Powder Power

AMC Outdoors, January/February 2007

Float across the landscape with the right pair of snowshoes.

If you can walk, you can snowshoe. And with these tips, you can find the perfect pair for your next snowwalking adventure.

RISE ABOVE IT The more surface area a snowshoe has, the less you sink. This is referred to as “flotation,” though it is a bit of a misnomer since you never truly skim across the surface without sinking to some degree. Snowshoe sizes vary by length, with most falling between 22 and 30 inches. As a general rule you should always select the smallest snowshoes that meet your needs, in order to save weight on your feet and in your pack. Manufacturers provide sizing recommendations based on the weight of a person plus gear, but keep in mind that snow conditions vary dramatically by region. The amount of flotation necessary in the fluffy dry powder of the Rockies is markedly different than in the wet dense snow of New England. In the Northeast most people will find 25–30-inch models adequate.

IN A BIND Good snowshoes feature a binding system that securely attaches to your boots. Bindings vary more than any other feature, and you should consider several important design elements. They should fit your footwear as snugly as possible, with little to no side-to-side movement—this is especially important when sidehilling or navigating uneven terrain. Your snowshoes should accommodate the largest footwear you expect to wear; snowboard boots are too large for some models. Straps and buckles should be easy to operate with gloved or mittened hands and should never loosen during use. Lastly consider bulk; models with large bindings can be cumbersome
and irritating to pack.

GET A GRIP All snowshoes feature some sort of traction, or crampon system, on their undersides. As you go up in price, you gain more metal teeth that dig deeper in an increasing number of directions. While it’s hard to have too much traction, the extra cost may be unnecessary if you’ll be traveling mostly over gentle terrain. Entry-level models sometimes feature aluminum crampons, which are lighter and less expensive but dull more quickly than stainless steel.

HIT THE DECK The surface of the snowshoe, or deck, is made from any number of indestructible materials. Many of them are propriety composites—thermoplastic urethane, poly-vinyl laminate, etc.—but all of them readily hold up to major abuse. More important to examine are the rivets that attach the deck to the frame, which are usually the first things to break over time and with hard use. The deck of most snowshoes attaches to tubular aluminum frames of varying weight and thickness (you’ll pay more to get less), though MSR makes easily-packed models from indestructible plastic.

A SNOW JOB? Before heading out with your new snowwalkers, consider whether you actually need them. Don’t be deceived into thinking that snowshoes are necessary anytime the ground is coated white. They are only useful when you would otherwise be sinking above your boot tops or in icy conditions when you have no crampons. Even the lightest pair will add significant weight to your feet; remember that every pound on your feet is equivalent to five to 10 pounds on your back when it comes to effort. Skip the snowshoes when traveling on packed-out trails or firmly consolidated snow.

HAPPY JOLLY SOULS Snowshoers share the trail with cross-country skiers and other cold-weather enthusiasts. Be courteous by not tromping down the parallel tracks of established ski paths. To increase your personal enjoyment, consider using a pair of trekking poles outfitted with larger snow baskets to help maintain balance. To reduce calf burn on extended uphill climbs, look for snowshoes that feature heel-lift bars, which pop up to help support your feet.

- Matt Heid is senior editor at AMC Outdoors.