Post by: actionshooter on November 27, 2008, 08:40:11 AM
I'm a big boy at 250#, Does anyone have brand or model they would recomend?
Post by: Dansk on November 27, 2008, 10:13:35 AM
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...
Post by: actionshooter on November 28, 2008, 09:54:47 PM
Post by: jackelope on November 30, 2008, 09:57:22 PM
great traction too.
http://www.msrgear.com/snowshoes/denali.asp
Post by: ICEMAN on December 01, 2008, 05:34:27 AM
Post by: Dansk on December 01, 2008, 11:19:02 AM
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.
Post by: HawkenBob on December 01, 2008, 04:22:06 PM
Post by: actionshooter on December 01, 2008, 05:11:49 PM
Are these for a new sport or to replace your old ones?Some new ones will replace an old pair I borrowed :chuckle:
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?
Post by: ICEMAN on December 01, 2008, 07:33:37 PM
Post by: ICEMAN on December 01, 2008, 07:39:41 PM
Post by: Dansk on December 01, 2008, 08:09:25 PM
Are these for a new sport or to replace your old ones?Some new ones will replace an old pair I borrowed :chuckle:
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.
Post by: jackelope on December 01, 2008, 08:17:13 PM
http://www.snowshoecenter.com/Shop/?fuseaction=manufacturer&CategoryID=239&ManufacturerID=116
great customer service and prices are great too.
Post by: actionshooter on December 01, 2008, 08:35:30 PM
Post by: ICEMAN on December 01, 2008, 08:47:07 PM
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! :chuckle:
Post by: actionshooter on December 01, 2008, 09:11:48 PM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on December 01, 2008, 09:15:16 PM
Post by: ICEMAN on December 02, 2008, 04:46:43 AM
Nothing more fun than waking up in the back country, 5 degrees, and it is time for me to make breakfast for everyone, and everyting is frozen solid. ;)
Food never tastes so good, the sky is never bluer.
Hope I can go this year! Come on snow!!! :whoo:
Post by: bighorns2bushytails on December 21, 2008, 01:41:06 PM
Post by: saylean on December 22, 2008, 12:21:57 PM
Post by: Dansk on December 22, 2008, 10:46:48 PM
Post by: ICEMAN on December 23, 2008, 03:58:13 AM
Post by: saylean on January 01, 2009, 03:43:24 PM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on January 20, 2009, 10:35:09 PM
Post by: ICEMAN on January 21, 2009, 06:00:11 AM
I sure wish more snow would dump so I can take the family our for our annual overnighter...
Post by: boneaddict on January 21, 2009, 06:24:14 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on January 21, 2009, 08:38:05 AM
The biggest reason I got them is not because I was afraid I would break them, but because I found with the smaller, sexier ones I really sank into the deep powder when I was carring a rucksack (the first two years I taught the class we borrowed civilian snowshoes from a rental place on Fairchild, but whoever was on point was up to his knees in the powder).
Like I said, check them out on Ebay. Oh, and don't use the GI Issue bindings (the white canvas straps). Get a good pair of civilian bindings with ice cleats on them. I'll post a picture of mine when I get to my work computer.
Post by: Machias on January 21, 2009, 10:31:19 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on January 21, 2009, 12:32:39 PM
...I still love 'em.
Post by: Machias on January 21, 2009, 08:20:46 PM
I hope the guy on the right cleaned his barrel out before he needed it. :):)
Post by: Pathfinder101 on January 22, 2009, 10:06:55 PM
Post by: mossback91 on January 22, 2009, 10:10:13 PM
Post by: Machias on January 22, 2009, 10:23:03 PM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on January 22, 2009, 10:25:44 PM
Post by: KFhunter on January 16, 2013, 05:59:30 PM
I hate my snowshoes - was fun for ahwile I got them from coscto for the whole family, and while it's fine for the kids/wife when I'm busting trail it's a whole nother thing when I'm hunting with a pack on
This what I got
http://yukoncharlies.com/icon-beta-men/# (http://yukoncharlies.com/icon-beta-men/#)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A7DNSFE/ref=asc_df_B00A7DNSFE2352517?smid=AL883PZOJFT0T&tag=pgmp-1393-95-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395109&creativeASIN=B00A7DNSFE (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A7DNSFE/ref=asc_df_B00A7DNSFE2352517?smid=AL883PZOJFT0T&tag=pgmp-1393-95-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395109&creativeASIN=B00A7DNSFE)
9 x 30 for up to 250 lbs too small for me with a pack on. I can't climb with them at all. I was trying to come up a creek drain and I'd slip and ski back down backwards. The crampon wouldn't hold. Also the fronts would sink under a mid crust layer and when I step forward the front of the snow shoe would hang under the crusty layer lifting the back of the shoe out of the snow and ugg what a mess.
Are the MRS's still the go-to snowshoes??
I want something good for 300+ lbs for when I'm loaded up with gear, and good for brush
Post by: KFhunter on January 17, 2013, 07:59:09 PM
http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/snowshoes/ascent/lightning-ascent/product (http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/snowshoes/ascent/lightning-ascent/product)
30 inch MSR Lightning Ascent - black with tails, cause loaded up I'm a heavy turd :chuckle:
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcascadedesigns.com%2Fimages%2Fproduct%2Flarge%2FLightning_Ascent_13_.jpg&hash=4dbdc8f888536d79cb7189678497eb65679eb203)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcascadedesigns.com%2Fimages%2Fproduct%2Flarge%2FLightning_Ascent_6_.jpg&hash=07e1971683a1b1a435022e0cb25d4ab16bdc5cd3)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcascadedesigns.com%2Fimages%2Fproduct%2Flarge%2FLightning_Tails.jpg&hash=6d035e2f2979831d87a11133970b3039c847e526)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcascadedesigns.com%2Fimages%2Fproduct%2Flarge%2FLightning_Tails_2_.jpg&hash=72201669f3f8fc8b941d990f02caec3f564704ce)
I think I'm going to LOVE these snowshoes. I've always had a thing for snowshoes, even as a kid I'd make some up and always wanted a cool pair.
Anyways, I'll give ya'll a run down on what I think.
I'll snowmobile in, park the sled, strap on the snowshoes and hike into some cat country and fire up the foxpro!
Post by: ICEMAN on January 17, 2013, 08:06:31 PM
Let us know how you like them!
Post by: KFhunter on January 17, 2013, 08:07:31 PM
I didn't see any shoes that big
Post by: ICEMAN on January 17, 2013, 08:08:51 PM
Post by: KFhunter on January 17, 2013, 08:11:27 PM
Oh and I can reccomend backcountry.com - called up their 800 # and got a nice gal that knew what she was talking about! wow
She snoeshoes herself - split boarding whatever that is so she knew her gear.
free two day shipping from salt lake ut
gotta like that
Post by: MLHSN on January 17, 2013, 08:29:39 PM
A warning on snowshoe length. The lb ratings are for powder snow. Here in the northwest we have "cascade concrete". The wet snow we get can allow you to get much more floating then in say Montana or Colorado with the powder. I honestly wouldn't go much longer then 30" if you are going to do any kind of climbing. Going back down hill with extra long snowshoes can be extremely difficult. Think of how far the snow will protrube behind the hill. Image that in steep terrain. You'll be skiing downward in no time and that can be hazardous in certain terrain. Also, the longer, the heavier the snowshoe and in certain conditions the snow will slough onto the top of the shoe which means the longer the shoe, the more snow you will be lifting back up. Sure, early in the season before the snow consolidates you will be post-holing a bit but in the early spring you'll be flying around with shorter shoes.
Just my two cents, YMMV
Post by: ICEMAN on January 17, 2013, 08:33:29 PM
Post by: KFhunter on January 17, 2013, 08:39:54 PM
Also wanted the grip these MSR's offer over a tube designed shoe, the edges themselves will grip. Also these got those cross bars that'll grab even more snow.
Should be gooders
Post by: MLHSN on January 17, 2013, 08:46:34 PM
At 300 to 340lbs, plus a pack, or towing a pulk...36" shoes are great.
That's true iceman, anywhere you can pull a pulk will be fine with longer shoes. If you are sticking to old logging roads, there should be no problems at all. I'm talking mostly about climbing. If you want to go straight up or down it can be really hard with longer shoes.
Post by: ICEMAN on January 17, 2013, 09:36:54 PM
At 300 to 340lbs, plus a pack, or towing a pulk...36" shoes are great.
That's true iceman, anywhere you can pull a pulk will be fine with longer shoes. If you are sticking to old logging roads, there should be no problems at all. I'm talking mostly about climbing. If you want to go straight up or down it can be really hard with longer shoes.
Yeah I hear that. Nothing worse than having the back of the shoe steering the front.
Funny story, was shoeing up around Wakepish at st helens years back and got absolutely buried in 24" of ultra fine powder. Kept losing sight of my kids ahead of us as we worked our way off the mountain. Scary but fun.
Post by: KFhunter on January 24, 2013, 04:46:07 PM
What a massive upgrade, I was diggin these shoes today. I put on a few miles breaking trail in untracked snow, up over and down under brush. Found it was easier to just carry my saw :chuckle:
It was a joy to walk in these things, not that I didn't trip and fall a few times or step on my own toes, but all in all awesome. I wish they were a tad longer in the nose maybe but small gripe. The shoes tended to sink nose first while the tails floated.
They were also a big improvement in noise reduction, my old ones "clacked" really bad these ones don't, but they aren't silent either. At least no real mechanical noise just the noise of the plastic canvass material on the snow, and if you bang them together walking.
gotta give a :tup: for the wyoming saw too, made quick work of making me a clear path.
Too bad I ain't got a cat to show for it
Post by: ICEMAN on January 24, 2013, 06:09:53 PM
Post by: KFhunter on January 24, 2013, 10:34:14 PM
For some reason I can't attach to a thread right from my phone, pic size too big I guess.
Maybe I can upload to photobucket from the phone the toss a link here.
Post by: Machias on January 25, 2013, 04:30:59 AM
Post by: KFhunter on January 25, 2013, 09:47:46 AM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1200.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb332%2FKF_hunter%2F20130116_122230.jpg&hash=0c9e9fd6f1c6160c19e3ea0d873d6b28831609b9)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1200.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb332%2FKF_hunter%2F20130116_122222.jpg&hash=0f3b734de892c37eac14af4904b1a36140023b04)
I was trying to take some pics of the yote tracks, was having exposure problems on the phone.
These are the new shoes
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1200.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb332%2FKF_hunter%2F20130124_104133.jpg&hash=75d852a47f6e3bd692787ce947920c6a79c8115c)
I've got more work to do to get my gear in better shape :chuckle:
Post by: KFhunter on January 25, 2013, 09:54:41 AM
going to get an new pack here soon that'll hold a rifle
Post by: Bluesdude on January 25, 2013, 10:02:48 AM