Hiking Boot Gaiters_v2

These lightweight gaiters are designed to keep rocks, stickers, seeds, and other debris out of your hiking boots. They are made to fit mid-height boots and work best on boots with padded collars at the top. I use these primarily for hiking in the deserts of the southwestern U.S., so I don't worry about waterproofing.

Materials

Fabric, two pieces 18 inch by 8 inch each

Rug gripper (also sold as drawer liner), two pieces 1-1/2 inch wide about 14 inch long

Round elastic cord, 1/16 inch diameter, two pieces 16 inch long

Round elastic cord, 1/8 inch diameter, two pieces 16 inch long

Four mini cord locks

Thread

Tools

Tape measure

Scissors

Marker

Sewing machine

Cut two pieces of fabric 18 inch by 8 inch each. I like using ripstop nylon for durability, 1.1 to 1.9 ounce per square yard is fine. But you can use almost any fabric for this project; even old pant legs, bed sheets, shower curtains, whatever you have on hand.

Hem long edges of each piece about 1/4 to 3/8 inch from edge, then hem the short edges.

Fold the short edges again and hem about 1/2 inch from edge. This second hem encloses the cut edge of the fabric to prevent the edge from becoming frayed.

Fold each corner at 45 degrees about 1 inch and stitch in place.

Fold top long edge about 1/2 inch and straight stitch along long edge to form a sleeve or tube for the elastic cord. Fold bottom edge about 1-1/2 inch and straight stitch along edge to form a sleeve for the bottom elastic cord.

Cut two pieces of rug gripper, 1-1/2 inch by 14 inch. Center on inside along bottom edge, stitch close to bottom edge using narrow zig zag stitch. You may need to reduce presser foot pressure. Be careful not to sew across ends of cord sleeve. Stitch close to the top edge of gripper using a wide zig zag stitch. The gripper may stretch some, trim off excess.

Fold the gaiter, gripper side out (inside out), so short edges are together. Straight stitch short edges together being careful not to stitch across the cord sleeves.

Turn gaiter right side out.

Cut two pieces of 1/16 inch diameter elastic cord, 16 inch long each. Singe cord ends in a flame to seal.

Use a small safety pin to thread the elastic cord through the sleeve at the top of each gaiter.

Pull the cord ends through a mini cord lock and tie an overhand knot at each cord end.

Cut two pieces of 1/8 inch diameter elastic cord, 16 inch long each. Singe cord ends in a flame to seal.

Use a small safety pin to thread the elastic cord through the sleeve at the bottom of each gaiter.

Pull the cord ends through a mini cord lock and tie an overhand knot at each cord end.

Put on socks. Then pull the gaiter on over your sock, gripper end down. Put on boots, lace, and tie. Pull gripper end down over the top of boot, tighten bottom elastic cord until it is snug. Pull top elastic draw cord ends to close the top edge around your leg above the top of the boot, just tight enough to keep the top closed around your leg.