Costco snowshoes

[timberghost72]

I did a quick search on here and didn't see anything. I was at Costco last weekend and was looking at their snowshoes for $69.00 or so. Does anyone have experience with these? I'm looking at the mediums but may have to get large if I want to carry weight. I have not snowshoed before and wondering if these are decent for the price. Also I have to try and convince the wife to go since I don' t know anyone who snowshoes. So I'm also trying to decide whether to rent or buy.

[farmin4u_98948]

I also hope you get some response on this. I am looking at purchasing some snow snowshoes.

[Todd_ID]

I got the medium ones a couple years ago for Christmas.  They are good for messing around without a pack: day hikes.  I got the bigger ones after trying to carry a pack with them (I weigh 180 and 30# pack).  Don't plan on hunting with them as they are very loud; the plastic sounds like a snow shovel on a driveway every step even in powder.  Get an old fiber set if you plan to try and stay quiet.

[PolarBear]

I was looking at those the other day at Costco but don't know jack about them.  I would like a set to have for shed hunting but not sure what to get.

[turkeyfeather]

We got into snowshoeing several years ago. I will tell you my  from our experience is to spend a little more and get some nicer shoes. We started out with the Wal-Mart sets and ended up not very happy with them. Ended up going to REI and getting the Atlas ones I believe. And they have been fantastic, have no complaints on them.

[boneaddict]

I bought four sets of them last year, outfitting my wife and three girls.   They are pretty nice shoes for the bucks.  Perfect for them.   I have a pair of atlas that are larger as I am bigger than average.    The design and quality of the cost-co ones are good. 

[boneaddict]

If you want to rig for silent running, you are going to have to avoid all the new stuff, even the higher end Atlas are noisy as all get out.  The old web style hunt pretty well.   Anything metal sounds aweful on crust or most snow conditions actually.

[boneaddict]

[boneaddict]

[boneaddict]

[boneaddict]

[scottcrb]

I haven't seen the Costco ones but $70 sounds pretty reasonable if they are built well. Cant go wrong with MSR though.

[timberghost72]

I am at 185# and the medium Costco brand are for 150-200#. So that leaves me with 15# pack or less. Would it be better to buy bigger incase my pack weighs more? How will that affect the performance if I use the large pair but have a small pack? Would it be better to have slightly too big or slightly too small? I don't have plans on overnights or hunting at this time, mostly day trips. Thanks for all the suggestions so far.

[PolarBear]

I'm headed to the one in Lacey to check them out.

[boneaddict]

I am at 185# and the medium Costco brand are for 150-200#. So that leaves me with 15# pack or less. Would it be better to buy bigger incase my pack weighs more? How will that affect the performance if I use the large pair but have a small pack? Would it be better to have slightly too big or slightly too small? I don't have plans on overnights or hunting at this time, mostly day trips. Thanks for all the suggestions so far.

I always shoot for higher rating or bigger.    The downfall to that is cumbersome/more clumsy.  Personally lift is more important.

[TheHunt]

I have 6 pairs of the Costco's.  They are "Good enough" for an enjoyable snow shoe hike. 

Here is what you need to bring with you.  Look at the nuts and such of the shoe.  Make sure you have at least two replacement nuts.  Bring duct tape, knife and Zip ties in case you need to get a shoe fixed and back to the rig. I have not had to fix any of my shoes but I am one of those be prepared people.   

[Zardoz]

I am at 185# and the medium Costco brand are for 150-200#. So that leaves me with 15# pack or less. Would it be better to buy bigger incase my pack weighs more? How will that affect the performance if I use the large pair but have a small pack? Would it be better to have slightly too big or slightly too small? I don't have plans on overnights or hunting at this time, mostly day trips. Thanks for all the suggestions so far.

I always shoot for higher rating or bigger.    The downfall to that is cumbersome/more clumsy.  Personally lift is more important.

  I snow shoed quite a bit when I lived in Colorado. I would recommend you try renting a pair before you buy if you plan to use them a lot.  I prefer the wooden style with the tail because I'm a big guy  and I like blazing my own trails. It all depends on what you plans are.

[KFhunter]

I have about 6 pair of the Costco snowshoes,  they are great for occasional use by wife/kids to enjoy a nice outing for the day - their intended purpose.

They SUCK for hunting and cross country trail busting in rough country with timber and creek crossings. 


I reccomend MSR ascent - those things will stick to a tree bark when you need to step on a tree to hop over it.  You won't "ski" down into a creek drainage and you can actually walk up a steep hill without sliding backwards.   Get the tails if your a heavy dude with pack on.  I got the biggest ones they make + tails and I don't find them hard to steer.  I cross country in the deeper stuff and still sink a bit more than I'd like with a pack/gun on my back.  The MSR are also very nice for sidhilling - yes you can sidehill in snowshoes 

After having the MSR shoes I won't buy anything with a tube frame again.



Don't forget poles,  very nice to balance when you're stepping over a log or something.  Or if you are winded you can lean on em 

[NumaJohn]

I'm with KFhunter on this one: the MSR Ascent is a nice snowshoe.

They are pricy, but in my case, I bought a barely-scratched pair at one of REI's scratch-and-dent sales.

One thing to remember about snow shoes is that the little heel bar only comes on some models. If you are actually planning to do much walking on an incline, it's nice to have those lifts. But for regular family outings, the Costco shoes are probably just fine.

John

[CAMPMEAT]

I've had TUBBS before and liked them...

[dscubame]

I have 6 pairs of the Costco's.  They are "Good enough" for an enjoyable snow shoe hike. 

Here is what you need to bring with you.  Look at the nuts and such of the shoe.  Make sure you have at least two replacement nuts.  Bring duct tape, knife and Zip ties in case you need to get a shoe fixed and back to the rig. I have not had to fix any of my shoes but I am one of those be prepared people.   

Thanks.  Good advice to add to the pack when needed.  Say a little bag to throw in when needed.

[ICEMAN]

I have 6 pairs of the Costco's.  They are "Good enough" for an enjoyable snow shoe hike. 

Here is what you need to bring with you.  Look at the nuts and such of the shoe.  Make sure you have at least two replacement nuts.  Bring duct tape, knife and Zip ties in case you need to get a shoe fixed and back to the rig. I have not had to fix any of my shoes but I am one of those be prepared people.   

Thanks.  Good advice to add to the pack when needed.  Say a little bag to throw in when needed.

Totally agree with this. I keep my shoe repair parts attached to my shoes, I include zip ties, braided nylon string, plus heavy copper wire. I doubt I could get duct tape to warm up enough to become flexible, and the shoe deck tacky enough to have tape stick.

[Jingles]

I have a pair of Redfeather Blackhawks that I have had for better than 15 years and am extremely pleased with them. A big plus is they are rebuildable and carry a warranty, that I have NOt had to use. They are not the quietest shoes but they keep me up even on powder even when carrying a 30 pound pack and rifle and dragging a yote. Yes they might be a little more expensive but if you only have to buy them once every 20 - 25 years end up well worth the money. If you are looking at getting shoes do yourself a favor and get larger than you think you need because when you start adding clothes and packs you will find you need the larger ones to stay afloat, so if you are 185 and the shoes say to 200- get the next size larger JMO

[Skyvalhunter]

Their snowshoes are considered good without all the bells and whistles. Not in the same class as MSR's but will last for the average weekend snowshoe person out there.