Buying Guide for Snowshoes
There are 3 main types of different snowshoes and there are also women’s models in each of these styles. The main styles are recreational, backcountry, race and of course women’s in each of these.
• Recreational Snowshoes
• Backcountry Snowshoes
• Race Snowshoes
Recreational Snowshoes
Recreational snowshoes are going to be the most popular model of snowshoes as these are the most widely used and adapt in many different situations and terrain. When you get a recreational snowshoe you get a less aggressive snowshoe that works well for flat or light rolling terrain like golf courses, packed trails and just walking around in lighter snow cover.
Recreational snowshoes are great for walking the dog and a lot of people keep them in there cars in case of a snow emergency. Recreational snowshoes work best on harder packed snow but you can occasionally break your own path if you need to get through some deeper snow or rougher terrain. Equipped with moderate crampons, the metal attachment on the bottom that grips the snow, you can still dig in and get a great grip on most all icy terrain. Recreational snowshoes are typically geared towards entry level to intermediate snowshoe enthusiasts and are available at great prices.
Backcountry Snowshoes
Generally beefed up all throughout backcountry snowshoes are the Megatron of snowshoes. These snowshoes are going to allow you to break your own trail and explore deeper more rough terrain without issue. Backcountry snowshoes are really the SUV of snowshoes; you can be comfortable on a packed down trail at your favorite state park or golf course and then take the shoes over to the backcountry and be at home in the deeper snow and more adverse terrain.
Built with beefier bindings and larger crampons backcountry snowshoes are built like tanks to not only perform but to actually last through many uses. If you stay only on the packed down path and don’t stray it’d probably be best to stay with recreational snowshoes but if you like to make your own path or live in a part of the world that gets hit with harsh winters take the step up to backcountry snowshoes.
Race Snowshoes
Race snowshoes or fitness snowshoes are built for speed and easy control. Typically more streamline and lighter weight these snowshoes are able to be used on harder packed terrain at higher speeds. Built with training, running and even winter marathons in mind these snowshoes are definitely performance minded.
Bindings offered on this style of snowshoes are smaller and offer a tighter adjustment so you can snuggly wrap them around athletic shoes. These snowshoes having a smaller, lightweight design and athletic shoe binding wrap make them absolutely great for racing and training but are not suggested for backcountry or adverse terrain. Hard packed trails and tracks are where these snowshoes will excel. More...
