Snow Shoeing ???

jmh33

jmh33

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Mar 16, 2003
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Tell me.. What works for you.. Shoes, boots etc.. Never done it but want to.. Tell me all!!! THANKS!!! John:)
 
Many folks are onto the newer styles, but I for one care less for them. I use a trad shoe and have Green Mountains, Ojibway, and Michigan styles for different conditions. I like the old "H" style bindings too, as they seem to give me good control; however, many good products are available today that work just as well, maybe better. Modern materials are the Bee's knees in many cases, so it is really up to you to decide what works best.
My suggestion is to start as inexpensively as you can and modify from there. If you're the crafty sort, fairly good snow shoes can be made of PVC pipe, laced with P cord.
 
I have a pair of MSR lightning ascent snowshoes. They're top of the line and work great for all snow snowshoeing conditions. I highly recommend them.
 
I've only done a bit of snowshoeing, my parents have a set they got in the north. The trick is to get the kind that are going to fit what you want to do with them, and most modern designs are very generalize, or so I've seen. My Dad's set are big tailed trail-breakers, lots of scoop on the toe. Good for mushy powder in more open country, where my Mom's are more rounded with no tail, and are narrower, easier to walk in and better for slightly broken trail. So they were easier to use when following the bigger shoes, adding to the advantage. The other thing I've heard from a buddy who does a fair bit of snowshoeing is unless you have lots of hills to climb, cleats just waste energy, and knowing when you should go without them is important too.
 
there are two types: the traditional style with flat bottom and the modern ones with actual spikes/claws underneath for extra grip if you're hiking on steep terrain too.

i like my tubbs mountaineer ones and i use my normal hiking boots with outdoor research gaiters to keep the snow out of it. i like that it has quick release bindings so i can put it on and off in a matter of seconds.

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I've had the same pair of Tubbs for nearly 20 years and they've served me well. Look for a size that will handle your weight plus your gear and have at it. It's great fun and exercise.

The modern bindings work will many different boots and I usually just wear my Scarpa hiking boots with gaiters to keep snow out.

Look for an end of the winter season sale to get a great deal.
 
I actually just sold two pairs of modern snowshoes that we had, and I'm in the market for some traditional shoes - probably either Iverson's or Maine Guides. They tend to be a lot quieter in the woods than metal-framed shoes, and I like to use them for winter hare hunting, etc.
 
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