Hiking season is giving way to lots of snow falling at the moment(yeah!). Who has good snowshoe recommendations? I saw a big row of them today and have no clue what criteria to even begin selecting…
Just remember that the running style snowshoes are really designed for packed groom trails only. If you try to use them on fresh snow cover you will simply push through the snow and just make more work for yourself. So if you are planning to use them for hiking then do not go for one of the sporty running styles, instead select one with a large footprint surface area.
Dave in VA
BTW, I have the Redfeather running style and have only been able to use them correctly twice in 8 years.
Snowshoes are sold by size. The bigger they are, the more weight they can displace in the snow. Most compannies have a size chart based on your weight. Some reputable brands are Atlas, Redfeather, and Tubbs.
I’m far from a snowshoe guru, but have spent a wee bit of time in them the last year or so. Unless you’re willing to plop down $100+ for a pair, only to find out it doesn’t fit your needs, I would suggest finding an inexpensive pair or two on CraigsList. If you get a lot of snow around you, I would image there would be quite a few sets of barely used snowshoes that you could pick up dirt cheap and then see:
- What style works best for you
- If you like snowshoeing or not.
hak
I tried out a pair of Atlas Race running snowshoes last winter (at a Snowshoe 5k). They’re pretty cool, but I have to agree with the earlier commenter that they don’t work well once you get off the groomed trail.
I’ve used hiking snowshoes many other times—usually Atlas brand. You ought to look for a place that will allow you to rent a pair before you buy. We have two local places to rent snowshoes here, so I may never actually purchase a pair. I don’t have that many opportunities to go each year, after all.
I normally snowshoe a couple times a winter with a group of about 8 people. There’s always a variety of different snowshoes, the overall opinion is the MSR Denali is the best option. Their easy to put on, nice to walk in, reliable & they have an optional extension to put on the back if your carrying more weight.
On sale at REI $99 http://www.rei.com/product/690363
Travis
dumb blog
+1 for MSR.
One of the few times in life that the cheapest option is the best.
Went through examples of each of the other name brands in an alarmingly short time. MSRs are now 5+ years old and going strong.
If you plan on racing, get racing shoes.
Otherwise, my wife and I use Tubbs and are very happy with them. We have two different sizes, even though we’re the same weight. For one thing, I tend to carry more weight in my pack, and for another this way when I go out by myself I can choose which size shoes to wear depending on the snow. Softer snow (i.e. powder) requires a larger shoe.
I’ve 'shoed everything from groomed trails to wild, steep off-trail mountain climbing and the only time I’ve struggled is when side-stepping (traversing) the steep stuff. But I doubt any shoe would handle that very well.
Crescent Moon Gold Series 12 is what I have…great for running: http://www.crescentmoonsnowshoes.com/gold.html
My fiance swears by Dions: http://www.dionsnowshoes.com/index.html
We use ours for running and racing and mostly on packed trails but have gone out in several inches of fluffy without a problem. Happy shoeing!
I’ve had some Denalis for a number of years. their not as cool as my brother-in-law’s wooden ones, or as expensive as the sister-in-law’s Tubbs, but they are easy to put on,have great side hill grip, but, even with the tails, if you’re over ~80kg and the snow is really deep and soft, the tips can go pretty far in.
I’ve also got a pair of cresent moon gold series 12. Work great. they are running shoes but I also use them for backcountry hiking. I’ve done some over night snow cave trips with them which means I’m carrying a loaded pack in some pretty deep snow and I don’t post hole too bad. Better than walking without them, that’s for sure. The bigger they are, the better they float though.
REI has their big winter sale going on starting today. I don’t know if they ship internationally though.
I have Atlas women’s specific and they are great. Not that you need women’s specific, but I do like them overall. Easy to put on and are lightweight. I do recommend getting a bag with them, they get nasty wet and slushy and being able to shove them in a nice storage bag is helpful.
I snowshoe almost every weekend in the winter and love it. Great workout without the impact.
I can tell you that I once made a parachute jump with snow shoes. Avoid that.
I’m not kidding.
This is all great info, thanks much!
Scott