Snowshoes (hey, Q, you should watch this thread...heh)? (Read 913 times)

For the last few Winters I have been intrigued by snowshoeing as a way to get out and get some aerobic cross-training in, but have never tried it. I've done a couple of trail runs in recent weeks and really enjoy it, but know that once the snow gets deep there will not be trail "running" so much as trail "post-holing" (right, Q? ). Anyhow, can anyone recommend a brand or style of snowshoe? I'm guessing I'd be looking for something lighter weight and maybe with a smaller profile for faster movement...? I don't want to spend a ton, at least not for a first pair.

Screw the snowshoes, run nekkid!!!

You first!

I have redfeathers. They are OK. If I had to do it again I might have gone with the dions or atlas. The main thing is the bindings. Snowshoe running can be a good, but incredibly difficult strengthening aerobic workout.

Consider cross country skis too.

Zoom ,I have way ,way back in the day taught snowshoeing ,ha! old days it was a challange to use the wood ,leather shoes .Anyways nowadays ,the shoes are super easy to use .When you buy them you will need to size them ,for your weight ,ie . the more you weight the larger you need to "float " on top of the snow .The good stores will have charts .next look at the bindings ,keep it strong ,secure and simple .Think if you can put them on with mittens on . Look at the "toe cord " this is where the ball of your foot rests .It may be a flat strip of webbing or it may be a full mechanical piviot .You want the full piviot ,like on the MSR brand .The entry level shoes from Tubbs ,Beans ,etc will likely be flat material .The piviot allows the shoe to droop behind you ,rather than flip (think big beach flip- flops ) .Last look at the crampons ,the alum. spikes that dig into crusty snow ,agian I like the Msr's for this feature ,but I like tough hilly trails .Honestly the price break is around $100/120and up to get the better features but deals are out there early and late in the season.If your sticking to fairly level parks and woodlands ,not such a big deal .Last ,let me nag you with what I have taught in my class's ,to my customers ,and My boy Scouts ,You can get deep into the woods with snowshoes and in the winter that means you can get into deep do-do ! always bring basic survival gear .Not to scare you because as you might guess I think it is one of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors there is .If I can help in any other 'shoeing questions let me know .

In the LL Bean catalogue that just came there are some snowshoes that are clip-in- sort of like bike pedals. You have to get the shoes/boots that go with them, but the whole deal looks pretty neat. I would want to hear from someone who has used them, though. The biggest pain about snowshoes was always getting yourself into them with all the straps, buckles etc. (in case anyone wonders how someone (me) who relocated from Texas to Tennessee is a snowshoe expert, think Colorado vacations!!!!)

Do you need special boots to wear with snowshoes ?

Why don't you rent a few different types to see how they workout? I love to snowshoe but rarely get the chance as it's a 4 hour drive to Tahoe for me. When we go up there to ski I always spend the morning snowshoeing and then the afternoon downhilling.