Just a quick thought on gaitors... I use them when bushwhacking on my new farm to clear fence lines... I love them since I have to traverse huge expanses of brambles/briars. The one thing I would change on them is the hook that catches your shoe/boot laces. Besides brambles, I've had to go through vines and other low lying brush. My OR gaitors hook points up through the laces. This just causes and extra place to get hung up on vines/brush. If you find that youre getting gaitors, I would highly suggest that you find a pair that hook down into the laces, or modify ones that hook upward... Granted, there may not be much area like what I have on the Trail, but if you ever take a side track for whatever reason, it might be worth it not to be hassled with hang ups.