Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => All Other Gear => Topic started by: Outdoorskindaguy on August 25, 2023, 07:11:39 PM

Title: Snow Shoes
Post by: Outdoorskindaguy on August 25, 2023, 07:11:39 PM: I dont have any experience with snow shoes.
Who makes a good backcountry snow shoe from your experience?
Thanks!
Title: Re: Snow Shoes
Post by: ducks4days on August 25, 2023, 07:52:08 PM: Commenting so it will show up in my feed. I’ll try to post what kind I have when I get home and check. I’ve been really impressed with them. You can basically sneak right up on deer without them hearing you.
Title: Re: Snow Shoes
Post by: JWBINX on August 25, 2023, 10:06:12 PM: I use MSR lightnings and they are as good as you can buy. Well Worth the money.
Title: Re: Snow Shoes
Post by: Outdoorskindaguy on August 26, 2023, 12:14:18 PM: ill check that out. Thank you.
Anyone else?
Have a muzzleloader tag at the end of nov.
from past experience snow shoes could be needed.
Post holing for miles with a buck in your pack is very painful.
Title: Re: Snow Shoes
Post by: Mtnwalker on August 26, 2023, 12:36:07 PM: Whatever you decide on buy early. Lots of the popular shoes have been sold out by October the last couple years. Also if you’ve never done it before or unsure about sizing Costco sells some MSR knockoffs that are decent enough to tell if it’s for you or not without the investment. I grabbed a pair last year as a “just incase” for my late hunt
Title: Re: Snow Shoes
Post by: JWBINX on August 26, 2023, 01:00:38 PM: Quote from: Mtnwalker on August 26, 2023, 12:36:07 PM
Whatever you decide on buy early. Lots of the popular shoes have been sold out by October the last couple years. Also if you’ve never done it before or unsure about sizing Costco sells some MSR knockoffs that are decent enough to tell if it’s for you or not without the investment. I grabbed a pair last year as a “just incase” for my late hunt
:yeah:
If your going to use them 1 or 2 times a year, go with Mtnwalkers advice.
Title: Re: Snow Shoes
Post by: LDennis24 on August 26, 2023, 01:46:36 PM: Military Surplus Magnesium shoes
Run anywhere from $60-$80+ and will last forever.
Title: Re: Snow Shoes
Post by: Rob on August 26, 2023, 03:38:05 PM: Msr lightenings are great. I got a little s.aller that I thought I needed and got the extensions for fluffier stuff. Shorter makes the downhill easier-but if you are sinking too deep just pop on the extensions.
Title: Re: Snow Shoes
Post by: Threewolves on August 26, 2023, 07:01:37 PM: Quote from: LDennis24 on August 26, 2023, 01:46:36 PM
Military Surplus Magnesium shoes
Run anywhere from $60-$80+ and will last forever.

The added benefit to magnesium is if needed you can shave a little off the tail to start a fire, if you have a spark, 5,400 degrees
Title: Re: Snow Shoes
Post by: pickardjw on August 26, 2023, 07:50:49 PM: I've been looking at getting Altai's instead of snow shoes. Pricey but more efficient than snowshoes.

https://us-store.altaiskis.com/product/hok-skis-with-universal-pivot-bindings-copy/
Title: Re: Snow Shoes
Post by: LDennis24 on August 26, 2023, 08:13:07 PM: Quote from: Threewolves on August 26, 2023, 07:01:37 PM
Quote from: LDennis24 on August 26, 2023, 01:46:36 PM
Military Surplus Magnesium shoes
Run anywhere from $60-$80+ and will last forever.

The added benefit to magnesium is if needed you can shave a little off the tail to start a fire, if you have a spark, 5,400 degrees

Right! So you just bring a flint striker and your good to go!
Title: Re: Snow Shoes
Post by: hunter399 on August 26, 2023, 08:27:31 PM: Quote from: LDennis24 on August 26, 2023, 01:46:36 PM
Military Surplus Magnesium shoes
Run anywhere from $60-$80+ and will last forever.
I have the same ones.
Brand new,never used,bought off of midway a few years ago.
And I got another,more modern pair,kid stole those.
They was doing snowshoe hiking in his P.E class in winter.
Title: Re: Snow Shoes
Post by: dwtraut7 on August 26, 2023, 09:31:49 PM: My pair of Atlas Montane’s have been pretty good to me
Title: Re: Snow Shoes
Post by: Tiger1358 on August 26, 2023, 09:44:04 PM: MSR is the best in the game. If you're gonna do hard mountaineering, get the MSR Lightning Ascent, otherwise MSR Evo, Revo, or Denali Ascent will work just fine. Make sure to get the ascent model, it helps when going up steep hills.
I've had the MSR Evo Ascent for years and i love it.
Title: Re: Snow Shoes
Post by: ducks4days on August 27, 2023, 07:24:40 AM: MSR lightning is def the way to go
Title: Re: Snow Shoes
Post by: JakeLand on August 27, 2023, 05:33:16 PM: I’m NOT a msr fan at all . I run the tubs mountaineer on my marten traplines as they’re hands down the best in deep snow conditions where you put miles on with heavy packs on and steep slopes up,down and side hilling for miles .I shoe over 300 miles a winter trapping and I’ve used almost every brand and model out there
Title: Re: Snow Shoes
Post by: LDennis24 on August 27, 2023, 10:24:55 PM: How much do you weigh OP? That will make a difference as well. Some brands simply do not hold the weight they advertise.
Title: Re: Snow Shoes
Post by: Skyvalhunter on August 28, 2023, 05:31:35 AM: Quote from: ducks4days on August 27, 2023, 07:24:40 AM
MSR lightning is def the way to go
:tup:
Title: Re: Snow Shoes
Post by: Rugsnfeathers on August 28, 2023, 09:50:36 AM: You might also want to check Craigslist, OfferUp, FB Market Place, and Play It Again Sports. A lot of folks buy snow shoes thinking they'll like it, and after just one trip, they decide it's not for them. Heck, some people who buy it don't even use it.
Title: Re: Snow Shoes
Post by: Outdoorskindaguy on August 28, 2023, 04:18:20 PM: LDennis
I believe im a 140 pounder.
Thanks for all the comments/suggestions.
Title: Re: Snow Shoes
Post by: LDennis24 on August 28, 2023, 04:57:28 PM: Quote from: Outdoorskindaguy on August 28, 2023, 04:18:20 PM
LDennis
I believe im a 140 pounder.
Thanks for all the comments/suggestions.

You should have plenty of options then.
Title: Re: Snow Shoes
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 28, 2023, 05:20:50 PM: Quote from: LDennis24 on August 26, 2023, 01:46:36 PM
Military Surplus Magnesium shoes
Run anywhere from $60-$80+ and will last forever.

First off, I have to say that although I am retired Army, I am not, in general, a "military surplus" guy. I am fully aware that a lot of the stuff I used for 21 years was contracted by the lowest bidder... but...
I have a set of Mil Surplus Magnesium snowshoes. I also have a set of "civilian" snow shoes (can't remember the brand). One thing I noticed right away is that the "civilian" ones are very light (that was good), but also very narrow. When I wear them with a heavy pack, I sink down a lot more than if I am wearing my Army snowshoes. I've had them 10 years (the civilian ones) and the plastic bindings are cracked and broken, as is much of the plastic webbing.
My military shoes are God-only-knows-how-old before I even bought them (from DRMO at Fairchild AFB) when I retired from the Army in 2011 and still in great shape. If you can find them, I suggest the black rubber military bindings (I'll try to remember to snap a photo of mine later). Much easier to screw with than the canvas ones. Also, they are heavier than most civilian shoes. :twocents: