We are planning to walk on the Routeburn, Greenstone/Caples, and Kepler Tracks next February. In Australia I usually wear knee-length gaiters to keep stuff out of my shoes, protect my calves from being scratched, and for peace of mind as an extra layer of protection against snakes. The tracks on the Great Walks look pretty clear in the photographs and I don't need to worry about snakes so I am wondering, are gaiters necessary for a summer tramp?
I've got some nifty little lightweight ankle gaiters which I could wear instead to keep stuff out of my shoes. They are smaller, lighter, and more comfortable.