Australia is home to 100+ species of venomous snakes, including some of the world’s deadliest, such as the eastern brown, tiger snake, and coastal taipan. While bites are rare, they tend to happen when people accidentally step on or near snakes hidden in the undergrowth. In these situations, there isn’t an opportunity to take evasive action so leg protection is your best bet. Snake gaiters are designed to cover your lower legs where most snake bites occur and prevent the fangs from penetrating the fabric and, most importantly, your skin. Even if you never come across a snake on your adventures, snake gaiters also provide protection against spiky shrubs, sharp rocks, and insects—just like regular hiking gaiters. If you’re hiking through dense bush or tall grass, they shield your legs from all sorts of scratches, bites, and scuffs. They also prevent stones from getting in your boots.

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Choosing a pair of snake gaiters is a bit like buying a bike helmet. You want to know that they're going to perform in the worst case scenario, and you don't want them to be a hindrance the rest of the time. Here, we'll guide you through the materials and features to look for in a pair of snake gaiters to give you the best chance of protection in the outdoors.

Best Snake Gaiter Materials and Fabrics

Snake gaiters are only as good as the material they’re made from. To stop a snake's fangs from penetrating, you need something tough yet comfortable enough for extended wear. Please note, while snake gaiters may be made with the same fabrics as regular gaiters by name (canvas, nylon etc) the durability ratings for snake gaiters should be much higher.

• Canvas: Canvas is a popular material used in snake gaiters due to its durability, flexibility, and natural breathability. When reinforced, canvas provides excellent protection against sharp objects and snake bites, while allowing for comfortable movement. Canvas is also naturally water-resistant. Regular gaiters will use around 100D canvas, whereas snake gaiters should be closer to 500D with additional reinforcement. The Bushbuck Kayahan Snake X Gaiters use polyspun, dual bonded 600D canvas, which is extremely strong.

• Ballistic Nylon: One of the toughest fabrics available, ballistic nylon is perfect for withstanding punctures and abrasions. Used in some flak jackets, ballistic nylon should provide good protection against snake strikes.

• Cordura®: Known for its durability and flexibility, Cordura® nylon is a solid choice for those who need to keep moving swiftly through the bush, offering protection with freedom of movement. Again, make sure it’s at least 500D Cordura®. Cordura® is water-repellent.

• Kevlar: While Kevlar is incredibly strong, it's often overkill for snake gaiters. The trade-off in weight and flexibility makes the other fabrics better options.

Snake Gaiters Features to Look For

Not all snake gaiters are built the same, so it’s important to focus on certain features when choosing the right pair for you:

• Full Lower Leg Coverage: Snakes typically strike at the ankles or lower legs, so gaiters should provide coverage from your foot to just below the knee.

• Lightweight Design: Bulky gaiters can slow you down. You want snake gaiters to be lightweight, comfortable and tough so you can wear them all day without feeling weighed down.

• Adjustability: A good pair of gaiters will fit securely and comfortably with adjustable Velcro straps, lace hooks, and boot straps.

• Breathability: When you're trekking in hot, humid conditions, breathable gaiters make a huge difference. While durable fabrics don’t have the best breathability, canvas and nylon are generally safe bets.

• Water Resistance: Whether you’re crossing creeks or hiking through morning dew, water-resistant gaiters help keep your legs dry and comfortable. Look for gaiters that have water-resistance and are treated with a DWR for water-repellency.

• Bash Pads: Bash pads around the ankle area help to extend the life of your snake gaiters.

How Snake Gaiters Are Tested

To ensure snake gaiters offer the level of protection they claim, they undergo rigorous testing. These tests are designed to simulate snake strikes, which helps determine the gaiters' ability to withstand the force and sharpness of a snake’s fangs.

We can’t speak for all snake gaiters here, but these are the tests we ran with our Kayahan Snake X Gaiters.

• Professional Snake Handler: We worked with well-known Australian snake handler, Sean McCarthy, to independently test and assess the Bushbuck snake gaiters.

• Needle Test: Our snake gaiter sample material was wrapped around an inflated balloon and pricked (with force) with 25-gauge needles, which best represents snake fangs. These tests resulted in 0% fang penetration (or 100% resistance).

• Snake Test: Sean then repeated the test with multiple Australian snake species, including the Jungle Carpet Python, Olive Python, Coastal Carpet Python, Tiger Snake, Death Adder, and two Mulga snake species. These tests also resulted in 0% penetration.  

While these tests give us a lot of confidence in our snake gaiters, we can’t say they are “snake proof”. They are simply a sensible safety precaution.

While snake gaiters provide protection from snake bites, they are no replacement for common sense. Even with the best gear, it’s important to know how to reduce the risk of an encounter with a snake. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Watch Your Step: Always be aware of your surroundings and avoid stepping into areas you can’t see clearly, like tall grass or rocky outcrops. Snakes tend to hide in places where they feel safe, and stepping too close can startle them.

• Stay on Tracks: Stick to well-worn paths where possible. Venturing off into the bush increases your risk of running into a snake that hasn’t yet been disturbed by other hikers.

• Move Slowly: If you spot a snake, stay calm. Slowly back away and give it space. Most snakes aren’t interested in humans and will move off if they aren’t cornered or provoked.

• What to Do If You Get Bitten: If you’re bitten by a snake, stay calm and still. Apply a pressure bandage to the area (if you have one) and immobilise the limb. Call emergency services immediately and avoid moving around more than necessary.

Explore With Confidence 

If you’re exploring or working outdoors in Australia (or anywhere where there are snakes), snake gaiters are a no-brainer. They provide a valuable layer of protection from snake bites and other sharp objects in the wild. And while the risk of snake bites is fairly low, the consequences can be deadly so it’s best not to roll the dice.

Always remember that snake gaiters are just part of the safety equation. Stay alert, stick to paths, and exercise caution in snake territory. With the right gear and a good dose of common sense, you’ll be able to enjoy the outdoors safely and confidently, knowing you’ve got your legs—and your safety—covered.

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