What's the difference between low (ankle) gaiters and tall gaiters?

Low or ankle gaiters cover just the shoe collar and lower ankle and are aimed at trail runners and dry-trail hikers who mainly want to block dust, sand, and small rocks. Taller adjustable gaiters extend up the calf and are built to keep out deeper snow, mud, and water, which is why they're favored for mountaineering, hunting, and wet-weather hiking. Most of the picks here are low/ankle styles, with the Pike Trail being a taller adjustable design.