Snowshoes

Snowshoe Shopping Tips

Snowshoes are a great way to get outside and burn off some energy in the winter. In addition to being an excellent form of exercise they are a great way to experience nature. In addition to the shoes tehmselves we highly recommend that you purchase snowshoeing poles. Snowshoeing with poles makes it much easier to maneuver in heavy snow and difficult terrain.

Uses

Snowshoes are made for various uses including recreational, running and backcountry. The various uses have inspired different designs. For example, running snowshoes are rather streamlined in comparison to the other designs. They are made from lighter weight materials and are typically only available in a single size which is smaller than those used for recreational or back country snowshoeing. Back country snowshoes are designed for use in deep snow and on unmaintained terrain. Therefore back country shoes are generally larger in surface area and do not taper to a pointed V Tail like some running or recreational snowshoes might. Recreational snowshoes are the most common type sold on Skis.com. These provide a good deal of floatation in the softer snow without being too large to hike comfortably for longer distances.

 Sizing

Snowshoes are produced in different sizes. Snowshoes are sized in inches and typically range between 25 and 35 inches long for men and between 20 and 30 inches long for women. Sizing for snowshoes is chosen based on weight, the heavier the person the larger snowshoes they will need. Additionally if you will be snowshoeing in deep snow or with a pack a larger frame snowshoe will give you the flotation necessary to stay on top of the snow easier.

Men, women and children's

Snowshoes are available for men, women and children. Many of the women’s specific models are designed specifically for a woman’s gait and natural stance. Additionally, in many cases the bindings are designed to accommodate a woman’s smaller foot. Children’s models are a great way to get kids involved in the sport. The styles of kid’s snowshoes that we carry on Skis.com use much of the technology developed for adult shoes, so you know they are great quality products. The refinements in the left hand navigation allow you to sort the selection of snowshoes by gender, so you can choose which are designed for the intended user.

Hopefully the array of snowshoe buying and sizing information available in the Ski-O-Pedia will help you make an informed decision about getting the perfect set of snowshoes. However, if you have any questions or would like to be pointed in the right direction please contact our customer service department via phone, email, or LiveChat.