Snowshoeing

[DJJ]

Hi
Well we are finally getting a winter with some significant snow.I dug out my snowshoes last night to go for a walk.These are the wood and leather type that I've had for a quite a few years.The bindings are a series of nylon straps that get to be a pain trying to get your feet into.
Does any one know where I could get a more simpler style of bindings?Something that winter boots would fit into and are easy to get in and out of.

Thanks
Dennis

 

[brians]

Here's my Northern Lites Tundra's with the simple and very effective Tru Trak bindings. These shoes do not float as advertised, but are light, are great for heavier snow and the bindings are the best and simplest I've used and I snowshoed in Canada a lot. I use them for hiking/hunting when I'm not sure if I will need them for the whole trip. 46 oz and lightest on the market:

From their site:
"Northern Lites’ innovative TruTrak Bindings have proven to be the industry’s straightest tracking without the need for toe baskets or heel pads. Position snowshoes with heel strap ladder locks to the outside and place foot so toe is 1 inch behind toe opening. Then firmly hook overstraps with innovative "hook-buckles" which are easy to secure/remove with bulky gloves or mittens. These need not be wrenched down like most snowshoes so they’re comfortable with any footwear from running shoes to Sorels. Lastly, tighten heel straps as firmly as possible - and you’re ready to go!"

 

[PB Wilson]

Take a look at Tubbs, Atlas or any other big name snowshoe company catalog. I'd bet that they sell replacement bindings for their shoes. Some may be retrofitted to yours with a bit of head-scratching.

Or you could wait a few months when the price of snowshoes plummets like a US automaker's stock and get a fancy set of new ones for cheap.