Attention Snowshoe Shoppers
A guide to selecting the right 'shoes for you
By Jim Joque During the 1950s, Clarence Iverson of Shingleton, located in scenic Upper Peninsula of Michigan, produced and sold his first traditional wood frame snowshoes. At that time, he had very little competition in the snowshoe market, considering they were used most by trappers,
lumberjacks and forest service workers of the northwoods. Little did Iverson know that nearly 40 years later, the demand for snowshoes would explode due to public interest in snowshoeing as a recreational  sport. Buck Hulse of Iverson Snowshoes reported that when he and his family took over the company in 1986, they sold 1,092 pairs of snowshoes. Three years later
during a snowshoe boom, they sold 12,000 pairs in one year. Over this past decade, according to Outdoor Retailer, there has been an annual increase in snowshoeing of 20 to 30 percent each year. And the trend continues. So, if you were shopping for snowshoes and walked into your friendly neighborhood True Value hardware store back in the 1950s, you would find selecting snowshoes to be a relatively
simple task. Most likely there would be one to three styles of traditional shoes hanging on the wall. Not many choices. Today, as you walk into an REI, Gander Mountain or your local sporting goods store with snowshoe shopping on your agenda, you are faced with an overwhelming task of choosing from a myriad of snowshoe styles and brands. According to snowshoe authors Edwards and McKenzie, "one of the
finest aspects of snowshoeing is its simplicity." However, shopping for those snowshoes is not so simple. Most beginning snowshoers have massive jaw drop when they come face to face with a display wall of about 10 to 25 different styles of snowshoes. They are not aware of the technological improvements in recent years. With the onset of winter just around the corner and you
having developed a thirst for an exciting adventure of spending those snowy days hiking on snowshoe trails or bushwacking your way through a winter wonderland, you may soon be going shopping for new snowshoes. Your objective then should be to make snowshoe shopping as painless as possible.
As a snowshoe instructor at a Wisconsin university, I am occasionally asked by snowshoe enthusiasts, "What snowshoes should I buy?" Or,
"What snowshoes should I buy as a gift for my spouse or child?" My answer is usually "I don't know," or "it depends." It's an answer they usually don't expect. However, I don't know, since I am not aware of the many considerations they need to take into account in selecting their own snowshoes or snowshoes for their family members. It depends then on a variety of factors that will result in that individual acquiring the most
appropriate pair of snowshoes for their intended purpose. By researching a little about snowshoe selection, snowshoe shopping can be a positive experience.
Considerations in purchasing snowshoes
Addressing four basic considerations could result in a more satisfying purchase. The first consideration is application. How will you most often be using your snowshoes? Do you plan to use them for recreational walking or running on established trails, for backcountry hiking and
backpacking, or for hiking up a mountain? Your intended use will be a primary factor in your shoe selection process. Many snowshoe companies make snowshoes to fit one or all of the general categories of recreation or fitness (walking and day hiking), aerobic (running, cross training and racing), backcountry (hiking and backpacking) and mountaineering.
Your weight is another important consideration in selecting the right size
snowshoe. Don't reference your morning weight after showering. Be sure to use the weight that includes your winter clothing and boots, a weight I'm sure you would not want to put on your driver's license. Also, add in the weight of your day pack or backpack, should you plan on backcountry travel as a regular snowshoeing activity. Most snowshoe companies provide recommended weights for their specific snowshoe sizes and styles. For example, aluminum frame snowshoes often come in
8X25 inches (recommended for 120 180 pounds), 9X30 (160 220 pounds) and 10X36 (over 200 pounds). The weights will vary depending on the manufacturer. As you can see, knowledge of your weight capacity will be important in selecting the appropriate size snowshoe.
A third consideration is snow condition. What type of snow conditions will you most often be traveling on? Will it be packed snow, such as on a trail, dry powder snow, such as after a fresh northwoods snowfall or as
found in the mountains out West, or dense, heavy snow found after an early spring snowstorm? Snow conditions will vary from the Midwest to western and eastern mountain regions. In considering snow conditions, keep in mind that a larger snowshoe will offer greater floatation on deep powder snow, whereas a smaller snowshoe will be more functional on packed snow.
The last consideration is terrain. What type of terrain do you most often
plan to travel on? Will it be flat open fields or plains, hilly forests and brush area, groomed trails or mountainous regions? There are snowshoe styles available for varying terrain. Longer snowshoes are great for open terrain, where tracking in the snow is needed. Shorter style snowshoes will be more beneficial in hilly and forested areas, where maneuverability around objects such as brush is warranted.
Most reputable snowshoe companies have sizing charts available as a
guide to snowshoe selection. These charts will reference one or more of the considerations just mentioned. Most all companies reference weight. Some reference weight and application, while others also reference snow conditions and/or terrain. Within the reference will be their specific snowshoe style recommendation for the considerations they address. Be sure to always reference the sizing charts before making your selection.
Style and construction of snowshoes
When shopping for your snowshoes, decide whether you want to buy traditional or technical (sometimes called modern or sport) snowshoes. Traditional snowshoes are wood framed with either rawhide or synthetic webbing such as neoprene coated nylon. You will find traditional styles in early paintings of American Indians and explorers wearing snowshoes. Traditionals are the "back to basics" in snowshoes and offer an opportunity to enjoy the aesthetics of snowshoeing as our ancestors did
before us.
Traditional snowshoes come in different shapes and sizes to meet various snow conditions and terrain. Most common are: the bearpaw, a round shoe best suited for hilly and brush areas where a short snowshoe would allow good maneuverability; the modified bearpaw, an oblong oval or stretched out version of the bearpaw, popular as a recreational shoe for on trails, in the woods or in mountainous areas; the Alaskan or cross
country, a long snowshoe providing great floatation on snow and best used in open fields and plains; the Michigan or Maine, a rounded tennis racket like snowshoe, most suitable for deep snow and rolling terrain; and the Ojibwa, a long shoe that comes to a point on both ends, providing better maneuverability in heavy brush and good floatation in deep snow, as once successfully used by the Ojibwa tribes in the past.
Technical snowshoes, first developed in the early 1970s, have come a
long way in the past 30 years. Today these snowshoes usually have aluminum frames with solid synthetic or webbed decks. Some models have plastic molded frames and decks. Rather than looking at styles to fit your intended use, such as you would in selecting traditional snowshoes, consider the construction of technical shoes as it relates to your snowshoeing needs. Construction components mainly include the frame make and symmetry, deck type, binding system and traction system.
First, decide if you want to go with an aluminum frame or with plastic molded frame and deck. Aluminum frames have led the industry for a long time; however, some plastic molded brands are becoming popular, especially in mountaineering. Plastic models do tend to be a little less expensive, but the aluminum frame shoes are known for their outstanding strength and durability.
Symmetry refers to the shape of the snowshoe frame. Symmetrical
snowshoes have the same shape for both left and right feet. Asymmetrical snowshoes are shaped in a curve similar to that of the foot with right and left being shaped differently. This shoe shape form has less surface area then the symmetrical, allowing for a more natural stride, but less floatation. The asymmetrical styles are mostly for running and racing. The symmetrical shape, on the other hand, has greater surface area, thus
greater floatation. They are used for recreation, backcountry and mountaineering.
The deck is the material within the frame. It provides you floatation or the ability to walk on snow. Most aluminum frame decks are solid and made of nearly indestructible synthetics. A coated nylon fabric called Hypalon is the primary material used by many manufacturers. By having more surface on a solid deck than a webbed deck, the technical snowshoe is
able to support more weight than the same size traditional snowshoe.
Bindings hold the snowshoe to your foot. Each year, snowshoe companies come out with new technology in their bindings, making it difficult for the purchaser to make choices. Binding styles will vary using straps, buckles, snaps, ratchets, lacing and quick fit devices. The best approach to selecting bindings is to try them on. The important element in
a binding is that you have control of the snowshoe. Be sure the binding fits your footwear and is comfortable yet secure. Check for ease of entry, adjustment and exit. Adjust them outside in cold weather to be sure you don't become a prisoner in your snowshoes when out on a trail.
Quality technical snowshoes have traction devices. These devices are in the form of toe and heel claws or crampons, and are used for gaining traction in the snow, control on ice, climbing or descending and
traversing across slopes. Claws have serrated teeth about an inch or less in length, while crampons have spikes usually more than an inch. A common error I often see in the Midwest is people purchasing snowshoes with aggressive crampons, mainly because of their powerful appearance. Such devices are suitable for rough terrain and mountains, not for hiking trails in state parks. I recommend the less spiky claw for the recreational snowshoer.
It all seems quite technical, but with a little examination and comparison of snowshoe construction, you can find a good technical snowshoe match for your intended use.
Shopping suggestions
When shopping around for snowshoes, here are some helpful suggestions. Do a little more research than just reading this article. Read a book or two on snowshoeing. There are several recently published books that can be very informative. Some of my favorites are
"Snowshoeing" by Edwards and KcKenzie, "The Essential Snowshoer" by Zwosta, "The Snowshoe Handbook" by McDougall, Snowshoeing: A Trailside Guide by Olmsted, and contributions of the late Gene Prater, "Snowshoeing" (fourth edition, edited by Felkley).
Take a course or workshop through a local school, nature center or retail store, giving you an opportunity to try on different snowshoes and learn
more about the sport. Some snowshoe manufacturers sponsor tryout days when they let you try on their snowshoes at specific retail stores. I purchased my Tubbs recreational snowshoes via a tryout. Always try on snowshoes, and if snow is available, try them outside. Also, consider renting first to get a feel for a particular brand and style of snowshoe. Ask if the cost of renting could be applied to the purchase if you decide to buy.
Talk with sales personnel about their line of snowshoes. Once you read this article and a book or two, you will be able to distinguish between sales persons who know their stuff from those who don't. Additionally, talk with people who snowshoe regularly and ask them about their snowshoes, giving you yet another perspective.
Be sure to reference the snowshoe manufacture's sizing charts. This is the heart of information on selecting your snowshoes. Pick up the
manufacturer's brochure and go online to the their Web site. E mail them with questions or call their service representative with questions. Don't be afraid to ask.
Keep in mind that you are making a modest purchase ranging from about $100 to $300, depending on the type of snowshoe you plan to buy. The cost of snowshoes generally begins at around $100. Many quality recreational and backcountry on trail shoes will range from $120 to
$200. Backcountry off trail and some mountaineering snowshoes run from about $200 to $250 and up to $300 for a high quality mountaineering pair. Snowshoes for running may cost about $200. Children's snowshoes may run about $40 to $50, depending on the brand. There are less expensive snowshoes on the market, but I recommend you consider spending the extra money to buy a quality brand snowshoe that will last.
Since you are investing some money, shop around and compare prices.
Don't feel you have to select from just a few available pairs in a particular store. There are other stores and there is the Internet. However, be sure to calculate in shipping if you go the Internet route. I like to purchase my equipment locally to assure easy return if a problem arises with the merchandise, and for consultation when needed.
To save money, consider buying your snowshoes during a pre season sale offered by some retailers on specific brands. Often you will find up
to 20 percent off during a pre season sale. Or, consider buying at the end of the season when I have seen prices slashed up to 50 percent. I bought my grandchild's Little Bear Grizzlies at a 40 percent discount in March, just in time for her to grow into them the following season.
When you are ready to write out that check or use the infamous plastic card, always inquire about the return policy. You want to be sure that
you can exchange the snowshoes if they are not the right fit for you, or that you can get your money back and go elsewhere, should you not be satisfied with their selections.
Now that you know about snowshoeing and snowshoes and where to go to get more information, you are ready to shop. Do some comparative shopping and get ready for the upcoming snowshoe season. That season is just around the corner as soon as the snow flies, and you will be ready to snowshoe.
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