Crackshot Men's Snake Bite Proof Guardz Gaiters

I got these so I could walk into the woods to my hunting spot and not have to worry as much where I step. Copperheads have great camo and don't warn you like rattlesnakes. I'm only giving this 4 stars rather than 5 because they caused my legs to sweat profusely. I didn't feel it but when I took them off my jeans were soaked. They're great if you are just using them temporarily, like for less than an hour or two, but if you need all day protection you should look into snake boots instead. There are a few gaps between the plastic (it's not very big, maybe 2-3 millimeters) because it's the only way to have them wrap around and still give movement but I doubt snake fangs could get through the material easily.

These are really good. I would suggest though adding a snap lock strap to go from either side bottom between the heel and the sole to keep these gaiters from riding up - you do not want to expose your lower foot - right?

I'm not a large fellow (5' 5", 145, 31 x 30, small or medium in most clothes), but I used to backpack a lot and I still spin and hike so I guess I have big calves! Anyways I got these because archaeological survey work often has me going off into the weeds in pursuit of utility poles, easements, and other stuff, and the snake population is really booming this season. The large size fits comfortably around my lower legs with a good overlap at the back. If you're between sizes, I'd definitely recommend sizing up. Remember, because of the relatively straight-sided fang-resistant inserts, they don't wrap around your leg like a piece of fabric or tape measure would, there are definite facets that leave small gaps between you and the "Guardz" where two panels come together.I bought from Outdoor Products LLC (you may need to scroll down to find this seller) out of Bishop, Texas. I bought from them because they had a 99% rating, and because they seemed to specialize in snake protection gear. With an easily counterfeited product like this I think it's important to buy the seller first! Don't want to be out in the middle of nowhere with a rattlesnake hanging off my leg and just then finding out I'd bought a fake.I bought these Crackshots because they were the only snake leggings I could find that had reviews from people who'd actually been struck while wearing them and walked away unfanged. (Search reviews for the word "struck.") Again, I don't want to be some manufacturer's beta tester.Outdoor Products LLC shipped super fast; I received the product via Priority Mail in California four days *before* the Amazon estimate of delivery. I'd highly recommend them!As to the product, it just arrived so I can't say I've snake-tested it and honestly don't ever want to (if I do, you betcha I'll be back to update). But I did wear them a bit around the house. They're amazingly lightweight and comfortable, and come up to below my knees so it's easy to move around. I can walk, trot, run, jump, whatever. I can't do a full low crouch, though, without the backs of the guards digging into the backs of my knees (what is that place called, the crook? the kneepit?). But, (a) I'm short, and (b) I bought them for walking purposefully from point to point, not crouching low doing the sneak sneak. If I wanted to hunt in them, I'd probably want them lower at the back. For my use, though, the higher the better, I'd imagine.I bought them in olive green to match my work pants, but I considered khaki or blaze orange so I'd be able to spot ticks on them better. Style won out there.

They fit great and feel like they will do the job. The buckles are nice quality pieces and they are fairly comfortable while walking around. I hope I will never find out if they work.

According to their chart I was between sizes, M vs L, so I got the L to be safe. When I got them they did have a lot of overlap, but most specifically the top of them hits the bottom of my kneecap which I could see being a problem, especially out hiking. I called the customer service line & after speaking with the rep, she suggested I should actually get a Small, and that the S size was 2 inches shorter than the M & L sizes. I returned the L size & ordered a S instead.... When they arrived I discovered they are the same height in the front, bumping my kneecap with the hard edge of the top of the gaiters still, and are only 2 inches shorter in the back. If there was some way to pull them down & attach them to your boots/shoes to keep them from riding up on my knee & also prevent them from spinning to the side they might fit better, but I don't know. The S also barely goes around my boot at the bottom, although with other shoes it closes/overlaps enough. But with sneakers there is an area of your ankle left exposed. I really wish they fit properly because I live in rattlesnake country & would love to have protection while out hiking, etc. These do seem super sturdy & I would feel confident wearing them if I could get a proper fit.

I volunteer at a nearby wildlife refuge and yes, there are venomous snakes about. The two most common venomous snakes here are Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes and Copperheads.Some of the tasks I volunteer for require me to get on trails and sometimes with tall grass. I always pay attention to where I walk and having these gaiters on gives me reassurance that if a snake is close enough to strike at me - I have protection.I've tried gaiters from other companies and not happy with them. One pair required stepping into a elastic band and then strapping the gaiters on. With my boots on and stepping into them one time, the elastic band snapped off. Another pair, no matter how tightly I strapped them on, would shift on my legs. Because there is a flap that goes over the shoe, when it shifted, that flap make it awkward to walk.With this pair of gaiters, I don't have those problems. There is no elastic band to have to step into and the gaiters do not shift on my legs, even after walking/hiking miles with them on.I hope to never have to find out how good they are should a venomous snake strike at me, but feeling the kevlar in these gaiters, I feel confident they will protect me should a snake strike at me.Highly recommended!