Snowshoes buying guide

It always feels tempting to walk over the snow and enjoys long hikes. However, you need the proper gear to enjoy the journey and keep your body safe, especially your feet.

When talking about the right gear, you need to choose excellent snowshoes for your trip. They allow you to make proper balance on the snow and keep your feet safe.

However, you can't just walk in the store, buy a random pair, and expect them to work perfectly. You need to consider some vital elements. First, you need to understand the type of terrain on which you are going for a hike. Next, you need to have a proper estimate of the weight of the gear.

Lastly, you have to get an idea about the type of snow you will deal with on your hike. Pretty confusing! There is a chance you mix up the things and invest in the wrong pair.

To ease up your selection process, we have prepared a guide that contains all the relevant information. All you need is to skim through the pointers and funnel down the best product for your trip.

So, without any further ado, let's begin.

Something about snowshoes and their importance

In recent years, snowshoeing has become a trendy sport and excellent recreational activity for people. You can enjoy this activity after school at your high school or even when hiking in freezing extreme conditions. Hikers and runners also prefer snowshoeing, which is a safer activity than other recreational activities in the wintertime.

Snowshoes are said to be a very crucial part of the activity gear. While purchasing the perfect snowshoes, there are certain features that you need to keep in their mind, such as the distribution of the weight, material, and length of snowshoes. People enjoy this activity as it is favored by the environment and is fun. Reduction in soil erosion is proven by snowshoes as the snowshoes will pound on snow that is thick other than the soil, and it enables the snow to get packed permanently like that of the layer of land.

Different types of terrains

There are generally three categories in which we classify the snowshoes' terrain type.

1. Rolling terrain shoes

These were made to handle the terrain, which changes from flat to moderate slope. The steep and icy conditions are not included.

The features that this type of shoe carries are a reasonable price, moderate crampons which are aggressive for traction, a sturdy and easy binding system, and a heel lift, which is useful on steeper slopes and is available in a variety of styles.

2. Flat terrain shoes

They are specially designed to be worn by casual users, this type of shoe is conclusive of a reduced price, the binding system is not very complicated, there are modest traction features, and no heel lift is present.

3. Snowshoes for mountain terrain

The shoes are explicitly made to tackle challenging mountains. They are equipped with sturdy binding and a powerful crampon system. This elevates the traction level. However, all these things raise the price of shoes.

Concept of the Weight range

It is also noticeable that there is a different range of weight for other models of the shoe. It would help if you also kept in mind that the weight range includes the value of the body gear and the weight of the user's body. The weight range, which is recommended, is given below:

• 80-150 lb (36-68 kg) This weight range is quite common for 20 in (51cm) models
• 120-200 lb (54-91 kg) This weight range is found common for the 25 in (63.5cm) models
• 170-250 lb (77-113 kg) The weight range is for the 30 in (76 cm) models
• 220-300 lb (100-136 kg) the weight range is found common for 36 in (91.5 cm) models

Factor to consider while selecting appropriate Snowshoes

Size and fitting

Weight is considered to be of crucial vitality while you are out there, selecting the best snowshoes for yourselves. It is a general fact that the heavier you weigh, the more will be the size of the snowshoes that you will require. Some snowshoes are made up of aluminum and can be longer, up to 36 inches. The other composite snowshoes are known to be more compact. The eight by 22-inch size is the standard typical size that you will find in the composite shoes.

If you require more flotation, you can extend the tails, which will provide you with the extra length of snowshoes. It is essential to consider the terrain and snow type where you will be using your snowshoes. If you are going to move in light and powdery snow, then go for the larger snowshoes. Smaller and tight shoes are recommended for the hard and packed down snow. If you are looking for snowshoes to be used on the steep and ice surfaces, then you can go for smaller snowshoes also.

Gender is also a factor on which the size of the shoes is going to depend. The shoes for men are relatively larger to carry the big boots and the body's heavyweight easily. Snowshoes for women are small and narrower, which will prevent them from stepping on the inside of the frames. The kid's snowshoes are explicitly designed for playing around casually, and some of the features are present on their shoes, too, like that of the adult shoes.

Material

1. Aluminum-frame

They are known to be light in weight, and their features include supporting material for decking, which is also attached to the frame. The decking is usually made out of plastic, nylon, coated, urethane, PVC coated polyester and sometimes synthetic rubber.

2. Composite

They have features like a hard decking material that forms the outer frame of the shoe. They are a bit noisier on the hard and packed snow than the rest of the materials.

3. EVA foam

They are extremely quiet, and the foam is beneficial in keeping your feet warm and cozy. The shoes will flex when you stride. The bottom area, which is there for the integrated grip, is not known to provide as much traction as the crampons, which are integrated on the snowshoes.

Every snowshoe is constructed with a variety of different materials. Different materials are used for different parts like the frame, bindings, deck, and also the crampons. Weatherproof and strong material like aluminum, carbon, or even steel is used in the construction of the snowshoes that are fitted with frames. There are frames that are made out of composite material like plastic, which is more commonly used on the decks of the shoes.

Some frames are made out of synthetic like nylon, which is quite durable. The bindings are also made out of nylon, and mostly all the shoes have no-snap properties even when used in the most extreme conditions. The crampons are made out of weatherproof stainless steel of carbon, which can efficiently shred through the ice and have a firm grip on the ground.

Binding

The bindings make sure that your shoes are secure. They commonly contain a platform and straps which go over the boot and all around its heel. The most advanced shoes will include a sophisticated binding system.

1. Rotating bindings or floating binding

They pivot around the balls of your feet. The models of snowshoes binding, which revolves around your feet, are known to cause less fatigue while you are climbing, and they shed off the powdered snow well and enable you to kick steps on the steeper slopes.

2. Fixed bindings

On certain snowshoes, they are known to attach with the full length of the foot and to the deck, which flexes a bit to avoid the lack of pivot. They are not that efficient for climbing and deep powder travel with the pivot bindings. Fixed bindings assist you in a natural movement for a walk in the flat and even the challenging packed terrain.

3. Binding Closures

They range from nylon straps to cable systems. They are the most advanced system which can adjust and tighten quickly and very easily. Any closure will work for that.

Frame

There is a whole lot of variety in the field of snowshoe frames. The new models are available in a variety of designs, and they have different frame varieties.

1. Tubular Frame

If the surface you are planning to hike will not require shoes with extra traction, tubular framed shoes will work for you. The backcountry models are specially designed for you to move through the deep snow, and they feature frames in tubular form. They can also be seen in most of the hiking models.

2. Plastic Decking

They can produce lightweight shoes, and the manufacturers have started to make the decking from materials that are rigid like plastic.

The plastic decking is relatively light in weight and provides the shoes with a firm grip, but the frame is also quite stiff. Such snowshoes can be very slippery, so they require careful treatment.

3. Flat Stock Frames

The latest models are available in brand new styles, which are often backed up with the flat stock frame. The edges are serrated, and durable materials are used for the packs of rubber decking. They are relatively light in weight, and they are an excellent choice if you are planning to go on icy steep terrains.

Traction

Snowshoes have another feature, which is also very important. It is known as traction and is accomplished with the help of crampons. Steel, aluminum, or any other composite is used in the production of crampons. Good grip and a robust platform is offered by the steel crampons. The aluminum is known to make the shoes light in weight.

Mostly the snowshoes comprise of two crampons at the toe, and it is infrequent to see three crampons, but they exist.

But if you plan to visit backcountry on icy freezing surfaces, you will want to take a more in-depth look at the snowshoes for frontier as they have been provided with the row of crampons under the heel of the shoe, which offers excellent traction while moving downhill.

The crampons usually have sharp teeth and are located at the heels of the snowshoes, and they are present on the heels and on the sides for increasing the traction. The heels of the shoe, which contain traction, will slow down the user while the user moves down the slope as the grip on the ground will prevent any accident from happening.

Climbing Bars

The snowshoes also comprise of either the climbing bars or even the heel lifts. If you are considering going on a steady climb on steep terrain, then you can consider purchasing these snowshoes for your ease. They are known to make your life easier with all the benefits that they will provide.

Heel lifts are used with the crampons to enhance the traction. They are known to perform this function efficiently when they are moving up or down the steep terrain. Metal bars form the heel lifts, which work by pushing up under the heel on any such terrain. They are located under your heels to lower the strain and the amount of fatigue that your calves might experience.

Crampons

Crampons are known to deliver traction to the snowshoes, which also form the firm grip of the shoe on the ground, and it has anti-slipping and anti-skidding properties. Strong materials should be used to construct the tooth-like crampons like stainless steel or carbon, which can easily bite through the snow and assure firm grip with the ground.

Crampons work with a mechanism that involves biting in the snow whenever a person will lift their feet. This allows a very smooth and stable ascension with every step taken. The binding of the heel is mostly the place where the crampons are usually placed or even on the sides of the snowshoes for a firm grip and to avoid any accidents from happening. Whenever you are walking sideways, the crampons on the side of the shoe will deliver traction.

1. Heel crampons

They are found on the underside, and they fill snow to lower down the user's speed while moving downhill.

2. Side rails

These are found on the sides, and their work is to reduce the slipping whenever they are traversing down the slope and provide stability.

3. Heel lifts

These are also present in the underside of the shoes, and the wires that are present prevent the strain and fatigue experienced on calves

4. Toe crampons

These are present underside the bindings, and they form a pivot with the feet.

Recommended load

It is of crucial importance to follow the guidelines for the recommended load for the snowshoes. The capacity of the recommended load does the work of translating your weight with the combination of the value of the gear of the snowshoes along with any other items that you will carry around with you.

You will always prefer to carry lightweight, and you will want to take only the essential items along with you. Boot size could be irrelevant for you to choose your perfect snowshoe. Boot size cannot be the only factor to determine whether the snowshoes are perfect for you or not.

But weight load is a determining factor for the perfect fit for the snowshoes. Both weight and length go hand in hand as each measurement has its suggested size. The reason behind this is that the snowshoe's length, frame size, and decking play a role in the distribution of the weight. The weight also affects maneuverability, traction, and floatation. For a better understanding, you can refer to the size list. Just keep in mind the snowshoes will be larger with the increasing weight.

Deck size

The deck size is also an essential part of the shoe because of the robust top of snowshoes. While you are deciding the boots based on the deck, the critical features to keep in mind are material, size. The perfect snowshoes will be able to deliver shock-resistant balance and also stability. The deck of the ideal size will also be able to distribute the weight nicely.

The shoe frame is also the determining feature for the deck size, like whether it will be oval or tapered, and the weight all together is a determining feature for the deck and the frame size.

Value is a crucial factor as it determines the working of the deck and the whole shoe. With the increase in the weight load capacity, the frame and the deck size also increases, which can also be called shoe length.

Decking

The correct size of the deck depends immensely on the right size and perfect material. The ideal shoes for snow are constructed to bear the impact of free decking, which will play a role in providing excellent puncture.

Your decking should be spacious enough, and it should have much strength for absorption and redistribution of the weight without harming the optimum performance of the shoe.

The distribution of weight will support the function, working to make them more stable, controlled, and balanced. The decking is also known as webbing. It is stretched along the frame to provide the shoes with the body and attached for bindings with the boots.

The robust deck construction also helps to reduce the amount of snow that can get into the shoe. The perfect snowshoes are made with plastic or any synthetic material like neoprene because of their durability, resistance, and floatation quality.

Tail

Snowshoes are said to be vital as they highly increase the floatation rate. The snowshoes are constructed along with frames that have the tails integrated, and there are also shoes with modular tails. These tails are attached with the snowshoes to increase the length and the floatation of the snowshoes.

The design with modular tails is favored mostly as it can enhance the versatility of the shoe. The versatility is increased, meaning that if that is attached, the tail's floatation has been improved. If that is not connected, the length is shortened, and the maneuverability is also increased.

This works well where the shoes are required for the snow is soft, and if somehow you do not need the tail anymore, then you can detach these tails to increase the maneuverability.

Compression

By compression, we mean how secure your snowshoes are. This factor is greatly determined by the bindings and the shoe's purpose. There is a massive variety of bindings which is used to enhance the performance of the shoes.

For instance, for running, the snowshoes are required to be light in weight and comparatively smaller. Still, they have well-fitted bindings secure and tight to allow the shod runner safety and maneuverability.

The beginners are recommended to use the ratchet straps and the nylon straps, which are ideal as they offer lightweight and are highly adjustable. Entry-level snowshoeing requires secure and tight binding. They are said to be safe for amateurs and beginners on the rough terrains, which are not that dangerous.

Safety

Snowshoeing is said to a safer sport if all the instructions and the guidelines are followed thoroughly. As snowshoeing is performed in cold weather mostly, you need to be sure that you are wearing clothes that provide proper insulation. You can also add extra accessories to your clothing to increase the warmth and insulation rate.

You need to be aware and vigilant about your surroundings as there is a considerable risk of falling or hitting any obstacles. You can also get lost in the cold weather, so it is suggested for you to adhere to the trail to be on the safer side.

It is required for you to be healthy and strong to accomplish your goal and bear the harsh and cold weather. It is good to know your body's limitations as it will make you wiser and not weak.

FAQs

1. Should I opt for poles when snowshoeing on mountains?

Yes, poles will aid you in your hike when tackling tricky terrain. They provide extra balance, push, and stability.

2. I want to walk on powder snow. Should I opt for broader snowshoes?

Yes, broader snowshoes will provide you with a significant advantage when dealing with powder snow. They help you to maintain proper balance without digging deep in the snow.

Final Verdict

When considering purchasing snowshoes, you should have proper knowledge of all its features. We have prepared a guide that contains every necessary detail about the shoes.

Fitting, weight class, types, you can think of anything, and you will find it in this guide. All you need is to go through the pointers and select an elite pair for yourself.

Happy snowshoeing!!