Snowshoe Question

[Tiger1358]

Never owned or used snowshoes before, just saw one for a really good price, but it says that it's for 250lbs or above. I'm 155+backpack and stuff, so probably 180 max in most cases. The size is 9.5x36inch. So does size really matter in this case if it's rated for heavier people?

[Fl0und3rz]

The weight rating is kind of a loose guideline, usability will depend on how loose or packed the snow is, in comparison to the rating, and even between manufacturers, similar sized snowshoes will have different weight ratings.

[3dvapor]

36 inch is a really big snow shoe.  Your weight doesn't require anything close to that size.

[Tiger1358]

Yea, according to the guidelines, my size should be 8.25" x 25, but the one that's on sale is 9.5x36, that's why i was wondering if there are any negative effects from big snowshoes

[Fl0und3rz]

It'd be better for powder.  It'd be more work than necessary for non-powder.

[jackmaster]

Your legs will get tired but if you use them they will surely get in shape  if you end up in that type of snow where you depress down pretty flgoid and it sticks you will get a really good workout good luck, your gonna love snow shooing , it is way better than walking in it up to your knees that's for sure..

[Okanagan]

Of all of the ratings of any equipment in the world, the weight rating for snowshoes has to be the most useless.  If you are staying on groomed trails or heavy coastal snow in spring etc. get the tidy small size recommended for your weight.  If you plan to get off trail in deep powder in timber etc. you will be glad you got the larger ones.   

[Tiger1358]

This is the set of snowshoes I want to get. $35 for this set sounds like a good deal. I wish they had my exact size though

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/guide-gear-flex-trek-snowshoes?a=2142211

[Jonathan_S]

As mentioned the biggest variable is the snow itself. Small shoes are little better than boots. I think everyone who shoes should have one oversize pair in case they get into deep dry powder.

[Okanagan]

Jonathan_S sounds like a voice of experience.

Tales of snowshoe experiences from the past two winter predator calling seasons may have value to prospective purchasers.  I am 225 lbs. and currently using 30"x9" snowshoes that were a gift to me.

1.  I fell through lightly crusted waist deep powder.  I lay on my back, head downhill, a hefty day pack on my back and both snowshoes extended under the crust.  Any attempt to get up pushed my hand armpit deep in the snow.  Trying to roll over tangled the snowshoes.  I used my rifle as a brace against the snow plus managed to stomp and pack out a pit in the snow wide enough to get up, but then had to climb out of it.  It was annoying but I got to laughing when I told my son about it later.

2.  On the same foray above, I post-holed about every third step in those snow conditions.  Post-holing is bad, compound bad with a snowshoe on your foot.  When I shot a critter I left the animal and rifle in the woods, snowshoed 250 yards to leave my day-pack in my vehicle, returned to the critter, tied it inside a large trash bag and dragged it on top of the snow to my vehicle rather than try to carry it.

3.  Tracking a cougar in thigh deep snow I went up a fairly steep slope and fell through snow covered brush up to my armpits.  What a mess to untangle snowshoes from brush and get back on top of the snow when every push down merely deepened my predicament.

Two more from earlier years.

4.  On one of my first snowshoe hunts I got hung up on a down log.  I stepped over the log with my leading snowshoe and at that moment my trailing foot/shoe punched into the void under the log, in snow four feet deep on a hillside.  I fell into deep snow with one foot hung up over the log which was now above my head.  The upper snowshoe was snagged on a limb on the off side of the log from me.  A friend with me helped me by unbuckling the top snowshoe.  I still don't know how I would have gotten out of the predicament alone.

5.  Hunting elk on a late permit near Wenatchee I watched a 5x5 bull elk stroll on top of crusted snow five feet deep.  Obviously he weighed less than 75 lbs. according to the ratings.

I am researching and talking with a manufacturer about a ski/snowshoe hybrid that will slide on level and downhill and have aggressive claws to climb uphill, and is plenty long enough to keep me on top of deep powder.  Problem is, there are few customers for such an item.  The large market money is in small nimble snowshoes for town folks who want to play on top of groomed snow trails for a few minutes.

[kselkhunter]

I have had to use snowshoes on late season backcountry hunts before, and I regularly use them for winter exercise in the wilderness areas.  The density of the snow, and heft of your backpack determine how much surface area (or weight rating) is needed.  For me the MSR snowshoes that have the tails that can be added for extra weight or less dense snow work well for me.  Mine is the older model Denali, and I have tails that I can snap on that add an extra 8" in length to the shoe.  The new generation is called the Evo, and I believe they have two lengths of tails that can be added so you can vary even more to match the snow quality and weight loading.  Some of MSR's web based designs also have tails that can be added. They're also extremely useful if in icy conditions on slopes.  If you're only 155lbs the factory snowshoes will be fine for you.

[Weehunt66]

If you're looking to purchase the one in your inserted link. I would pass. I have a pair constructed similar with the webbing riveted to the aluminum frame. I have had to replace the rivets at some point every season. I had to do a trail repair last year and really struggled to walk out in deep snow.

[SemperFidelis97]

The msr snowshoes are hard to beat for versatility.  My wife, and I both run 22" lightning trails, and being able to add tails when snow conditions change is priceless.  You can rent shoes at white pass, and paradise spend a couple hours in them, and that can give you an idea what features are important to you to get started.  Good shoes are going to be abit more expensive, but worth every penny in my opinion.

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