<< Are gaiters really needed on the AT? >> I don't think so. I don't even own a pair. Never really felt like I neede= d them. But this is very subjective. I know there are others who swear by them. A= nd I like as little as possible on my legs when I'm hiking. Usually just h= ike in shorts, unless it's too, too cold or wet. YMMV. Walkabout AT99