Bigjay73
Well-known member
I would definitely look at avalanche training videos, what to look for, etc. One thing I've learned that if I snowshoe a lot, hiking becomes much easier in the warmer months. Snowshoeing is fun, and one heck of a workout.
Snowshoeing
- Thread starter Southern Elk
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Bigjay73
Well-known member
And if you haven't purchased any shoes yet, rent different types till you find ones you like. I actually use middle of the road price wise shoes, they fit and worked the best best me
Hem
Well-known member
I'm still using the same Tubbs from the 90's..a few replaced parts but still functioning.
Farmerj
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Just one example…
I have a pattern at home for inner tube binders…
I have a pattern at home for inner tube binders…
Elkmagnet
Well-known member
How does the shape of the shoe affect use on different terrain?
one ate E grain
Active member
I used to work wearing them all winter. We were carrying up to 50lb loads, but even with no extra weight I'd never want under a 34" snowshoe. I know people use them on packed trails where just about anything would work, but off trail you want some floatation or your doing a lot more work. As a crew of 4 we'd switch off who went first every quarter mile. We were 100 ft off a surveyed line so distance was easy to keep track of.
For up and down, across creeks, through the trees and brush, they were the best. With skis you can triple the distance but that's on trails. They issued us Sherpa Snow Claws which are now a thing of legend and no longer made, I'm sure there is similar. Those Canadians always seem up on things snow related, they all live in igloos after all.
I've heard these are what people buy these days https://www.irlsupplies.com/0/product.htm?pid=97581&cat=5846 set you back $500 with bindings. We used to abuse ours pretty bad, young guys out in the snow all day. Front flips off cornices were the only thing that would cause binding failure. The laces never seemed to break.
Enjoy.
For up and down, across creeks, through the trees and brush, they were the best. With skis you can triple the distance but that's on trails. They issued us Sherpa Snow Claws which are now a thing of legend and no longer made, I'm sure there is similar. Those Canadians always seem up on things snow related, they all live in igloos after all.
I've heard these are what people buy these days https://www.irlsupplies.com/0/product.htm?pid=97581&cat=5846 set you back $500 with bindings. We used to abuse ours pretty bad, young guys out in the snow all day. Front flips off cornices were the only thing that would cause binding failure. The laces never seemed to break.
Enjoy.
one ate E grain
Active member
Also, to answer your original question. I hear lots of stories of modern snow shoes with, ahem, issues. I'd bring bailing wire and some duct tape, maybe parachute cord. Matches and a type of coffee pot you can set right on the fire.
Farmerj
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Snowshoe Types & Which To Buy Based On Your Needs! | Outdoor Luxuriez
When it comes to snowshoes, there are many different styles, types, brands, models and so forth that you could opt for. This makes the decision…
outdoorluxuriez.com
Wider tend to help float more especially on deep powder.
The biggies will be do you have rotating bindings for up or down hill. Crampons for snow or ice.
Tails tend to track better over bear paws. Tails make it harder to turn around too.
I do more off trail stuff so sized for weight is more critical which means they are much larger than most people get.
Bigjay73
Well-known member
One thing we like to do when snowshoeing is drag a couple of sleds the first ¼ mile or so, ditch them in the woods while we continue our trek,, and then sled back to the trailhead on the trip back. Makes us 40 somethings laugh like a couple of school kids on the way back out, it's a lot of fun
Irrelevant
Well-known member
My daughter and I did that on Sunday. Unfortunately the trail breaking was WAY worse than I anticipated so we didn't make it that far (1/2' crust then sinking in 18"). The crust wasn't strong enough to hold me, so my daughter got to sled out, while I jogged in snowshoes trying to keep up (but failing... and falling).
stillkickin
Well-known member
Thanks everyone, you motivated me and I dug my snowshoes out of the shed and took the pup for a mile run today.
Forgot how enjoyable a winter jaunt can be.
Forgot how enjoyable a winter jaunt can be.
D
Deleted member 16014
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I spent the last two days bumming around after bison in shoes. Mostly off trail, some on our own track on the way back. Big is nice for floating, no doubt. However, navigating in brush and timber where you're not just cruising consistent powder there can be a benefit to a more nimble shoe. I left my tail extensions off both days. It cost me at times compared to the other guys on 30" and 34", but there were plenty of times I was far better off when it came down to getting from point A to point B across mixed garbage.
Ideally you'd have a couple different pairs of snowshoes. I generally dislike snowshoeing, and most years I only use them for spring bear; and then depending on the drainage and year. For spring the floatation matters less, and navigating mixed terrain matters more. That and them being able to survive patches of rocky trail between big deep stretches.
Ideally you'd have a couple different pairs of snowshoes. I generally dislike snowshoeing, and most years I only use them for spring bear; and then depending on the drainage and year. For spring the floatation matters less, and navigating mixed terrain matters more. That and them being able to survive patches of rocky trail between big deep stretches.
BAKPAKR
Well-known member
My daughter even enjoyed snowshoeing..
Love snowshoeing. Wish we had some snow to justify pulling them out.
Super secret pro tip: they're life changing for late season pheasant hunting. Perfect for traversing to and through cattail sloughs blown full of snow. I know folks that use them for predator hunting as well to hike in to their set ups.
Super secret pro tip: they're life changing for late season pheasant hunting. Perfect for traversing to and through cattail sloughs blown full of snow. I know folks that use them for predator hunting as well to hike in to their set ups.
SaskHunter
Well-known member
First thing I do with new snowshoes is always to test out the footwear I will be wearing and see if it fits properly in the harness. Last thing you want is to go out on a hike with your wife and the cute boots she wants to wear which are "totally fine" are too narrow/small to fit properly in the snowshoe harness and she ends up tripping and falling all the time.
Like any winter sport, layers are a must. Snowshoeing is still more physically demanding than walking and you will start sweating FAST if you don't dress properly.
Like any winter sport, layers are a must. Snowshoeing is still more physically demanding than walking and you will start sweating FAST if you don't dress properly.
MThuntr
Well-known member
I have a pair of Atlas...they're the biggest ones I could get to support my fat butt. Holy cow what a workout when not on a semi-packed trail! I carry my 10/22 and shoot pine squirrels as revenge from archery season. It's the only way to make it satisfying.
C17loadclear
Active member
Learned something yesterday… get some ski poles if you plan to go in deep powder..regular poles don't help at all if it’s 4 feet of white stuff.
There is definitely a learning curve..
There is definitely a learning curve..
El Jason
Well-known member
Yeah, you definitely need snow baskets on your poles.
Lasiocarpa
Well-known member
I've put a lot of miles on snowshoes over the years for work. 30" is a good all around size for my weight (175) during mid winter, but smaller shoes are nice to have for spring conditions, steeper terrain, or thick brush. I prefer Atlas (or Sherpa, which are no longer made) for mid-winter and MSR for spring time.
That said, I vastly prefer skis for covering miles.
That said, I vastly prefer skis for covering miles.
