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Gaiters are great for keeping rocks, dirt, mud and snow out of your boots.  Clean boots and socks will dramatically decrease your chance of blisters.  They protect legs from branches and poison oak.  Help keep ticks off and boots drier.  They also reduce our impact while hiking by allowing us to stay on the main trail even though those wet, muddy sections.

Gaiters are a good idea just because they're relatively inexpensive, easy to wear and can add a whole new level of comfort to hiking in less than splendid conditions.

Gaiters come in three general types:

• Low gaiters that come about ankle high are meant more for keeping out pebbles and sand rather than rain or snow.
  
  
• Insulated gaiters are for high-altitude, bitterly cold conditions encountered by mountaineers, not urban hikers.
  
  
• High gaiters are calf-high and helpful when you're hiking on wet, muddy trails, wading through streams, or crashing through brush.

There are a few things to consider when choosing a pair of gaiters:

• What type of fabric are they made of?  The entire gaiter should be waterproof, but you'll probably want the upper portion to be made of a breathable fabric so you don't get too sweaty.  Nylon is less expensive than Gortex, but not as breathable.
  
  
• How do they attach to the boot?  Elastic or lace type bindings are easy to use, but not as durable as beefier rubberized straps.
  
  
• How do they do up around your leg?  Velcro closures are generally considered the best, both for ease to put on and ability to keep water out, but a zippered closure with a good storm flap also works well.

Nylon gaiters start at about $15; Gortex gaiters start at about $40.