![\"Snowshoeing\"](\"https:\/\/explore.globalcreations.com\/theblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Snowshoeing.jpg\")
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Snowshoeing is a great winter activity for families or anyone that wants to extend the hiking season through the winter. \u00a0It takes very little skill to use modern snowshoes. \u00a0They are designed to fit your feet and not interfere with your\u00a0normal walking gait. \u00a0Further, \u00a0the cost of getting into snowshoeing is much lower than getting into sking.<\/p>\n
The point to using snowshoes is that in many parts of the world\u00a0the snow gets very deep. \u00a0To keep from sinking into the snow you will typically need something bigger than your feet to spread your weight across a larger area. \u00a0Skis, cross country and downhill, do that, but they take some skill for safe and efficient use. \u00a0Snowshoes do that without making you deal with those long skinny boards attached to your feet.<\/p>\n
In this article we have provided photos of some\u00a0snowshoes to illustrate the discussion. \u00a0If any of the snowshoes shown look like they would work for you, just click the image to learn more.<\/p>\n Snowshoes come in a variety of shapes and sizes. \u00a0Generally the style of snowshoe depends upon the terrain where\u00a0you will be using it, the type of snow, your weight and your style of snowshoeing.<\/p>\n Sometimes snowshoes are marketed that are specially designed for women. \u00a0These tend to be narrower and have bindings (the part that attaches your foot to the deck) that are designed for smaller feet. \u00a0 There are also unisex and men’s snowshoes, so use that as a cue when you are getting your first pair. \u00a0Getting a properly sized deck and properly fitted binding will help you walk along without sinking in too deep. \u00a0That makes the whole adventure easier and more fun.<\/p>\n Snowshoes come with cleats on the bottom that dig into the snow as you walk. \u00a0This keeps you from slipping around as you would walking on a flat board – or on skis. \u00a0These cleats are designed in various ways to\u00a0work better on different types of terrain. \u00a0Normally snowshoes come with a set of cleats under the foot. \u00a0They work great on most terrain. \u00a0If you want to snowshoe steep terrain or are snowshoeing on ice, \u00a0you will want more traction. \u00a0Snowshoes designed for steeper terrain will have additional cleats positioned around the bottom of the deck. \u00a0For the steepest terrain, some snowshoes include a heel lift mechanism that changes the angle between your foot and the deck to make travel easier.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Redfeather Hike 25 – Woman’s<\/p><\/div>\n If you are\u00a0just getting into snowshoeing, \u00a0snowshoes designed for flat or hilly, but not mountain, terrain are the way to go. \u00a0They tend to be less expensive than the specially designed mountain\u00a0styles. \u00a0I don’t usually snowshoe on truly mountainous terrain. \u00a0Even at mountainous places like Crater Lake National Park\u00a0I am\u00a0typically snowshoeing on a snow covered road that could best be described as hilly.<\/p>\n I use an old pair of \u00a0Atlas Model 833 in their hiking series. \u00a0They are designed to accommodate up to 250 pounds and they have cleats under both the toe and heel to work well going both uphill (where the toe cleats do the work) and downhill (where the heel cleats do the work). \u00a0This particular model is obsolete. \u00a0That’s probably\u00a0a good thing because the reviews suggest that the binding strap\u00a0will break the next time I use them. \u00a0We’ll see.<\/p>\n The Redfeather Hike 25<\/a>\u00a0snowshoes\u00a0shown above have an aluminum frame, can hold up to 175 pounds and are designed for the typically narrower stride and smaller feet of women. They have cleats on the toe and heel, so they will \u00a0be good for hilly terrain. \u00a0The Redfeather Hike 30<\/a>\u00a0is the men’s version of this snowshoe. \u00a0The major\u00a0difference is\u00a0that the deck is 30 by 8 inches vs the women’s 25 by 7.5 inches, so it can carry up to 220 pounds.<\/p>\n Redfeather Alpine Ghost<\/p><\/div>\n For more advanced users, snowshoes have more features and get more expensive. \u00a0The Redfeather Alpine Ghost<\/a> shown to the right is a unisex model. \u00a0It looks different from the Redfeather Hike in more than just its color. \u00a0The most obvious difference is the V-tail that is designed to be more\u00a0maneuverable when the snow gets really deep.<\/p>\n The snowshoe on the right in both photos shows the bottom side. \u00a0If you look closely, you can see that the toe cleat (the obvious teeth) is similar on both models, but there are a couple more cleats on the advanced model just towards the tail from the frontmost cleats. That adds more traction in the front. \u00a0 The heel cleat on the Alpine Ghost is different and is designed for better grip as well. \u00a0At 30 by 9 inches it is even larger than the men’s version of the Hike model.<\/p>\n Again, if you look closely, \u00a0you can see a metal rod in the shape of a rectangle just behind the heel position on the top side of the Alpine Ghost. \u00a0When snowshoeing on steep terrain, you can \u00a0flip this up and it becomes a heel lift. \u00a0It is designed to keep the heel at a 15\u00b0 angle to the deck and more parallel to the ground when on a steep slope.<\/p>\n Atlas Race<\/p><\/div>\n There are also snowshoes designed especially for running. The Atlas Race<\/a>, shown to the right\u00a0is one such snowshoe. \u00a0Like high end running shoes, \u00a0these models get rather expensive.<\/p>\n They are designed to be very light and very strong, two attributes that, when combined, run the cost up considerably. \u00a0The special aluminum frame and the titanium cleats contribute to both the lower weight and the higher cost.<\/p>\n They are designed for flat ground and serious runners that just can’t stop even in the snow.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When snowshoeing you really need to have adjustable poles. \u00a0If you have trekking poles you use in the summer, they should do. \u00a0Just install the baskets that came with them if you haven’t already. \u00a0If you need to get a pair, \u00a0there are many to choose from at all price levels<\/a>.<\/p>\n The bindings on these snowshoes will fit virtually any kind of boot. \u00a0You want boots rather than shoes to keep your ankles covered if you are in very deep snow. \u00a0Whether you use boots or shoes,\u00a0you can add gaiters<\/a> to keep the snow out. \u00a0You also want boots that will keep your feet warm and dry. \u00a0I use the same boots that\u00a0I hike in in the summer. \u00a0I make sure the leather is well waterproofed. \u00a0They have a Gore-Tex lining that seems to work well. \u00a0Then it’s just a matter of wearing warm wool socks.<\/p>\n Beyond that, you need to dress\u00a0for the weather and your activity level. \u00a0Like cross country skiing, you will be getting a lot of exercise and may find yourself warmer than you expect. \u00a0Dress in layers and carry a backpack to stash unneeded clothing.<\/p>\n If you can, rent some snowshoes before you buy any. \u00a0That will give you a chance to try the sport to see if it appeals to you. Then, start out with the less expensive models designed for flat to hilly country. Get some designed to carry your weight and you’ll be ready to go. \u00a0Although snowshoes make\u00a0it easy to walk in the snow, \u00a0they do force you to keep your feet wider apart than you normally would. \u00a0This will introduce you to some weak muscles that need to be strengthened. \u00a0Start with short distances and work to longer distances as you get into shape.<\/p>\n![\"Snowshoes\"](\"https:\/\/explore.globalcreations.com\/theblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Snowshoes.jpg\")
As mentioned in the\u00a0Winter at Crater Lake<\/a> article, \u00a0you might be able to walk on top of the snow when it is iced over and still cold, but as soon as the sun comes up it starts to soften. \u00a0By afternoon you will find yourself sinking up\u00a0to your thighs on the same\u00a0snow you could walk on earlier. \u00a0If you want to get exhausted fast, \u00a0try walking on snow like that without snowshoes!<\/p>\nSnowshoe Shapes and Sizes<\/h1>\n
![\"Snowshoeing\"](\"https:\/\/explore.globalcreations.com\/theblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/snowshoer.jpg\")
As you may have noticed, \u00a0you tend to sink into powder snow further than into wet or packed snow. \u00a0If you intend to snowshoe on soft snow you will need a snowshoe with a larger deck (the part that contacts the ground); likewise if you weigh more you will want a larger deck. \u00a0Kids and smaller adults can get by with a smaller deck.<\/p>\nBeginning<\/h1>\n
![\"Redfeather](\"https:\/\/explore.globalcreations.com\/theblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/RedfeatherWomen.jpg\")
<\/a>Advanced<\/h1>\n
![\"Redfeather](\"https:\/\/explore.globalcreations.com\/theblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/AlpineGhost.jpg\")
<\/a>Snowshoes for Running<\/h1>\n
![\"Atlas](\"https:\/\/explore.globalcreations.com\/theblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/AtlasRace.jpg\")
<\/a>Accessories<\/h1>\n
Conclusion<\/h1>\n