As warmer weather approaches, I'm curious about how you guys manage to keep debris out of your boots or shoes, especially when you're wearing shorts in the shop. What are your go-to solutions?
5 Answers
Have you thought about using hiking gaiters? They’re lightweight and perfect for this kind of issue. I haven’t tried them since I usually don’t wear shorts in the shop, but I’ve heard good things!
I've got a pair from Salomon that I love! They're super light, and I wear them all the time when using a lathe or chainsaw in shorts.
Honestly, my boots are often filled with chips anyway, whether I’m in shorts or pants. It’s just part of the deal!
You could also check out the gardening section at your local store for short cloth ankle covers that you wear before your boots. They help keep sawdust and other debris from getting in your boots and socks.
One method is to wear a knee-length apron. It’s simple and helps catch a lot of the stuff that might slip into your boots.
If all else fails, I guess wearing sandals eliminates the problem altogether. No sawdust collecting in those!

Yeah, there are some really light ones designed for backpacking. I used to look at Dirty Girl gaiters—they were all the rage, but check what’s trending now!