Does anyone use snow shoes?

[grundy53]

I was just wondering. I'm going to buy some because it snowed so much during my hunt in Idaho this past season (Thanksgiving week) that it made it almost impossible to walk very far in the snow let alone effectively still hunt. It kind of ruined the trip for me. I don't want this to happen again but I know nothing about snow shoes can anyone shed any light on the subject for me?

[ORCA_SIX]

Well, there are several kinds of snowshoes for sure. Most of the them are pretty good. I personally use these. 

http://www.backcountry.com/msr-lightning-ascent-snowshoe-cas0488  You can get them at REI, etc.

What you need to decide is what kind of snow you usually travel in and how much you weigh with gear. The heavier you are the likelier it is that you want longer snowshoes to carry your weight so you don't sink. But, if you are constantly on harder compact snow, you might be able to get away with a little bit shorter ones. Longer equals slower travel and traversing while shorter usually equals more speed and maneuverability. You can probably get away without poles, but they are very light and are great for traversing or pushing yourself back up when falling in deep snow. If you are doing some serious Backcountry snowshoeing for game, there are a bunch of other things to consider for gear and personal safety. Especially if you are working in the mountains. Avalanche gear is a must, along with knowing how to use it all and having a partner or two to dig you out. Can get into more specifics if you want on what I use, avalanche training, survivability. Getting use to the snowshoes takes about 5 minutes.

[scottcrb]

i have the lightning accent by msr too and are great shoes. im a bigger guy 6' 250 and i wouldn't want to go much smaller especially if its soft at all or you are carrying much weight. definitely stick with MSR.

[Special T]

I have limited experience with Snow shoes, Ihave an older MSR that is all plastic with steel teeth that is designed more for glacier travel than true snow shoeing... I know of people who have made thier own out of conduit and webbing. They were cheap to build, provided several people did it at the same time. Common practice for boyscout troops. If you have no problem dropping 2 bills for the best the accent looks pretty good. Here is a start if your a tight wad like me.  http://www.survivaltopics.com/survival/how-to-make-snowshoes/

[WAcoyotehunter]

I wear them a lot.  I have two pairs- for warmer, buttery snow I us smaller shoes.  I like Atlas brand (approx) 8"x25".  They have an old school binding that is durable and reliable.  

For deep powdery snow I wear cabelas 8"x30".  that extra surface area helps me stay on top in difficult snow.  The cabelas ratcheting system is not that reliable.  I have had one set break already.

I weigh ~225 and those shoe sizes work pretty nicely for me.  

[jackelope]

I use them...I use the MSR EVO Ascents with the tails. I'm 6'4" and 235 so I have to have the tail extensions on for them to be effective, especially with a pack on.

[whacker1]

Grundy - keep in mind as someone else said to buy over-size for light snow or based on the weight you carry on you.  factor in for pack, rifle or bow, clothes, water, etc.  I am 240 + pack and rifle at 270+, so the fat kid option will be my next shoe.  I have short ones now and they are helpful, but not helpful enough.
 

[jackelope]

I've pretty much decided if I put a 60# pack on my back they don't make a snow shoe rated for that much weight. 
If they did I might upgrade.

[grundy53]

At 6'1" 245 I'm with you guys  in the size department. Thanks for the info. You guys are very helpful.

[MikeWalking]

MSR Denali Llama for me. 110$ back in the early '90's.  Great for a day hiker and I have used them for week+ long trips, back in my "lighter" days, on heavy wet mid season snow. I've found with the add on tails they just nose dive more.  The weight is too far forward.  I haven't seen any that will support much over 250lb.  I had a boss once, about 6'4-6'5 280+? he made some good ones from aluminum tubes picked out of Boeing Surplus.  When my unit from Ft. Lewis went to Alaska we used some wood/rawhide monsters. I could carry a 50lb pack and my M60 and float ok. Then again I was 155lbs then too

I'd buy the biggest I could.  I also recommend poles.  You will fall without them. Getting ups a bitch

[ORCA_SIX]

Some of them are rated for 350 but I think that is just weight on the shoe. Once you start getting into that deep powdery stuff, it can get really ridiculous. You will definitely burn some calories. You can also look at Splitboards if you snowboard or Radonde if you ski. Lots of surface area to keep you afloat and you can cruise down the hill in fashion. Just put on some skins and up you go.

[whacker1]

yes, some shoes are rated to 300 and 350.  10 inch by 36 inch long typically.  some variations of that, but they are big and bulky, but should keep the bigger guys afloat.

[ICEMAN]

Ok, so far I win the big guy contest at over 330lbs.

I have used the same pair of Atlas 10 x 36" shoes for probably 10 years. Normal old fashioned elcrappo bindings. they work fine, but whenthey break I will switch to Cabelas Outfitter with the ratcheting bindings, as they are work far better than my rubber band heel strap type...  Wife and kids all have the ratcheting style and they work really well.

Make sure to put a repair kit on your shoe. Some wire ties, some copper wire, etc....may come in handy. I have carried this kit on mine for years and it has kept all breaks away...havent had to use it yet!

[bow-n-head]

I have a pair of Atlas. I try to stay off of them as much as possible. Snow has to be right.

[Machias]

Get a pair of MSR bindings and put them on the white military snowshoes, awesome!  They were designed for guys carrying heavy packs. 

[luvtohnt]

I got a pair from Costco, I think they are Yukon Charlie's, rated for 300#. I used them on a winter camp trip and my total weight was 340#, they worked great on the packed trails and even better in the powder. I only paid 79.99 for them to that makes it an even better deal. The bindings are not the greatest but if they break I will try to upgrade to the better style. Costco usually only has them October-December but you can find them on-line as well. I bought the 930 mountain profile. Also you may want to give some rental places a call to see if they are selling any of their inventory.

Brandon

[WAcoyotehunter]

hey Grundy-  After posting i thought about the snowshow sizes I mentioned and realized i messed up.  After double checking, my smaller shoes are 10x30 and the larger ones are 10x36".  Sorry. 

[MikeWalking]

Glad to find some bigger snowshoes mentioned here for us bigger, uh heavy packing guys..

[Gutpile]

I bought these from cabelas and it was the best thing I ever did. the snow on this hunt was crusted over and exhausing to walk in without them. In fact at the time of this pic my partner "who doesn't need snowshoes" was sitting in the truck napping with his brand new $500.00 foxpro because he wore himself out. 

Thanks again Iceman for the tips.

 

[ICEMAN]

Looking good! Can't wait for mine to break so I can upgrade....here are my moldy oldies' in use...

[rasbo]

dams there are some big boys shoeing,maybe strap on a couple of old Buick hoods Gutpile those are good looking shoes,you have way to many toys

[GoldTip]

Looking good! Can't wait for mine to break so I can upgrade....here are my moldy oldies' in use...

Ice, I've got the 10x36's with the cabela's ratcheting strap bindings and have been extremely pleased with them, and with pack(hydration) and rifle or other I push well over the 300lb limit as well.  You will be happy if you upgrade.

[ICEMAN]

Looking good! Can't wait for mine to break so I can upgrade....here are my moldy oldies' in use...

Ice, I've got the 10x36's with the cabela's ratcheting strap bindings and have been extremely pleased with them, and with pack(hydration) and rifle or other I push well over the 300lb limit as well.  You will be happy if you upgrade.

Cant wait!!!  Damn Atlas shoes wont break...   

On second thought, didn't atlas manufacture those Cabela shoes? Thought I saw the atlas logo on them last time I checked them out...

[Gutpile]

dams there are some big boys shoeing,maybe strap on a couple of old Buick hoods Gutpile those are good looking shoes,you have way to many toys

I like toyz

[Skyvalhunter]

Can't go wrong with MSR Lightning Ascent. It all depends on what you are going to use them for. If you are just going to go for a joy walk down a logging road then just make sure you getting the right size for your weight. But if you are going up steep hills, sidehill or different snow types then you will want to purchase a different type. Mine have elevators for climbing and ice grips for sidehilling and icy conditions.

[MikeWalking]

Mine have elevators for climbing and ice grips for sidehilling and icy conditions.

Are those elevators the bars that flip up under the heels?  Years back  I was headed up Commonwealth basin and met a guy from MSR that had a pair of Denali's with those.  I kinda worried about durability..

[ORCA_SIX]

They are solid. Wont break. At least mine have not in 4 years. When you are going up some really steep deep snow they are great. It allows you to bring your foot down on your heel, but about 4-5 inches higher up from the base of the snowshoe so when you are walking up a good incline you use less muscles and have less space to travel for your heel to make contact. If you are sure you are just walking on trails that are usually pretty flat, then maybe something to skip, especially if weight is your concern. Ounces add up to be pounds.

[CastleRocker]

Get a pair of MSR bindings and put them on the white military snowshoes, awesome!  They were designed for guys carrying heavy packs.

 

I just bought a third pair out of the Sportsman's Guide for $30.  They will take some weight.  I'm about 260 and with a packboard/meat, I'm over the max of any snowshoe I've seen.  I've had mine bend, but I just straightened them out later. 

Like Iceman said...zip ties, and copper wire are your best friend.  I just zip-tie a small "repair kit" on the front of each pair.  I also made a center "cleat" like the older MSR Denali's had.  It works well on the icy stuff.

[AWS]

I've spent a few hours on snowshoes and own four pair.  When I lived in MN and WI I had a pair of Michigan style and a pair of Crees'.  The were raw hide filled and worked very well in the dry snow there.  I did run a set filled with cotton cord for the spring as the cotton would tighten when it got damp but didn't hold up on dry snow and the had to be varnished often.  I ran traplines and had to snowshoe 3/4 mile from the road to my house everyday pulling a toboganto get to work for a few years till I bought a 7' snowblower.  Out here in this warmer climate a have aluminum and synthetic shoes.  For most of my coyote predator hunting where I don't have a heavy pack or sled I use Backcountry Skis, steel edges and waxless bottoms, easier to cover more country.

AWS