Do front struts need dust covers?

My KYB GR-2 front struts didn't come with new dust covers (boots), and I forgot to re-use the old dust covers when I installed the new struts (and I think my friend threw them away already):shakehead. Is it ok to ride around the city and highway without the strut dust covers? Or do I have to buy new dust covers and install them on the struts? I rather not bother with installing dust covers back on if they aren't that important; it's a real pain for me to have to do the job again. It does get windy here sometimes though, in my part of California.

1994 Eclipse GS 2.0L N/T

Dust covers are there for a reason, but you don't have to have them.... you can just replace your struts again after a while. :sarcasm1: Don't you want your struts to last as long as possible? Dust covers are cheaper than struts.:2cents: They help protect the packing around the rod by keeping dust and debris off.