Snake resistant gaiters

Ever been bitten by a snake? It’s super painful!!...according to Yahoo answers. I haven’t been bitten by a snake and I do want to keep it that way.

Given that the top two most venomous snakes are Aussies I reckon it’s worthwhile safeguarding yourself if you love the bush. I invested in a pair of Sea to Summit snake resistant gaiters when I got into doing some long bush walks. These things are just a bit of an insurance policy, another layer of protection between those fangs and my delicate porcelain skin.

I’m not really porcelain but if I were I may have saved the $70 I spent on the gaiters because we all know porcelain is a snakes cryptonite. Anyway... as with anything it’s no guarantee but it will assist, especially with our Eastern browns who have little fangs. We all know that it’s not the size that counts. This snake as venomous as it is will struggle to get enough penetration with these gaiters on.

Utilising a full length Velcro strip to secure them means you can leave your boots on when putting the gaiters on or taking them off or putting them on again. Aaaand a tough plastic loopy thing will sit in the arch of your boot and is assisted by a metal shoe lace loop to hold the gaiters in place. Security from the top is gained by a buckle for tightening them around your upper calf.

Let’s be honest, you may look a little like you should have your mobile phone clipped to your belt, a compass around your neck and a copy of Kevin Rudd’s rapping for beginners book tucked under your arm but who’s going to see you anyway? you’re out in the bush with nature, wallabies, kookaburras and ......oh okay..... the hoards of Instagram outdoor enthusiasts... So the bloke with the drone might laugh, the chick chasing waterfalls might giggle behind your back and those fellas loving nature by ripping up the forests in their fourbies will probably call you some derogatory name but hey who will be laughing when “ol’ bitey” shows up.

The view of the Gaiters from atop The Castle

In all seriousness though, in the heat of summer when the snakes attack, your secret weapon will be to drown them in your calf sweat. Yep apparently there is calf sweat. The gaiters aren’t super breathable but no air means no venom right!? I can’t tell you if they work against a snake bite but having stumbled into an ancient old barbed wire fence once.... they did save me from tetanus. The barb opened a small hole in them but it did its job and saved that scratch on my porcelain skin. I actually do recommend them contrary to what you might think by reading this.

Tip: Wear appropriate clothing to offer protection; hiking boots that cover the ankle, pants, gaiters and perhaps an ugly Christmas sweater to scare them off. Also carry with you a bandage for effective first aid.

The scary bits

What: Sea to Summit Quagmire snake resistant gaiters

Price: About $70

Material: 8 oz Corespun Canvas body,

Sizes: Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large

Where to purchase: Try your local reputable camping store, online at sites like WildEarth