Cloth or leather coverings worn over the lower legs and ankles, often for outdoor work, hiking, or traditional attire.
When hiking, I wear gaiters to protect my legs from rocks and mud.
puttees
Specifically refers to the long strip of cloth wrapped around the lower leg, historically used in military uniforms. See also 巻き脚絆.
See also: 巻き脚絆
In old military uniforms, soldiers wore wrapped puttees.
puttee
Standard kanji spelling for gaiters/leggings.
Alternate kanji spelling; less common but still encountered.
脚 (leg) + 絆 (bind/tie). The kanji 絆 is used here in its sense of 'fetters' or 'shackles', reflecting the binding nature of gaiters.