Snowshoes?

[bardern]

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.

[MikePal]

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.

[JMatthews]

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.

[burns]

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.

[rackman]

I have had had a pair of tubbs for over 10 years a bit pricy but will last for ever

[TurkeyRookie]

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

[greatwhite]

I got a new pair for 60.00 at Canadian tire work great.

[muskokaguy]

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.

[Oddmott]

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.

[TurkeyRookie]

Here's over 300lbs of man plus gear on back, snow measured on pole is just over 36" deep, and I have minimal sinkage.



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).