Hi, thanks for your post. If you wish to protect your boots especially in the muddy areas its still wise to wear them. My son Shane walks quite a few times each year and his preferred choice is the ones you pick up at a Bunnings store. They are short ones and it over the top of your boots.

Obviously I have met lots of trekkers and would have to say the long ones are the 'norm'. As for myself, when I walked I wore long gaitors and found on about day 3 or 4, that I was developing a rash on the front of both legs so decided to stop wearing them and started wearing long pants instead. This worked for me. Perhaps its a mental thing but just today I was driving along and my leg still felt itchy how many years later!