Gutter guards?

[DenverGP]

Anyone got any recommendations or warnings on gutter guards? Gutters on the front of my house stay pretty clear, but I've got several trees in back that drop all sorts of crap in, end up having to clean them way too often or deal with overflowing during a storm.

I was considering the simple foam ones that go inside the gutter, but seems like it would need to be replaced every couple years. Also saw something showing that most of that style are pretty flammable, which seems like a bad idea.

I'm looking at something simple like:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/InvisaFlow-Galvanized-Steel-Gutter-Guard/50031816
https://mobileimages.lowes.com/product/converted/897864/897864002321_04493534.jpg

[Irving]

I like the ones shown as they are far superior to the plastic. There are better kinds, but they are more expensive and labor intensive to install. I don't like the foam at all. I agree that foam should be replaced often, and it usually gets full of crap.

[GilpinGuy]

I clean my elderly lady neighbor's gutters and she's had the foam ones for a few years. They are filling up with crud. Eventually they will be clogged.

Pine needles don't seem to flow over these either. They back up behind the gutter and accumulate there. Still have to get up there and clean them out. (Maybe they were installed incorrectly, IDK)

[Irving]

If she doesn't have a very steep roof, they'll be more likely to collect up behind the guard.

I've got this product on my house, but it was on there when I bought it, so no idea how much it was to install. I haven't had any problems with it in the five-six years I've been at this house. The only time I took it apart, the gutters were clean. I have a large elm tree in the front yard, but no pine trees. I think the only things that like this gutter more than I do is wasps, which is the reason I took it apart that one time. In case you can't tell from the photo, the flashing tucks up under the second row of shingles. It can certainly be retrofitted, but the newer the roof, the more of a pain that would be.
https://www.centuryspouting.com/gutter-helmet/
https://www.centuryspouting.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/386_WhirlyBirdsAsph_3750.jpg

[mutt]

https://www.lowes.com/pd/InvisaFlow-Galvanized-Steel-Gutter-Guard/50031816
https://mobileimages.lowes.com/product/converted/897864/897864002321_04493534.jpg

I have this style on my gutters. Pine needles and small debris get through the holes and start clogging up the gutters and then it's a PITA to remove the guards to clean the gutters anyway. I think this style sucks. If the trees in your back yard just drop large leaves, then maybe these will be fine. But if they are pine trees or they have smaller leaves, they are a waste of time and money.

[XJ]

I would love to find a gutter solution that excludes ponderosa pine needles.

[Mtneer]

I would love to find a gutter solution that excludes ponderosa pine needles.

The style Irving shows is your best option. Foam is the absolute worst for anyone in wildfire country, better off without and get up on a ladder. Best solution is to remove pine trees from near your house.