Pike Trail Ultralight Compact Outdoor Camping Tailgate Festival Beach Chair
Pike Trail Water Resistance Seamless Gloves
Pike Trail Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles – Lightweight, Adjustable Hiking Poles for Every Adventure
Extra Thick and Wear Resisting Rubber Tips for Trekking Poles, Hiking Sticks, Hiking Poles and Nordic Walking Poles
Pike Trail Mid Length Gaiters Small/Medium Adjustable Fit
Our Mission
To create bulletproof handcrafted outdoor gear responsibly. Bringing back USA manufacturing jobs by employing seamstress artisans in our local community of Columbia, MO.
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Don't Just Take Our Word For It
Stephanie Lindhjem
Perfect for traveling. I purchased this chair to take on a beach vacation. I needed it to fit into a backpack, and this chair does that perfectly. Easy to set up and take apart, comfortable, and sturdy.
Mike
They Work as Advertised! A friend lent these to me for a trip I took through Death Valley. Unfortunately as I was jogging up the trail, a rattler was just behind a rock where I couldn't see it. It lunged as I came upon it, bit into the gaiter and its fangs got stuck. As it was squirming, I pulled out my knife that I always have holstered on my thigh pack. I grabbed it by the tail and cut off it's head. Crazy experience. So glad I had these!
Peter Stoll
Amazing gaiters with unique design. These are the easiest gaiters to put on and best protection I have experienced. Lightweight, waterproof and easy to pack with you. Quality stainless fasteners, heavy duty velcro to secure leg wrap and lightweight. highly recommend!!
Verified Amazon Customer
They worked in a downpour after my real socks got soaked. I took these along on a trip bc my barefoot shoes aren't waterproof at all. Sure enough, I got caught in a downpour--my socks soaked--I swapped to these and they kept my feet dry the rest of the day. Well worth the price to have dry feet!
Chrissi Deutsch
I got these for some Fl hiking 🥾. I’ve been thinking about getting a pair when I saw these advertised on FB. [I] got them...[and] super pleased with the result. Easy to put on, stayed in place & kept my shoes sand free. Really like that they are easy to take on & off because we also have mud 😅
Verified Amazon Customer
Good quality. Nicely made double sheet for sleeping bag. However, I was so impressed with the quality, I actually bought a second set for my full size bed at home. These sheets are well sown, using quality material and zippers.
Pike Trail Ultralight Compact Outdoor Camping Tailgate Festival Beach Chair
Pike Trail Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles – Lightweight, Adjustable Hiking Poles for Every Adventure
Working Dogs for Warriors
Let's be real for a sec.. shall we? We all love the outdoors and all the beautiful places that we have to explore in this fine country of ours called America. However, NONE of this would be possible without the service and sacrifice of our active military, returning veterans and first responders. Please join us in helping to give back to these warriors and defenders of the mainland who have returned from the battle field while suffering from the effects of PTSD. We have partnered with Working Dogs For Warriors to match our returning heros with a trained, loyal, canine companion to help ease their sufferings as they struggle to adapt to their new life. Together we can ease the pain of PTSD one warrior at a time. Donate or Learn More by clicking on the button below.
Journal
Permethrin vs. Picaridin vs. DEET: Which Tick Repellent Wins?
The most important thing to understand about tick repellents isn't which one is "best" — it's that they solve different problems. Permethrin treats clothing and gear; DEET and picaridin go on skin. Used correctly, they're not competing options, they're a layered system, and the strongest protection comes from using more than one. The key distinction: clothing vs. skin Permethrin is registered for use on clothing, footwear, and gear — not skin. DEET and picaridin are registered for direct skin application. That single distinction explains most of the confusion around these products: they're not three versions of the same thing, they're two different tools for two different surfaces. A lot of hikers default to whichever one they grew up with, usually DEET, without realizing the other two solve a different part of the problem entirely. Permethrin: built for fabric, not skin Permethrin is an EPA-registered insecticide, not a repellent in the traditional sense — it kills ticks on contact rather than just discouraging them. Applied to clothing, boots, and gear, it keeps working through repeated washes. Factory-treated clothing typically holds its effectiveness far longer than spray-on treatments, which wear off sooner and need to be reapplied more often — check the product label for specifics. Because it's bonded to fabric rather than skin, permethrin protects continuously without needing to be reapplied throughout the day the way a skin repellent does. Picaridin: an odorless option for skin Picaridin is an EPA-registered skin repellent that's largely odorless and doesn't have the greasy feel some people associate with DEET. It's generally gear-safe, meaning it won't damage plastics or synthetic fabrics the way DEET sometimes can, and it provides several hours of protection depending on the concentration of the product. DEET: the long track record DEET has been registered and studied for decades and remains one of the most effective skin repellents available at adequate concentrations. Its main downsides are a stronger odor, a greasier feel for some users, and a tendency to degrade certain plastics and synthetic fabrics with repeated contact — worth keeping in mind if it gets on watch bands, sunglasses, or gear straps. Application tips and safety basics Whichever skin repellent you choose, the product label is the actual source of truth — concentration, reapplication interval, and any age restrictions all vary by product and brand, not by active ingredient alone. A few general habits apply across the board: apply repellent to exposed skin only, not underneath clothing; avoid the eyes, mouth, and any cuts or irritated skin; and wash it off with soap and water once you're back inside rather than leaving it on overnight. If you're using both a repellent and sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and let it absorb before adding repellent on top. For specific guidance on children, pregnancy, or any skin sensitivity, check the label and ask a pharmacist or healthcare provider rather than guessing. A note on combination products Some clothing comes pre-treated with permethrin straight from the manufacturer, and some repellent sprays combine picaridin or DEET with sunscreen or other ingredients in one bottle. Combination products can simplify your kit, but they also tie reapplication schedules together — sunscreen often needs reapplying more frequently than a repellent does, which can mean you're either under-protected on the repellent side or over-applying the sunscreen side. Separate products give you more control; combination products give you fewer bottles to carry. Neither is wrong, it's a matter of what you'd rather manage. Side by side Permethrin Picaridin DEET Where it goes Clothing & gear Skin Skin How it works Kills ticks on contact Repels Repels Durability Many washes (factory-treated) Several hours per application Several hours per application Odor/feel None once dry Largely odorless Noticeable for some users Gear-safe Yes — that's the point Generally yes Can degrade some plastics The recommended layered approach The most effective setup combines both types: permethrin-treated clothing and gear as a base layer of protection, plus a skin repellent — picaridin or DEET — on any exposed skin it doesn't cover. Neither one alone addresses the whole picture. Together, they cover both the parts of you that are clothed and the parts that aren't, which is the same layered logic behind pairing gaiters with a repellent. In practice, that usually looks like treating your hiking pants, socks, and gaiters with permethrin ahead of the season (or buying them factory-treated), then applying a skin repellent each time you head out, focused on wrists, neck, hairline, and any other skin that stays exposed. Reapply the skin repellent according to the label if you're out longer than its stated protection window — sweating and water exposure both shorten how long it lasts. The clothing layer doesn't need that kind of daily attention, which is exactly why it's worth setting up once and not having to think about it again for months. For the complete prevention routine — what to do before, during, and after time outdoors — see our Tick Prevention Guide. And since the ankle gap is one of the few areas neither repellent fully solves on its own, it's worth closing with the right gear: our hiking gaiters collection covers exactly that gap. Shop Tick-Protection Gaiters This article is for general educational purposes and isn't a substitute for medical advice. Always follow the product label for any repellent or insecticide, and talk to a healthcare provider with questions about a specific product or reaction.
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Do Gaiters Prevent Tick Bites? What Actually Works
Short answer: yes. Gaiters work because they close off the single most common way a tick gets onto a hiker — the gap between pant leg and boot. They're not a complete solution by themselves, but paired with the rest of a normal prevention routine, they remove one of the biggest entry points almost entirely. How ticks actually get on you Ticks don't jump, fly, or drop out of trees the way a lot of people assume. They climb onto grass, leaf litter, and low brush along the trail, then extend their front legs and wait for something warm-blooded to brush past — a behavior called questing. Because they quest from ground level up to roughly knee height, the lower leg is almost always the first point of contact. From there, an unprotected tick works its way upward, often unnoticed, looking for skin. What makes a gaiter effective against ticks Not every gaiter is built with tick protection in mind, and a few details separate the ones that actually close the gap from the ones that just look the part. Coverage height. A gaiter needs to extend high enough up the calf to overlap with where your pant leg ends, with no exposed skin or thin sock fabric in between. A snug seal at top and bottom. Loose-fitting gaiters that gap at the ankle or slide down over the course of a hike defeat the purpose. Adjustable straps or elastic at both ends keep the seal tight. Tightly woven, durable fabric. Ticks are small, but they can't climb through a tightly woven fabric the way they can through loose mesh or worn-out material. Gaiters + permethrin: the strongest combo Gaiters and permethrin-treated clothing solve different parts of the same problem. A gaiter is a physical barrier — it keeps a tick from ever reaching skin in the first place. Permethrin is a chemical one — it kills ticks that land on treated fabric, including a gaiter itself if it's treated. Used together, you get a barrier that's difficult for a tick to get past, and one that's actively hostile to ticks that try anyway. Neither layer needs to be expensive or complicated; it's simply pairing two different defenses that cover for each other's gaps. Honest limits Gaiters aren't a complete solution on their own. They protect the lower leg, but ticks can still reach exposed skin elsewhere — wrists, neck, hairline — especially after sitting in grass or leaning against brush. A gaiter also won't help with a tick that's already attached before you put one on, and it does nothing for ticks that drop onto your shoulders or hat from overhanging branches, which does happen on overgrown trails even though it's less common than questing from ground level. Pairing gaiters with a full prevention routine, including a thorough check after the hike, is still necessary. Gaiters remove one major risk, not all of them — think of them as the highest-leverage piece of a larger system rather than the whole system. Wearing them right Even a well-made gaiter only works if it's worn correctly. Put it on before you reach brushy terrain, not once you're already in it — ticks that are already questing on your pant leg by the time you stop to adjust your gear have already had their chance. Make sure the top strap or closure sits snug against your pant leg with no visible gap, and check the fit again after the first mile, since some gaiters loosen slightly as you walk. If you're hiking somewhere with particularly dense brush or tall grass, it's worth double-checking the seal at rest stops rather than assuming it held the whole way. What to look for when buying If you're shopping specifically for tick protection, prioritize coverage height and a fabric that's both tightly woven and comfortable for the conditions you hike in most. Our hiking gaiters collection is built around exactly this: full ankle-to-calf coverage in fabrics that hold up to brush and trail use. Frequently asked questions Do gaiters really prevent tick bites?They significantly reduce the risk by closing the ankle gap, which is the most common way ticks get onto a hiker. They work best as part of a full prevention routine rather than as a stand-alone solution. Can ticks bite through gaiters?A tightly woven gaiter fabric is very difficult for a tick to bite or climb through. Most ticks that reach a gaiter end up stuck on the outside rather than making it to skin. Do I still need bug spray if I wear gaiters?Yes. Gaiters protect the lower leg, but exposed skin elsewhere — wrists, neck, hairline — still benefits from an EPA-registered repellent. What height of gaiter is best for tick protection?Look for a gaiter that reaches high enough on the calf to fully overlap with your pant leg, leaving no gap of skin or thin sock fabric exposed. For the full prevention picture — what to do before, during, and after a hike — see our Tick Prevention Guide. Shop Tick-Protection Gaiters This article is for general educational purposes and isn't a substitute for medical advice. If you've been bitten by a tick or are concerned about symptoms, talk to a healthcare provider.
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How to Prevent Tick Bites While Hiking
Tick-borne illness has been climbing across the U.S. for years, and hikers are squarely in its path — trail edges, brushy switchbacks, and tall grass are exactly where ticks wait for a host to brush past. The good news is that most tick bites are preventable, and prevention is mostly a matter of habit rather than luck. Build a few routines into your before-hike, on-trail, and after-hike routine, and you cut your risk dramatically without changing how or where you hike. Why hikers are especially exposed Ticks don't jump or fly onto you. They climb onto grass, leaf litter, and low brush, then wait with their front legs extended for something warm-blooded to brush past — a behavior researchers call "questing." Trails are full of exactly the vegetation ticks favor: the unmowed edges where trail meets brush, the blowdown you have to step around, and the leaf litter that piles up on either side of the path. Brushing against any of it is often all it takes for a tick to transfer onto a boot, sock, or pant leg, and from there it works its way upward looking for skin. Before the hike: gear up right Most of your protection should be in place before you ever reach the trailhead. Treat your clothing with permethrin. Permethrin is an EPA-registered insecticide that kills ticks on contact and is applied to clothing and gear rather than skin. Factory-treated hiking clothing holds up through many washes; spray-on treatments wear off sooner and need to be reapplied more often, so check the product label either way. Treated clothing is one of the highest-leverage things you can do, because it keeps working even if a tick does land on you. Use a skin repellent for exposed areas. An EPA-registered repellent on exposed skin — wrists, neck, hairline — covers the gaps that clothing can't. Wear light-colored clothing. It won't stop a tick from climbing on, but it makes a dark, moving speck on light fabric far easier to spot before it ever reaches skin. Close off entry points. Tuck pants into socks or wear gaiters that seal the gap between boot and pant leg. That single gap is responsible for more tick contact than almost any other part of a typical hiking outfit — more on that below. On the trail: know where ticks wait Stay toward the center of the trail and away from overhanging brush where you can. Ticks concentrate at knee height and below, clinging to grass tips and leaf edges along trail margins, so the few extra inches of clearance you get by not hugging the brush line meaningfully reduces contact. The same goes for breaks: if you stop to rest or eat, look for a spot away from tall grass rather than sitting directly in it. None of this means avoiding the trail edges entirely — it just means treating them with a bit more awareness. The ankle gap: the #1 entry point Of all the places a tick gets on a hiker, the gap between pant leg and boot is the most common. Ticks quest low and climb upward from ground level, so the ankle and lower leg are the first bare or thin-fabric areas they reach — long before a tick ever gets near your waist or collar. Gaiters that fully cover this gap, sealing pant leg to boot, close off that entry route almost entirely. It's a simple, low-effort piece of gear addressing the single most exploited weak point in a typical hiking outfit. If you don't already have a pair, our hiking gaiters collection has options built for exactly this kind of trail use. After the hike: the habits that matter most Prevention doesn't end when you reach the trailhead parking lot — what you do in the next couple of hours matters just as much as what you did before you left. Check yourself soon after you're back. A full-body check, paying particular attention to the scalp, ears, underarms, waistband, and backs of the knees, catches most ticks before they've been attached long. Most tick-borne infections require an extended period of attachment — often a day or more — so finding and removing a tick promptly meaningfully lowers your risk of infection even if you did get bitten. Shower within a couple of hours of coming indoors. A shower helps rinse off ticks that haven't yet attached and gives you a second chance to spot ones that have, particularly in places that are hard to see without a mirror. Run your hiking clothes through a hot dryer. High heat for about ten minutes kills ticks that a regular wash cycle might not, especially on clothing that didn't fully dry in the wash. Quick gear checklist Permethrin-treated clothing or gear EPA-registered skin repellent for exposed areas Light-colored clothing, so ticks are easier to spot Gaiters or tucked-in pants to close the ankle gap Fine-tipped tweezers, packed in your hiking kit A plan to check yourself and shower soon after you're back None of this requires much extra time or money — it's mostly about building the habit until it's automatic. For the complete picture, including how to remove an attached tick correctly and trusted resources on tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease and alpha-gal syndrome, see our Tick Prevention Guide. Shop Tick-Protection Gaiters This article is for general educational purposes and isn't a substitute for medical advice. If you've been bitten by a tick or are concerned about symptoms, talk to a healthcare provider.
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