So I'm a nOOb to trail running; just completed my first 50K ultra this past weekend.  I saw a few of the runners with gators around their ankles to keep stuff from getting in their shoes.  The trail I ran had about a mile in a riverbed with sand and I could have really used them.  I had to stop and dump the sand out of my shoes a few times.

What are the general thoughts on them?

Only use them when the trail dictates (provided you're familiar with the trail beforehand)?

Use them all of the time?

Gators?  Are you talking alligator or crocodile?

Gaiters.

I have never used them.

I think their appeal (need) has increased with the new wider mesh material in the uppers of today's running shoes.

I use them all the time but I live in the desert and run in sand , lots of sand . My friend makes them for me , it takes her about 15 minutes to make them . I buy her fabric and the parts this time of year so I can have a bunch to match my shoes and outfits . If you know some who sews the materials cost about $4 per pair depending on what fabric you pick . I go with swimsuit material but you could use anything with some stretch .

I like them in the snow, but seldom use them in other conditions.

I have never but I recently purchased a pair of DG gaiters.  Unfortunately they are coming apart and I haven't even used them yet.  So I have to figure out if it's worth it to send them back to the UK to get a replacement.

I never cared too much about stuff in my shoes until I started wearing custom orthotics.  The debris has since caused indents in the heel and toe area of the orthotics.  It won't affect much now but over time this will ruin the orthotic.  This is why I ordered a pair.  But now I am not using because the thread is coming out.

I imagine it depends on the areas you run in whether you use them.

Plus, well you can get them to match your arm panties!

You look so nice, XT! 

I've found the grit and snow come in through the toe mesh - the area not covered by gaitors. We have a lot of silty loess that gets into everything. We don't have things like jumping chollas up here.

I've got a couple pairs of gaitors that I've never cared for since they are warm. I haven't tried DG or similar gators.

I have used neoprene overbooties (Crescent Moon or mtn biking) in the winter to keep snow out when it's cold. They cover whole top of shoe. But they'd be warm for summer - and even not-cold winter days.

always wear them (well except when I'm forced to run on the dread mill ) - once in a great while I'll forget to put them on and I always get reminded why I wear them

dirty girls, still going strong after 3 years and 4500 miles