Snow Shoes

[Pat32rf]

When I started using snowshoes we could not afford the fancy metal ones so we just got the old traditional wood and rawhide in a couple of sizes, then we wore the biggest we had with us.
they were not magic carpets, but the second or third person in line had it easy, the one breaking trail not so much. For bindings we started with lamp wick, but found that if they froze up in warmer wetter weather then you had a hard job getting them untied. Inner tube bindings could be removed while you still had your mits on. We had a fancy leather binding break ONCE and it left us in a bind far from the truck. Then we started carrying spare gear to replace them as they broke. They never got replaced....
we once had an idiot on a skidoo drive over a tail and break it off, the other four sets have lasted since the seventies....even the broken one is still sorta useable in a pinch....

[mbhunter]

There's a beauty ser of bear paws on kijiji right now. I think the fella is in Timmins

[Waftrudnir]

When I started using snowshoes we could not afford the fancy metal ones so we just got the old traditional wood and rawhide in a couple of sizes, then we wore the biggest we had with us.
they were not magic carpets, but the second or third person in line had it easy, the one breaking trail not so much. For bindings we started with lamp wick, but found that if they froze up in warmer wetter weather then you had a hard job getting them untied. Inner tube bindings could be removed while you still had your mits on. We had a fancy leather binding break ONCE and it left us in a bind far from the truck. Then we started carrying spare gear to replace them as they broke. They never got replaced....
we once had an idiot on a skidoo drive over a tail and break it off, the other four sets have lasted since the seventies....even the broken one is still sorta useable in a pinch....

you don't need to untie the wick, just sling your foot into it

[Tony Mo]

As said, take the weights ratings as being ON trail, not off.

I am 240lbs before wearing a pack/gear. I snowshoe in the woods, off trail, fresh snow.
I had a pair of the Tubbs from Can Tire rated for 225lbs + and sank up to my knees.
They worked fine otherwise.

Then got a pair of GV Wide Trails. WOW what a difference. Lots of flotation and easy to adjust bindings even with gloves on.
http://www.gvsnowshoes.com/en/snowsh.../wide-trail/22

[MikePal]

As said, take the weights ratings as being ON trail, not off.

I am 240lbs before wearing a pack/gear. I snowshoe in the woods, off trail, fresh snow.
I had a pair of the Tubbs from Can Tire rated for 225lbs + and sank up to my knees.
They worked fine otherwise.

I was wondering how well these new small thin 'modern' shoes do with 'full figured' guys....physics dictate that they could not support a heavy load. I wouldn't think they'd work well breaking trail thru knee deep snow. Even my bear paws, probably close to double the width, sink substantially in new snow.

[JF Sabou]

I have a pair of Gv 10/36 aerolites. Awesome. My son has a a pair of 9/30. The bindings make a difference. Worth the money!!

[huntingdad]

My wife and I have MSR snow shoes from MEC. We really like their grip on hills and that we can add tails on for deeper snow. The downside for hunting is the plastic is squeaky on snow where metal ones wouldn't be. I'm 230 #s. I can walk in deep loose snow (24" powder) with the tails on but they will want to go nose first into the snow. I need to intentionally put them down tail first in deep loose. The upside is the tails make them flexible for many weights. My 90 # wife, 280 # son and I all share the same snow shoes. With anything fixed length we couldn't. The straps are very easy to use in the cold. That's not the case with most.
HD

[Waftrudnir]

I was wondering how well these new small thin 'modern' shoes do with 'full figured' guys....physics dictate that they could not support a heavy load. I wouldn't think they'd work well breaking trail thru knee deep snow. Even my bear paws, probably close to double the width, sink substantially in new snow.

they are fantasic on packed snow and classy models are dangerous in steep or icy terrain. in powder they are a bit better than your regular shoes - next to useless. I got myself (200lbs) some 5 ft. ojibwa for this winter, because it's still a lot of effort with my 40" elongated bearpaws when I carry a pack.

[skypilot]

Many are going the route of plastic like the GV with the heel lift option for backing up. I did myself. I'm just never on a trail.

I like the monofilament over the rawhide/leather/plastic but they're less convenient to get down south.

[Tony Mo]

I have a cottage back in the bush and don't plow the 200 yard driveway in the winter. The whole family snowshoes in with our stuff. Of course I get to break trail and make multiple trips, pulling a sleigh. I am reminded that cardio is important.

Here is a photo of my 5yr old daughter. This was only her second time on snowshoes. The other kids were ahead of her. I figured I would have to help her and she would be falling a lot. She put on her backpack with all her clothes for the weekend and off she went up the driveway like she was a pro. Never fell once. Canadian girl!!!




Here are some photos I took last year when I was out in the bush at the cottage. This was fresh knee deep snow. These are my GV Wide Trails.