Step up your stalking footwear

Back-to-back stalks over rough terrain present the perfect opportunity to compare top-of-the-range boots and gaiters

- CHRIS DALTON

When I welcome new guests to Garryloop, I’m always intrigued to discuss what they consider the essential kit for stalking. I ended up chatting to one recent visitor about footwear — and whether I prefer to stalk with high-leg boots or gaiters. While I have been using high-leg boots from Brandecosse recently, I have dabbled with gaiters in the past. In fact, having recently started to wear short boots for my summer stalking, I was already considering adding a pair of gaiters for those dewy early mornings.

Then my guest dropped the bombshell, “I saw a great-looking pair of gaiters for £200 the other day.” At first, I thought I had misheard. But I know that you get what you pay for, so I had to get my hands on some to really put them through their paces. With that in mind, a pair of these high-end leg protectors duly arrived in the form of Sitka Stormfront gaiters, retailing just shy of £200.

Solid arguments 

There are folk who love gaiters and those who don’t. There are solid arguments for both but in my mind your choice will be affected by the ground you stalk. In my case, a high-leg boot is preferable, but I have also been trialling a third option; a boot with an integrated gaiter. Enter the Crispi Highland boots (RRP £525). This is a medium boot, completely enclosed within a sealed gaiter.

So, to assess and evaluate both of these new products, I decided to stalk the same area over two consecutive mornings to see how they felt in terms of comfort, protection, support and value for money.