Suggestions for UL Waterproof Gaitors?

There are plenty of good gators out there, but I don't think they will keep your feet waterproof, unless most of your shoe is waterproof. They will cover your ankles and much of the boot, though. Unfortunately, if you are wearing lighter weight trail runners, you are probably going to get your feet wet. One common approach is to simply live with it, with the understanding that your shoes will quickly get dry (when the sun finally comes out).

One idea I haven't tried is bike shoe covers. You would probably have to adapt them a bit, but it might be easier than starting from scratch. I think there are a lot of different ones out there, so it is probably best to stop off at a bike shop and browse around. If you find something that works, let everyone know (and I'll do the same).

with trail runners your feet are going to get wet if it rains, you ford a stream, you travel in wet snow or even a dew covered meadow- the beauty is they dry quickly and wet feet won't hurt you :)

gaiters are very useful though to keep debris (dirt, rocks, sticks, seeds, etc) and snow out of your shoes, but they don't need to be waterproof to do that

I have moved away from waterproof shoes and love it. They are way more breathable and they dry quickly under most conditions.
I don't think gators will help much with waterproofing but they have one benefit. I tuck my rain pants into them so they don't snag on brush.
If you are hiking in cold weather (or really muddy conditions) I'd suggest goretex socks.

I guess I should have said water-resistant. I'm not worried about sloshing knee deep in a creek and expecting my magical gaiters to save my shoes from getting wet. My real concern is blocking %90 of rain from hitting my shoes.

These would be for colder weather so breathability in my shoe choice would not necessarily be ideal, although I may need to experiment with the options.

So yea, rain blocking capability is what I need… and I feel I may be able to fashion something to do the job if there are no items marketed for this.

I've decided between the Vivobarfoot Neo Trails and the Altra Lone Peak to try as my cold weather camping shoes. I can't deal with the heel rise or constricted forefoot in traditional trail runners and backpacking shoes so I have very limited options.

Doesn't matter. In rain your feet will get wet too. Just try it once. You won't die and may discover you don't really care that much once you experience it.

If you're really worried, read the multiple articles on winter/shoulder season footwear. Lots of advice on how to keep your feet warm (if not always dry). I subscribe to using a thin neoprene sock (NRS Hydroskins) with a thin liner sock. Keeps my feet warm and cold and wet conditions (winter stream wading here in the desert, so constant 40dF water which is more chilling than most snow).

Someone pointed out that weight on feet is maybe 5 X worse than weight carried.

Most gaiters weigh many ounces, so if you multiple by 5 it's significant.

I think Dirty Girl gaiters are pretty light.

I make my own gaiters. Go above calf. DWR 1.1 oz/yd2 nylon. #3 zipper. 1 ounce per gaiter. Not very waterproof, but it's verticle so water tends to flow off. My socks stay pretty dry and virtually no water or dirt get into my boots.

I can shed some light, albeit limited, on the Altras since I just bought a pair and decided to take the Trailrunners In the Wilderness Challenge. So far I'm loving the roomy fit, especially in the toe box, and zero rise. They're definitely ruggedized feeling and lack the flimsiness of barefoot shoes. Rocks underfoot are no problem and I was surprised (and wasn't expecting much) by the efficacy of the rock guard sandwiched in the sole.

But more to the point of use in cooler temps; the breathability is, at least for me, going to necessitate some different sock choices. Last weekend during some 50-60* sunny afternoon strolling over several miles of the most brutal Texas Renaissance Festival terrain (read: a field) I had chilly toes while wearing my newly purchased merino blend (with acrylic) mid weight hiking socks. I'm going to need warmer socks for sure, and not necessarily thicker since the mesh body of the Altras is pretty stretchy and requires a substantial amount of tension on the laces to lock the shoe onto my foot for rougher terrain.

Additionally, I can attest to them being absolutely positively NOT at all water resistant even in damp grass. While I can appreciate that while some of these guys are 30 miles from the nearest road in BFE sharing a cigar with local woodland creatures, everyone in awe of the natural beauty laid out before them, that wet feet might well be offset by the awesomeness of the circumstances, BUT it's pretty godd@mn annoying to take the dog out at 1am to do his dog business and come back with cold wet toes. I'll be investigating the neoprene sock and gtx sock options for actual backpacking trips ASAP since even down here in the south, cooler weather is upon us.

Thanks everyone, very enlightening. I suppose I'm going to have to just layer up my merino socks and deal with wet feet, I'm not too worried about getting cold.

I'll probably try some DIY gaiters like Jerry said above.

Like I said, bike shoe covers are specifically designed for this. Not to cover boots, of course, but to cover bike shoes. Bike shoes and trail runners are quite similar. The only difference is that you will need to cut some extra space for the lugs (bike shoes only attach by the toe). That seems a lot easier than starting from scratch.

You might consider the alternative of waterproof socks (sealskinz, etc) or neoprene socks.

Regarding waterproof socks, I don't recommend them for a lot of hiking as they do not breath and will make your skin soft, susceptible to blisters and athletes foot.

They can get quite stinky.

They also don't dry very easily and are often perpetually wet in damp or cold weather because of the lack of breath-ability.

They do work well for off and on use, like for stream or snow crossings.

I just finished some MYOG waterproof/breathable gaiters. Here's a link to the thread. They came out to be 1.45oz each, and about 18" long. I'm sure a much shorter version wouldn't end up much over 1oz.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=69878

I agree Steven waterproof socks are not ideal. I would add you need to be careful in sizing because they can be constricting to your toes (not nearly as stretchy as regular socks).
I see waterproof socks as something you only use occasionally, for example…

1. Hiking through lots of mud and muck.

2. Short term hiking through really cold rain or snow.

Wet feet aren't too bad but feet that are wet and covered in mud are more problematic because that means you have grit rubbing your feet and getting into your socks (been there done that). Similarly in spring slush sweeting feet in waterproof socks might be better then cold wet feet (although so far I've prefered to just use thicker wool socks and bring dry ones for in camp).

Waterproof/resistant gaiters will keep your lower legs dryer, but the runoff will go right onto your shoes. I would use gaiters that match the shoes, in this case light breathable gaiters will dry fast. Dirty Girl gaiters would be my choice. This is summer or "3-season lite" stuff.

If you are taking on buckets of rain, mud and wet brush, it's time for light GTX mids, tall Paclite gaiters and 2.5 layer rain pants. (I'm feelin' November commin' on)

I wear gaiters – 1.1 oz/yd2 DWR nylon – I go through a lot of rain, wet brush, and melting snow – the gaiters get saturated – the socks underneath get a little damp but not wet enough for the water to go down into the boots

The nylon is verticle so the water tends to just run down the nylon to the bottom rather than going through to the socks

No need for GoreTex or other WPB

Just one person's experience

i wear shorty GTX gators from Loghouse designs in Fryburg ME. They keep out both scree and rain very effectively, and do breathe. They also zip on and off.
Alas, LD dicontinued them. Can't imagine why. Like the emerald green color.
A lot of similar products are black. Why on earth black on your feet when climbing scree in the sun above timberline? Just another example of top floor dictating to those in the trenches.