use the gaiters with long pants too, wearing them over the socks/boots but under the pant leg. I've had issues with scree creeping up under a pant leg.
 
Need to make sure we are all on the same page. In North America, gators tend to be the ankle to knee affairs we wear to keep snow out of our boots. In Africa, almost without exception (Peter Flack being the exception in some of his videos), we are talking about ankle gators. And frankly, why would you not want to wear them? They aren't a problem, don't get in the way, and stop not only seeds, but, in my experience, ticks as well (assuming you have on long pants . . .).

I prefer the leather kind, with a snap and velcro sewn in. Seem pretty easy to find - my PH gave me a pair on our first trip and I've been using them ever since.
 
If you have em bring em, if you don't get some.
Just got a local SA nylon pair fir $25 . Well worth it.
Enjoy your Safari
 
Last edited by a moderator:
take em and do not look back.

As other have said, you will not be disappointed.
 
I was thinking of buying a WWII pair from the surplus store. Has the gaiter technology changed much since then? I haven't priced yet, but I'd reckon they wouldn't be more than ten bucks.
 
My little bid off advice, use them but also remeber, ticks do not only get into your boots, always check your body head to toe
every night after a day in the bush.
 
September the worst of the ticks should be finished but with this year's rain you never know but ankle gaitors are a must especially if you are going to hunt with shorts.
 
ArmyGrunt said:
I was thinking of buying a WWII pair from the surplus store. Has the gaiter technology changed much since then? I haven't priced yet, but I'd reckon they wouldn't be more than ten bucks.
Click to expand...

LOL. Unless you are using them with tucked long trousers or simply want to make a retro fashion statement, I don't believe I'd do that. Different sort of principle. Though made of canvas, the old military gaiter was designed more with mud and snow in mind than grass seeds. I have personally used the first two of these, and both work well. http://sportingwoodcreations.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=SWC&Category_Code=SACL200 http://www.texashuntco.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductID=22 http://prohunters.se/en/products/sa...COURTENEY-GAITERS?catalogId=103?productId=549
 
Could somebody please tell me how you call gaiters in afrikaans ?

I want my outfitter to have some ready for me and surprise him with my knowledge of languages :D
 
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