Snowshoes

[IRon]

Do very many on here use/own snowshoes? I know they've been around since time immemorial, but recent weather & ice conditions have got me thinking they might be fun/handy to keep a couple pairs around for my son & I. I see them all the time in most sporting goods outfitters and they look very nice with modern materials in frames & bindings. But I have no experience with them & don't even know anybody who does. Any advice on designs to look for or help in use and applications would be appreciated very much. :)

[wartfroggy]

I have a pair of Tubbs, that I have had for atleast 5 years, love them. Bought them for hiking into a lake I like, but no good road or trail. This year, I used them alot during muzzle loader season. These are the newer, aluminum frame with a plastic type skin. They are much more manueverable than the old style wood ones, but the old ones do ride a little higher in the snow. You can find a wide range of styles and prices.

[Huffy]

I go snowshoeing pretty often in the winter because it's great exercise. The motion and muscle movements are similar to what it's like when you use an eliptical machine at a gym, if you've ever done that.

As for what type to buy, that really depends on how much you want to spend. Most places will carry standard models by Tubbs, Atlas, etc. Any of them should be just fine for you to start with. If you go to REI's website, they have a pretty good article explaining how to select which size to buy, and lots of other things.

[IRon]

Wow, that was fast. Thanks Huffy, great articles and first post (welcome). And wartfroggy, exactly what I was thinking, could use them for a lot of things.

[Cobra]

Have a pair of the old wood style Bear Paws and Hurons, great for getting around in the fluff. Aren't worth much in slush, can turn to walking with concrete anchors under certain conditions.

[bigrackmack]

I have a pair of Cabelas Snowshoes and me and my girlfriend enjoy getting out every now and then.....Mack

[redneckman]

I too have a pair of the aluminum frame with plastic type skin. I have used them numerous times on the lake and they work great. Makes walking from tipup to tipup much easier in a foot + of snow.

Redneckman

[IRon]

Thanks guys, appreciate the input! :)

[FREEPOP]

The super fine powder we have now, they don't work real well. Once it settles a little more they will be much more effective.