Snowshoes?

[actionshooter]

My wife has been asking what I want for x-mas. After alot of thinking, I have never owned a decent pair.
   I'm a big boy at 250#, Does anyone have brand or model they would recomend?

[Dansk]

Actionshooter-

I definitely recommend you buy something built for hunting.

I bought a pair from cabelas - the alaskan guide model- and absolutely love them.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0010867615497a&navCount=2&podId=0010867&parentId=cat350006&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=froogle-cat350006-cat350006&catalogCode=UJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat350006&hasJS=true

My buddy has a similar pair of shoes from REI, and both were built by the same company (atlas I think), however mine are MUCH more substantial.  The common recreational shoes are great if you are sticking to the trail, but the minute you get off a nice flat surface and start sidehilling, or try to walk over a pile of brush, you will wish you spent the extra $$ for a heavy duty pair.

3 things that are a must (IMO):

1. get shoes with a solid mounted pivoting rod - don't get one with the rubber band style pivot- too much play in rough terrain- my buddy kept tipping over sideways (he had the band style), while I buldozed my way up no problems (I had the pivot rod).

2. Do not pay attention to the weight to length guide.  I weigh 180, and on 30" shoes still sunk over a foot or more in dry powder.  I called the mfr and they said the weight guide includes all your close and gear, and is rated on fairly compact or frozen snow.  You should go 10x36, or more.  I was only carrying a small daypack and my muzzleloader...

3. Get the hard plastic decking.  My buddies shoes were made of a rubber coated cordura or something, and sticks, rocks, etc kept poking through the decking .

just my $.02... 

[actionshooter]

Hey, Thanks for the response!! Those are some good thoughts, didn't know about the pivot rod, looks like thats the way to go.

[jackelope]

i'm using the msr denali's with the extension tails. i'm 6'4" and 240 and they work well with a pack on.
great traction too.
http://www.msrgear.com/snowshoes/denali.asp

[ICEMAN]

Are these for a new sport or to replace your old ones? 

[Dansk]

i'm using the msr denali's with the extension tails. i'm 6'4" and 240 and they work well with a pack on.
great traction too.
http://www.msrgear.com/snowshoes/denali.asp

Yeah- x2 on the MSR's.  Those are the real deal.  You definitely get what you pay for in snowshoes, and the MSR's are near the top. 

[HawkenBob]

The MSR's are hard to beat. Sidehilling is awesome. Traction is awesome! Running in them is easy. First time I tried em was from Denny creek to the lookout on Granite. These things handled awesome! Im 280 and no tail extensions. Bout 30 pounds on the back. Id never go back to conventionals.

[actionshooter]

Are these for a new sport or to replace your old ones? 

Some new ones will replace an old pair I borrowed   



 Those MSR sound good, look a little strange, but sound good. I have a lot of faith in MSR gear also.  Who would have those besides REI?

[ICEMAN]

I have had some Atlas low end shoes for the past seven years, and have put alot of miles on them without breakage, and I am a heavy MFer, 300+. I am also looking for a replacement set soon, and like the looks of the Cabelas offerings. Their transalaska looks good, but I will probably ask for the OUtfitter Pro.... My kids both have the Alaskan outfitters and they are great. Problem is my Atlas shoes havent broken yet, and I am a cheap ass and want to wait till I am postholing on one leg before I order up the new pair....

[ICEMAN]

Man I love snow....

[Dansk]

Are these for a new sport or to replace your old ones? 

Some new ones will replace an old pair I borrowed   



 Those MSR sound good, look a little strange, but sound good. I have a lot of faith in MSR gear also.  Who would have those besides REI?

Actionshooter-

You will find a few on craigslist that go for hundreds less than new... you just need to be patient and wait- then jump on them the same day.  I watched craigslist and ebay for a few months last year, but had didn't have the luxury of time and had to execute on the Cabela's shoes on my the way to elk camp.  After the season I saw numerous MSR's- mostly from people who bought new, used once, then had buyers blues and just wanted to cash out for A LOT less.  Good luck.

[jackelope]

i bought mine and my wife's atlas shoes from the michigan snowshoe center...


http://www.snowshoecenter.com/Shop/?fuseaction=manufacturer&CategoryID=239&ManufacturerID=116

great customer service and prices are great too.

[actionshooter]

Ice, Cool pics I haven't snow camped in a couple of years and want to get out this year. What are the sleds called? A paulk?

[ICEMAN]

Whoohooo! 


Sleds are officially called a "pulk", but the ones we pull are actually just snow sleds. TheY haul gear great, but we have broken a few of them when jumping them later at camp! 

[actionshooter]

     I feel like I won a prize!!!