I don't use gaiters, tried them, didn't like having to worry about an extra piece of clothing, or getting hot feet. In snow they were useful but that's a different story. I always use long pants. Just like in Australia I don't get why locals use shorts in a bush that is often pricky and scratching your legs, and where skin cancer from sun exposure is a real concern. I don't want to have to put sun screen on my legs every 2 hours or so, pants are so much more useful to protect against sandflies, mosquitoes, bush, sun and cold wind. When they get wet they just dry when you walk in about 20 minutes, not a big deal. And I only get rocks in my shoes when I walk on sand or in creek beds gravel, so not really a problem for me.
I use low hiking shoes, I feel that high boots are weakening my ankles and they lack in comfort. Plus you have to carry that extra weight with each step! And when you travel that's less weight in your luggage, and when they are wet they dry quicker than boots :)
I agree with much of that.
You may laugh - I use long pants in dry weather, and shorts when it rains - with long polopro underwear underneath. Works well for me. Shorts don't stick to your legs when wet like pants do, and the polypro is warm even when wet.
I rarely use rain pants, it needs to get pretty serious before I take them out of the backpack. I carry them every time though.
Totally agree re boots.
