Snake gaiters?

There is a picturesque bluff in the mountains above my home.  I want to hike up to it for some roped exploration, but I have seen a large rattlesnake a the base of the trail.  

Does anyone here wear snake gaiters on approach?

If so, do you have any product recommendations? 

Ass-less chaps to keep things interesting.

But in all reality have you just seen one snake and think specialty gaiters are necessary? It's your comfort level, so as much as i'm poking fun, get em' if it makes you feel better.
FWIW I have never ever heard of anyone wearing snake gaiters....but then again, I didnt know they were actually a thing.

Pensimani Lomani wrote:

There is a picturesque bluff in the mountains above my home.  I want to hike up to it for some roped exploration, but I have seen a large rattlesnake a the base of the trail.  

Does anyone here wear snake gaiters on approach?

If so, do you have any product recommendations? 

I've used them a lot in certain (obscure, trail-less) areas where snakes are common and hard to see. They're also great for thick brush as well, which is a bonus in those same environments. 

Don't have any brand recommendations... I think mine were just generic hunting snake-gaiters off the internet. 

Pensimani Lomani wrote:

There is a picturesque bluff in the mountains above my home.  I want to hike up to it for some roped exploration, but I have seen a large rattlesnake a the base of the trail.  

Does anyone here wear snake gaiters on approach?

If so, do you have any product recommendations? 

I don't necessarily use them for climbing approaches. I have used them for SAR during searches and as a tactical tracker as my employer issues them to us as part of our protective gear.

I purchased a pair as they were on sale for less than $40. I recommend checking a Cabela's or Bass Pro Shops as they occasionally will have them on sale, plus the tend to do larger volume of sales which means better deals.

Mr Rogers wrote:

Ass-less chaps to keep things interesting.

But in all reality have you just seen one snake and think specialty gaiters are necessary? It's your comfort level, so as much as i'm poking fun, get em' if it makes you feel better.
FWIW I have never ever heard of anyone wearing snake gaiters....but then again, I didnt know they were actually a thing.

All chaps are ass-less. Chaps with an ass are just called pants.

nbrown wrote:

I've used them a lot in certain (obscure, trail-less) areas where snakes are common and hard to see. They're also great for thick brush as well, which is a bonus in those same environments. 

Don't have any brand recommendations... I think mine were just generic hunting snake-gaiters off the internet. 

Did you ever get struck?

I've lived in snake country (wild Nevada) and we put up a bunch of routes at a cliff the local kids named Rattlesnake Hill. Several people encountered snakes on routes or in the cracks, but I never did, mostly I guess because I climbed there out of season and clodhopped around (made lots of noise).

Like this:

I haven't used them for climbing approaches, but I have used them for hunting in snake country.

The ones I have are Turtle Skin gaiters.  A bit stiff, but not too uncomfortable.  

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ITZDLC2?tag=hikinggearl0b-20&th=1&psc=1&geniuslink=true

Thank you all so much for your input.  I just didn't know if that was a common item for climbers.  Honestly, it seems like they'll be just as useful for the heavy brush in my situation, because according to All Trails reports, it sounds like the trail is heavily overgrown for a significant portion.

I just REALLY don't want to get bitten, so maybe I'll try them.

Could always just use a trekking pole to probe any suspect bushes/undergrowth in your path, the noise should scare them away and that way the pole gets bitten instead of your hand or foot

Kai Larson wrote:

The ones I have are Turtle Skin gaiters.  A bit stiff, but not too uncomfortable.  

I have seen those recommended before.  I haven't tried them.  The product page: snakeprotection.com/turtles…

James Arnold wrote:

Did you ever get struck?

I've lived in snake country (wild Nevada) and we put up a bunch of routes at a cliff the local kids named Rattlesnake Hill. Several people encountered snakes on routes or in the cracks, but I never did, mostly I guess because I climbed there out of season and clodhopped around (made lots of noise).

Like this:

No, I haven’t been bitten but I've had many (very) close encounters. Had a friend get bitten by a copperhead at Looking Glass Rock (NC) a few years ago. As he was walking out he almost got bitten again. That place is crazy with snakes sometimes. Even though I always thought about using snake gaiters back East, it wasn't until almost stepping on a rattlesnake in South St Vran Canyon, CO (very grassy "trails") that I finally pulled the trigger.

If you're exploring off the beaten areas in snake country, especially by yourself like I do, then it's a pretty smart investment. Just like a helmet, you won't ever need it... until you do.

As a paramedic I've had a number of snakebite patients, and it looks pretty damn painful to me.