Reading through Australian Hunter issue 86, the article ‘Snakes Alive!’ got me thinking twice about my slightly lax attitude about Australia’s slithering critters.

My first outing with our new ute and rooftop tent saw my wife and I out to the Flinders Ranges in South Australia. North of Blinman, we found a remote camping spot to test out the Hunters Element Venom V2 Gaiters, designed in ‘good old New Zealand’. Thankfully, we didn’t see any snakes, but the gaiters gave me confidence as I traversed the landscape.

You can often tell quality at first touch and that is what I found with the gaiters, which are light but substantial at the same time. The Hydrafuse StealthSHELL fabric reduces noise as you walk. That feature wasn’t front of mind until we realised how quiet it was while we walked; we couldn’t believe the silence we were enjoying.

The gaiters have durable Cordura lining and an internal fang shield. It protects against a snake’s sharp fangs while allowing breathability. This durability was tested by NSW snake handler Peter Bryant – and although the company can’t legally give you a 100 per cent guarantee that a bite won’t penetrate, Bryant’s successful testing is comforting. As soon as you pick them up, it’s not a long bet to give the edge to the gaiters over a snake. They are tough and the weave is tight.

The double-stitched seams and solid Velcro lend to their sense of quality. Size-wise, these gaiters are suitably snug, if you choose the right pair. I could have gotten a size larger though, and the fact they were just a bit tight, meant they were a bit tricky to put on without an extra set of hands.

However, my wife used them and was able to put them on with ease. The website has a handy size-guide to help, which I should have referred to a bit better and then erred on the side of caution. To ensure a good fit, they are sculptured to the natural shape of your leg, equipped with a resilient YKK zip, three snaps, an adjustable top strap above the calves to tighten and webbing loops at the base for a wire attachment, which is not supplied. However, you can add them to your purchase for only $15.99 for the added security. I felt secure in the fit without them but maybe if regular wear affects them, I might purchase the add-on.

Not only are these gaiters a well-made product, Hunters Element is very focused on sustainability. The packaging is 100 per cent recycled card and consumers are encouraged to recycle it as compost. The company says it is on track to ‘have saved over 150 tonnes of new card and over 25 tonnes of plastic by 2025’. We like a company with sustainability values that match ours.

As well as that emphasis, with your purchase you get the Hunters Element Warranty Promise, which says if within one year you find a manufacturing fault, it will be repaired or replaced free of charge. Plus, if you damage one of their many products on offer, say by crushing a zip or cutting it with a knife, the company will do their best to fix it for a small fee. That’s great customer service and further testament to their products and efforts in sustainability. Why throw something out when it can be fixed?

In the end, these gaiters will help take the bite out of Australia’s great but often harsh outdoors. Priced at $189.99 a pair on their website: hunterselement.com.au