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It looks like shoeshoes are going to be a must this winter. To you guys that are into them is there much differance in a $100 pair and a $300 pair? What do you look for in a decent pair?
I saw some at CTC on sale for a bill and others at Sail for $250. Will the cheaper one suit my needs, i am looking at using them for coyote hunting.
With shoes it's more about the bindings than the shoe itself, look for ones with good soft leather, snap closers (not strap) easy pull adjust to fit.
I bought bear paws for walking in the bush over the conventional 'Huron Model' shoe, I find them easier to move in when I'm in the bush.
I got mine at LaBarons years ago before they came out with these new metal framed shoes which I haven't tried yet, they may work good, I honestly don't know, I still like my cat gut wood ones :)
I don't live to far from you Bardern, snowshoes are a must this year in this neck of the woods, you can't walk anywhere without sink up past your knees.
I have both the old style cat gut and the newer aluminium frame/plastic inner types. The newer ones are much lighter and their bindings are great. They have a ratchet type binding that allows you to have them as tight as you want. I put similar bindings on my cat gut shoes and they work great. One thinmg you may want to consider buying is a set of poles. In deep snow or on hills thay are a big help.
Also if canadian tire doesnt have the proper sizing info you may want to go to a higher end store just to find out the size you need. Some stores have a scale to stand on with sizes on the dial not your weight, thankfully lol. Never seriously used the old wooden style but the new designs great, I have a pair of plastic MSR shoes that are bomb proof but can make abit of noise.
I have had had a pair of tubbs for over 10 years a bit pricy but will last for ever
As mentioned, as long as you have a shoe that will support your weight (you plus gear) then it's all in the bindings. I love my Atlas Mtn's. Pricy ($300) but the binding system is amazing (Wrap Pro)
Here's a quick vid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpKPr0mNX8U
I got a new pair for 60.00 at Canadian tire work great.
I bought an expensive pair (which were just as good as the $150 models) and when they snapped after a year, I couldn't do anything about it. So now I bought several pairs (I believe they are TUBBS as well) at Costco. I've had them all 2-3 years (heavy use) with absolutely no problems. The best part about buying at Costco is you can return them anytime with no questions asked.
I've tried $200 tubbs and $100 bigfoots and alaskan wood/gut styles. The aluminum framed tubbs/bigfoots were nearly identical... and I'm not overly impressed with the floatation either provided. Althought their bindings and ice spikes are terrific.
Currently I'm 235lbs. With gear (jacket, boots, gloves, toque) this weekend I was probably around 250lbs. My current bigfoots are the ADV-36" and supposedly good for up to 260lbs and i don't believe it. I was easily sinking 1-1.5ft and fatigued after 1km of hiking through field, forest and small hills.
The old school alaskan wood/gut with leather bindings are a little heavier (but not much) but the floatation provided for a pair that are actually a little small for me, was superior.
To each their own... but when money becomes no issue for me, I'll only be buying high-end traditional snowshoes.
*NOTE:
I forgot to mention that the rivets holding the synthetic webbing on my bigfoots are quite weak, and have had 2 wear/break. I've had to patch it back together with steel bolt&nut. Not very impressive.
Here's over 300lbs of man plus gear on back, snow measured on pole is just over 36" deep, and I have minimal sinkage.
http://i1323.photobucket.com/albums/...psbb8b66ac.jpg
A friend of mine, has the MSR lightning asscents which are really nice shoes as well, and you can get an add on (Clamps to the back, for extra flotation if needed).
Looks impressive TR, have you had a couple crusts up there or is that essentially all powder?
In the Ottawa valley this weekend, the 2'+ of snow was essentially from 3 good dumps of powder and the only crust was in the bottom 4" so our shoes weren't floating, so much as compressing 2ft to 8 inches
That was taken last year coming out of the bush across a Hydro Line, that was all powder at that point. I've had them in most conditions (this is third season for them) and haven't (touch wood) had a problem yet. I mainly use them when snairing and they are 35" long for my weight and had no issues with hang ups going over branches, trees, etc, to get into some spots, no punctures in decking or rivot issues, etc.
They seem to be well built and im pleased.
I have had a pair of GV's for years now and they are still in perfect shape. Very light and well built. I'd definitely buy another pair of them.
thanks guys. it seems that if anything overestimate the size you need.
Yeah. Go big as you can comfortably manage / walk in. If you don't need the float, you don't need the snowshoes...
I bought a pair of GV's as well. About 5 years ago. http://www.gvsnowshoes.com/eng/index.html
Mine are an older version of the Nyflex Expeditions.
They are very light weight, it's like they are made from recycled plastic. I was at first a little concerned that they would become brittle in the cold and possibly break or crack, but not the case. They have held up great. And have lots of cleats on them which is nice when you end up on icy surfaces.
My Tubbs snow shoes have lasted me 5 years now , 36 inch lenght they are great. I previously [45 plus ]years used the old ash frame and rawhide laced type in both the standard shape and also the long Alaskan trail model, they served me well and just the regular maintainance of drying out completely and apply a coat of spar varnish they were no problem , i did prefer the long Alaskan trail shoes, but now the Tubbs are number one great floatation and the harness' are top notch , easy to get into,adjust and also to get out of, plus being very light weight.
If i had to buy another pair of snowshoes it would again be Tubbs.
I rely on snowshoes quite a bit to get around in the winter, and Ive never found anything better than the classic ojibway framed shoes with "mono" webbing like Moe's shoes. These are custom made by a nice old lady right here in the city with a heart of gold. I want another set, just because they are so great.
If anyone is ever travelling through Timmins, and needs a pair of snowshoes, these are the best money can buy IMO. I am in no way advertising for her, these are just great snowshoes!!
My ojibways are 12" wide (so you dont have to walk like you crapped your pants) and 60" long....Ya thats right, 60". These are the best snowshoe Ive ever used, and cant believe some of the snowshoes they sell these days. I guess Im old school, I hate the new fancy aluminum things they call snowshoes.
I really like the old style shoes with new style webbing. SUPER lightweight, and floatation is just awesome. Cant wait to get out on them again!!
In case some have not seen a 'bear paw' snowshoe, this is what they look like. They are designed to carry me (6'2" 230lbs) in fairly deep snow. They are designed for walking in thick bush where a 'tail' is sometimes a bother.
So here's the question, when I look at these new metal ones they don't seem to have the width that these do to support a guy my size, they look too narrow.
How do some of you full figured guys find these new ones ?
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps5d80e83b.jpg
As i've already stated, I've found the new narrow aluminum frames to provide zero flotation in light powder. As soon as there's been a couple crusts, they improve, but in powder all mine have been less than impressive.Quote:
Originally Posted by MikePal
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.
I bought the longest pair (I think 34") at lebarons on sale for 139.00 just before Xmas and we have about 2ft powder (3ft drifts) of snow in Ottawa in the woods. They have the plastic boot support and the ratchet type bindings. No issues so far, and they do sink about 6-8” in the snow. I am 235 and pull a trek sled as well. In the army we had the big d shaped snowshoes which stayed up on the snow better, however the duck walking was difficult for long periods of time. The second set I bought was at Mark Work Wear and was 179.00 for the wife, same style with better plastic type binding, that haven’t been used yet. For mine, I have about 25km on them and no issues so far; I am and have been worried about the plastic binding, but as of now, no pre creasing or cracks yet.
Correction... Sail is starting at 20% off. I almost picked up a pair of their cheapo ($75) snowshoes... the ones I've got from CTC are too small for me (probably rated upto 150lbs). I'm 180, and with the deep powdery snow we've got, they just sink. Infact, my snowshoes are smaller than the GF's... and she definitely weighs less than I do. Her snowshoes are bigger than mine.Quote:
Originally Posted by Oddmott
I didn't buy the cheap ones... cause I'm cheap, they looked cheap, and I'm debating about some wide back-country XC skis instead.
This is what I use. Love them. The bindings on these things are incredible.
https://www.fabersnowshoes.com/snows...ountain-master
I have the same style Moe. I bought them in Sudbury in 1986 when I was prospecting in the bush. They are great as they are made for breaking trail with the pointed front. Slush ticking is a problem. Where did you get the material and how did you re-string them?Quote:
Originally Posted by Hunter300
We used to sink about 6"-8" in 3'ft. of snow. Beware of anything plastic as they will snap in the extreme cold. Been there, done that.
From what I remember different styles were for different uses, I got the Ojibway because they were good for breaking trail, the Bear Paw were better for walking on trails.
Roe+
I have a pair of atlas 11 and they are excellent, especially on hill sides. I bought them because our normal snow conditions are usually wetter and icy, the stainless crampons on the bottom make life much easier. They are pricy but tough. I have marked many bushes over the years and put many miles on snowshoes.
I need shoes for a real big guy.. With gear I'd say plus 300 any suggestions?
I'm getting real tired of snowshoeing..LOL....I have to don them 3 times a day to take the dogs for their walk (5-6km a day), this has been going on since about mid Dec...enough is enough, I want to walk on a hard surface again !
These are the ones we got: https://www.fabersnowshoes.com/snows...ountain-expert
If you look through the site, there is a video that shows what to look for in a snowshoe and provides information on how to choose the right one for you.
Three really important things: the bindings, how the leather or mesh is attached to the frame and what weight they are rated for (make sure you include the amount of weight you plan on carrying, if any, too. Not just your own weight.)
To me those are the best made. The rawhide traditional ones always get soggy and stretch where you end up with your foot 3" below the frame. Not these monofilament ones, excellent shoe.Quote:
Originally Posted by Moe
As far as size goes it depends largely on snow conditions. My shoes are rated for 250 lbs and with the deep sugar snow we have here this year I could use considerably more floatation. This has been the toughest year that I can remember for traveling conditions. The nice thing about modern style shoes is as they get bigger for more floatation they tend to get longer but not wider. Therefore easier to walk normally in.
It really all depends on snow conditions, if your on the fluffy stuff with no real base, you are going to sink regardless of weight / shoe size. As it compacts the more flotation will be offered.Quote:
Originally Posted by rf2
My friend isn't quite as large as you, he is very tall, but very lean, and I head out with him often, he has never complained nor has it appeared from my vantage point that he has had issues, again it's snow condition based. If we get a really good dumping of fresh powder we'll sink a bit as it compresses under the shoes to the hard pack, so we take turns breaking trail.
I am over 300, my shoes are the Atlas 1235's (12" wide, 35" long) a big shoe, but required for my weight and gear, do I sink, of course, no shoe is going to keep you right ontop, unless you are on a hard packed trail, but I can walk in the deep stuff and sink a foot or so take the shoes off and sink past my waist, to give you an idea. The same for my buddy.
I use 3 different pairs. Its all about the conditions. When its deep, fluffy powder, I use 14x45 classic ash/catgut shoes with upgraded ratchet bindings. For fresh snow with a base, I wear 12x36 but they are aluminum frame with mono mesh. Great rackets, but a little too small for fluffy powder for me. If its hard packed/icy I use a pair of Faber 10x22 with ice cleats. These are tough shoes. Great for kids....i work at an outdoor ed center, and these are what we give the kids. I havent had to repair a single snowshoe in 6 years, and they get used A LOT in all conditions.
For an all around, one pair does it all, id take my 12x36 alum/mono shoes. I use them the most, until it gets icy, or the snow is really deep.
S.
I use military surplus shoes - under 3lbs per shoe made with magnesium frames and nylon coated wire web - extremely durable I have had mine more than 20 years and just found a set at princess auto ($100) and bought them for my teenage son, good floatation I weigh about 230 lbs without gear and low maintenance. It was a no brainer to buy a set for my son after spending good money on his last set of expensive shoes that didn't make it 3 years. hope this helps...FB
FYI - bigfoot snowshoes is having a valentines week sale - free poles, free shipping, free carry bag (2 pair purchase though). I have a pair of older tubbs, but my inlaws have these, and I much prefer the ratcheting bindings on these ones.
Princess Auto is showing that starting Feb 18 these will be going on sale for $69, with bindings.Quote:
Originally Posted by fisherboy
I laugh every time I see the new tech rigs that are about 1/8 the size a shoe needs to be. They may help in late March when there's finally a supportive crust, but are useless for about 95% of the balance of winter. It's simple grade eight physics. Without the square inches of shoe for displacement, you'll be sunk up to your sac in most snow conditions. Our native folks had this figured out about 500 years ago. I've tried just about everything. Don't like bearpaws at all, unless you like having tendonitis in your inner thighs/ball sac from walking all day like you've soiled yourself. If you don't have bad/sore hip sockets now, just try trapping for a season in bearpaws. I don't like any flat shoe, as they have a tendency to make you work harder lifting your feet to prevent snags/tripping on brush and snow. My favourites (I'm about 210lbs) have always been wood frame modified Huron style (upturned toe), or even better, Chippawa style with the high fronts. You really have to look these days to find good wooden Chippawa shoes. Minimum of 50"and width of 10 or 11 inches. Any wider and you're going to have sore hips. My favs are a pair of 58" made in Whitney. You can walk naturally all day, and can be "lazy" without having to high lift your feet in deep powder. When high temps/slush are present, I'll switch from gut shoes to the aluminum military style, otherwise you'll soak your gut and the beds will sag. Best harness I've found so far are the standard Canadian military harness. Spar varnish the gut 1-2 X during the winter to keep the gut waterproof.
Your absolutely right, I've been walking on my BearPaws all winter, 3 times a day since mid Dec and still have that dull ache in my hip sockets...it never goes away :) But I need the width to stay up on the powder/deep snow..so small sacrifice.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fenelon
Thanks for reminding me to vanish them.....I'll put a coat on tonight. :thumbup:
Oh....My wife has a pair of the new aluminum ones (xmas gift) and I have the Faber Bearpaws.....and neither pair are worth crap when a 95lb Bernese Mountain dog insists on stepping on them from behind :)
Re: dog on your tails ! You sure got that right! Nothing more annoying than having a dog along. I've always had black "Pig-Dogs"(Labs) and these buggers are constantly trying to get onto your shoes. Just about tears your achilles tendon off the back of your leg after the Pig has done it for the 40th time ! I went and looked at my favourite shoes. They were made by Avery out of Whitney. Good thick bands of rawhide on them. I remember having a few pairs of Fabers, and they'd always break where they'd cheaped-out and used thin laces of rawhide.
Learned that last weekend in MB Forest when I took our boxer, he was bounding all over the place....got tired and started to follow in my tracks stepping on the back for next 1KM coming out. Funny but very annoying.Quote:
Originally Posted by MikePal
The ones I have (see post #20) are about 20 yrs old and have very thick/wide Rawhide....I didn't know they eventually cheaped out. These are a sturdy 'work' shoe, couldn't have been happier with the purchase.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fenelon
Got them varnished last night...I keep saying this, but forget to look, I wonder if they have a good aerosol varnish for the next time, far to many places it has to go to do a good job with a brush :)
On sale Princess Auto Feb 18 to Mar 2, 46x12 Magnesium with bindings $69.