One Small Step: Tips on Buying Snowshoes

By John Million

With the huge variety of models and types of snowshoes available on the market today, just sorting through the options and picking out the right pair for your situation can be the most challenging part of the process.

Where will I go? What will I do? These questions are the keys to zeroing in on the right type of snowshoe to best match your needs. Considering the terrain that you will likely face in your snowshoe travels and the kind of activities you see yourself doing will guide you in the right direction. The type of snowshoe that will work best on groomed cross-country ski center trails is far different than what you need to conquer your winter 46. And the quickly growing snowshoe running and racing sector is a whole other specific area of endeavor.

Historically snowshoes were made of wood frames with rawhide webbing. Two frame styles that survived into recent times were the beavertail, with a rounded nose and ends that met in a long tail, and the bearpaw, which was rounded both front and back in a shorter and wider pattern. In the 1970s snowshoe technology took a major step forward with the advent of metal alloy frames and solid fabric decking. These made for a lighter, shorter, and narrower snowshoe that opened up winter travel by foot to all. The addition of flexible bindings and crampon-like cleats only augmented the versatility of the newer designs.

You will find three general categories of snowshoes at your local outfitter. Recreational snowshoes are designed for a variety of conditions and are well suited for walking and hiking on groomed trails. They will generally have a solid deck of composite plastic and a binding that is fixed and does not flex a great deal when you step for a natural stride. Adventure or hiking models have a more aggressive cleat pattern and may have a flexible binding and decks made out of neoprene or hypalon, a cold-resistant rubber compound that is also used to construct whitewater rafts. The pivoting binding allows the snowshoe to shed snow and for you to dig your toe cleat into the terrain while climbing. Backcountry or mountaineering designs will incorporate full crampon type cleating and be laterally stabilized for crossing side slopes. The V-shaped heel cleats will allow you to brake while negotiating steep descents.

The size you choose will be determined by your weight with a loaded pack and the type of snow you expect to encounter. A longer snowshoe will provide more flotation, with a greater surface area to help you stay atop the snow, and is advantageous in powder or freshly fallen snow. A shorter snowshoe will allow for more maneuverability in stepping over and around obstacles. In the northeast, we usually worry more about ice than powder, so depending upon your probable destinations, the type of cleats and bindings each model has may well be the differentiating factor for selection. Most manufacturers now offer women’s and kids’ sizes as well. Reputable specialty outdoor retailers will have staff well trained in fitting you to the correct length snowshoe. 

The addition of a pair of trekking/ski poles will aid your progress and provide stability.

John Million is ADK's deputy executive director. The above information was adapted from an article in Adirondac.