Gaiters - gamasjer in Norwegian - are the fabric sleeves worn over the lower leg and the top of the boot, sealed at the ankle and laced under the boot, that keep snow, gravel, water and scree out of the boot on serious mountain days. The standard hiking gaiter is a knee-length, water-resistant fabric tube with an elastic top, a hook-and-loop closure down the front, and a buckled strap that runs under the instep of the boot. A pair weighs around 200 grams.
On a Norwegian summer mountain trip, gaiters are useful in three specific situations: crossing snowfields above 1,400 meters (the snow goes into the top of the boot otherwise), walking through wet long grass or low scrub in the morning dew, and any descent through loose scree where small stones would otherwise pour into the boot at every step. On a winter topptur, taller and stiffer gaiters are essential to keep deep snow out of the boot tops.
Most Norwegian active-travel kit lists include gaiters as recommended rather than required equipment. For a standard hut-to-hut summer week in Jotunheimen or Hardangervidda, a light pair is sensible insurance; for a serious autumn or shoulder-season walk, when the trails carry occasional snow patches above 1,500 meters, gaiters move from optional to essential. The DNT shop and most trailhead outdoor stores stock reasonable pairs; we suggest the eVent or similar breathable-membrane versions over fully waterproof gaiters, which trap sweat on warm climbs.