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Every style has a pro/con. An individual needs to know the terrain, snow conditions, and activity type to really make a good decision. There are some styles that are good around but not great at any. Some excel in very particular circumstances but fall very short in many others.
I bought some at sail , reg price they were $149 but they were 50 % off so got them for 69.99.
When was this? Spring is a great time to save on snowshoes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Doeun_k
This comparison comes up every year. Here is what I contributed last year...
I prefer new new type of snowshoes over the older type.
- they have cleats, wooden ones don't
- they don't require maintenance, wood ones dry out
- Snow/slush doesn't stick to them, wooden ones get very heavy and slush sticks to them.
- easier and faster to put them on or take them off and they fit tighter.
- They are much lighter -- It's possible to run in them.
- They are narrower so you can walk normally in them rather than walking as if you are nesting a load of :ashamed: in your snowpants.
If you do go this route, make sure you buy a bigger size than recommended for your weight. People that sink into the snow are wearing ones that are too small for them. I bought a pair rated for 250 lbs. I weight 210...factor in clothes, boots and a backpack, and go from there. I would never switch back to traditional snowshoes. Innovation and engineering improve on existing ideas, sure tradition is nice, but you wouldn't see me with a snowmobile that has bogey wheels, or fishing with a bamboo rod...
The choosing sizes is where things get difficult.
Some companies max at 36" and I've seen quite a few claim that is sufficient for users up to 300lbs. I just don't see how...
I currently weigh between 230-240lbs... and my 36" bigfoots (the biggest they had available when I bought) are supposed to be good up to 260lbs. But they really don't seem to provide me any floatation. And what's more confusing is the fact that when I purchased them I was around 215-220lbs and they didn't work any better then.
I'm going to upgrade to a tubbs or atlas 40" set for next year, but something tells me they won't do any better.
check through your local "yellow pages" to see if anyone rents snow shoes, rent a pair to try out and you will see if they work or not.
I had a pair of the 36in TUBBS from Can Tire. They were rated for my size (250lbs) No good in fresh powder for my size. Nothing wrong with them otherwise.
Now I have a pair of GV Wide Trails and they work great in fresh snow. The bindings are also a ratchet style like a snowboard. Like has already been said, I would suggest getting the biggest you can comfortably walk in.
Raising this thread from the dead - I just received a pair of MSR Lightning Ascent 25" snowshoes with the extra 5" tails as a birthday gift. On paper and after examining them closely, these snowshoes look really good, but the reviews on the MEC site are not great.Quote:
Originally Posted by TurkeyRookie
With no tails, they are supposedly rated up to 225 lbs, with tails, 275 lbs. I weigh 200 lbs. I would say that normally, when I use my snowshoes for hunting, I have at least 40 lbs of gear on me, sometimes more if I am hauling a portable stand. I can exchange these ones for the 30" version, then use the tails to get an extra 50 lb capacity.
How does your friend like his? Any flotation issues? What about durability?
I have a pair of atlas and a pair of little bears, both new high techy type. There is no real difference between the two. The old style ones are now a decoration.
For any who care, SAIL (and i'm sure a few other stores too) are now selling their remaining snowshoes inventory at 50% off.