Adventure Jones Blog - Posts Tagged ‘Snowshoes’

If you can walk, you can snowshoe.

“If you can walk, you can snowshoe,” as the saying goes. Walking with snowshoes strapped to your feet might feel a bit awkward at first, but with a little practice, you’ll be a pro in no time. Here are some tips to help you learn how to walk in snowshoes.

1. Start on flat ground.

The easiest way to learn how to snowshoe is to start on flat ground where the snow is not too deep. As long as your snowshoes fit properly (including width, length, and how they attach to your boots), you should be able to walk with your normal gait, although your stance may be slightly wider. Practice on flat ground until you feel comfortable. Then move on to other terrain or maneuvers.

2. Use poles for balance.

Snowshoeing poles help you keep your balance and avoid falls. They also help you get back on your feet in case you do fall. Place your hand through the strap and then grab the pole to avoid dropping the poles.

3. Practice going uphill.

The crampons on the bottom of your snowshoes are designed to give you more traction in icy areas or when going up and down hills. To climb up a hill, dig your toe crampon into the hillside with each step. For powdery snow, you can kick the snow first to find a solid foothold; then dig in your crampon for traction.

4. Practice going downhill.

Use your crampons for traction going downhill as well. Keep your knees bent and your weight slightly back to keep from going too fast down the hill. Take small steps and keep your foot low to the ground with each step to avoid letting the snowshoe swing out. For hills that are too steep to climb straight down, use a side step to traverse the side of the hill.

Snowshoes for Men, Women, and Kids

Got cabin fever? Get outside this winter with snowshoes! Adventure Jones carries Atlas and Redfeather snowshoes for the whole family. Free shipping on all orders to the lower 48 U.S.

Wear the right size snowshoes for your weight.

Don’t let winter keep you inside. Strap on a pair of snowshoes, and explore uncharted territory with your friends and family. If you’ve never gone snowshoeing before, here are 5 tips to get you started.

1. Check the weather.

Check the forecast before you head out to go snowshoeing. If bad weather is on the way, play it safe and stay home. Checking the weather will also help you know how to dress appropriately for the temperature and wind.

2. Dress appropriately.

Wear layers so that you can take layers off as you warm up or add layers if the wind picks up. Choose waterproof layers whenever possible, or material that dries quickly. Avoid cotton, since it takes too long to dry. Wet clothing increases your risk for hypothermia, especially in windy conditions.

3. Make sure your snowshoes fit.

Choose snowshoes that are the proper length and width for your weight. Women’s snowshoes are made with a narrower frame to fit a woman’s narrow stride. Men’s snowshoes are slightly wider to match their gait.

4. Wear proper footwear.

Wear waterproof footwear, such as snow boots or snowboarding boots. Avoid tennis shoes or other footwear that can get wet. Wool or moisture-wicking socks are also recommended.

5. Go with a friend.

The best way to snowshoe is to go with a friend or group of friends. Sharing an adventure draws you closer together, and you’ll have someone to watch out for you in case something goes wrong. It’s also a good idea to let someone at home know your plans and when you plan to be back.

Mens, Womens, and Kids Snowshoes

Take the whole family on a snowshoeing adventure with mens, womens, and kids snowshoes from Adventure Jones. We carry Atlas and Redfeather snowshoes, as well as our own Basecamp snowshoes.

Get the right snowshoe length for your weight.

Now that winter is approaching, some outdoor enthusiasts might sadly be packing up their equipment until next spring. If you live in snow country, however, playing outside in the winter can be just as much fun with a pair of new snowshoes.

Why Use Snowshoes

Snowshoes are essential for some far north workers, who work outside and need to get around on the snow safely and effectively, but they’re also a great addition to your adventure gear. If you enjoy running or hiking and would like to continue doing so outside during the winter, then snowshoes are for you.

How Snowshoes Work

Snowshoes basically allow the weight of your body to be spread out over a larger surface area, which allows the shoe to “float” over the snow. While some areas are difficult to access on foot during winter, wearing snowshoes allows you to explore those places safely.

Snowshoe Fit

If you’ve never bought snowshoes before, don’t worry; we can walk you through the process. A good pair of snowshoes that fit well will make you wish it snowed year round! Snowshoes aren’t fitted by length of feet, like a traditional shoe; instead, they’re fitted by the weight of you and your gear.

Snowshoe Sizing Guide

If you and your gear weigh 75-140 pounds, you’ll need snowshoes 8″ x 21″ in size. If the total weight is between 120-180 pounds, you’ll need snowshoes 8″ x 25″ in size. For 160-220 pounds, select 9″ x 30″ snowshoes, and for over 200 pounds, look for 10″ x 36″ snowshoes. (By the way, these fitting guidelines are also on the bottom of our snowshoe purchase page. Just scroll to the bottom in case you need guidance.)

Mens and Womens Snowshoes

Women’s snowshoes tend to be slightly shorter, while men’s snowshoes tend to be longer. For places with deep powder, or if you’re blazing your own trail, larger snowshoes will fare better. Smaller snowshoes, on the other hand, are easier to maneuver and provide better traction. They also make it easier to handle wet snow and steep slopes.

Maintenance

One of the best features of the snowshoe is that there’s basically no upkeep. The most you’ll need to do is to sharpen the cleats on occasion, if you’re a heavy snowshoe user. So if you’re in the market for a fantastic winter, outdoor adventure, snowshoes might be the perfect fit for you!

Browse Our Snowshoes

Looking for the best snowshoes for your needs? Check out our selection of name-brand Atlas, Redfeather, and Adventure Jones snowshoes for men, women, and kids.

Kids Snowshoes

A little romping, a little frolicking, and a little snowball throwing. What better way to spend a winter day than snowshoeing with your kids? Make it a day to remember with these tips.

What to Wear

Dress the kids the same way you should dress yourself: in layers. Tromping around in the snow will warm up your kids fast. Dressing in layers makes it easy to shed layers as you go.

The trick is to make sure they’re warm enough but not too warm. Wear a small backpack to hold extra layers of clothes after you take them off.

Winter boots or snowboarding boots are the best choices for footwear for kids snowshoes. They should be waterproof and warm. Wool socks keep your kids’ feet dry and warm.

The most important thing to remember? Have the kids use the bathroom BEFORE you get them dressed.

Where to Go

If you want to start out easy, find a park or nature center with designated snowshoeing trails. The packed snow makes for an easier time learning to snowshoe. Stick to the trail until your kids get their “snowshoe legs.” Then explore the backcountry for a little more excitement.

Start with a short hike. The first time you snowshoe with your kids should be long enough to enjoy the outdoors but short enough to keep them from getting tired and crabby. Take breaks as needed, and warm up indoors between outings if it’s especially cold outside. Bring snacks and water to recharge before heading out again.

How to Enjoy It

Let yourself go. Play with your kids. Build a snowman. Make a snow angel. Play follow the leader. They’ll love it. You’ll love it. Win-win.

Walking in snowshoes requires a slightly wider stance.

First time using snowshoes? No need to worry. One of the best things about snowshoeing is that it’s a sport you can enjoy from the first time you try it. Snowshoeing is as easy as walking, with a little extra attention to the width of your stance and picking up your feet.

Finding Your Stride

The easiest way to learn how to snowshoe is just to start walking. You’ll notice that your stance needs to be a bit wider to keep the frames from knocking together, but otherwise you can walk with your normal gait. Just don’t let your feet drag too much. You don’t want the crampons to catch on hardened snow and trip you up. The deeper the snow, the higher you need to lift your snowshoes.

To make it easier to keep your balance (and for a better upper body workout), we recommend using snowshoe poles. They come in handy especially for going up and down hills.

Using Snowshoes to Go Up and Down Hills

Want to play King of the Mountain? Sometimes the fastest way to the top isn’t always the most practical. For steep hills, the best technique is to work your way up the hill sideways, just like using switchbacks to climb a mountain. Dig your front crampons into the hill and lift your knees higher as you climb.

On your way back down the hill, be careful not to lean back on the tail of the snowshoe. Stay centered over the snowshoes and use your front crampons to dig into the hill and keep in control of your forward momentum. Again, for steep hills, a sideways route is sometimes more practical.

Atlas Snowshoes with wrap bindings

How to put on snowshoes depends on the type of bindings you have, but there are a few general tips that apply to putting on any type of snowshoes.

How to Put on Snowshoes

Loosen the bindings, including the heel strap and any foot or toe straps. They should be loose enough to slip your boots into the bindings.

With your boot centered properly in the bindings, your toes should have enough room to keep from hitting the front decking as you walk. Tighten all straps. The heel strap should be snug against the back of your boot.

Boots for Snowshoeing

Your boots should be small enough to fit in the bindings of your snowshoes. If the bindings are too small, you may need bigger snowshoes or boots with thinner soles. Snowboard boots and winter boots work the best, but any waterproof shoe will do. If your boots are low-cut, use gaiters to keep the snow out.

Snowshoe Sizing

If your snowshoes are worn correctly but they are still uncomfortable for walking, you may need different size snowshoes. Narrow snowshoes are better for women, who naturally have a narrower gait than men. You may also need longer or shorter snowshoes, depending on your height and weight.

Snowshoe Bindings Video

To watch how to put on Atlas snowshoes with wrap bindings, see the video below.

Atlas Snowshoes

Adventure Jones is proud to be an authorized retailer for Atlas and Redfeather snowshoes. We offer men’s, women’s, and children’s model snowshoes, along with kits that include hiking poles and a carry bag.

Our entry-level and mid-level Atlas, Redfeather, and Adventure Jones snowshoes are designed for trail hiking and moderate off trail hiking. These snowshoes are perfect for anyone just getting into the sport or for seasoned snowshoers looking for quality brands and design technology at an affordable price.

We also offer mountain hiking snowshoes by Atlas and Redfeather, with enhanced technology and design for steep climbing and deeper terrain.

• Men’s Snowshoes
• Women’s Snowshoes
• Kids’ Snowshoes

Winter boots and snowboard boots work well for snowshoeing.

Ready for some winter fun? Get outside with a pair of snowshoes! Here are some tips on finding equipment, dressing for your adventure, walking with snowshoes, and staying safe.

Snowshoe Equipment

To get started with snowshoeing, you’ll need to rent, borrow, or buy a pair of snowshoes. If you’re not sure what type of snowshoes you need (or if you’re not sure you’ll like snowshoeing), we recommend borrowing or renting first. Then you’ll have a better idea of what to look for in a pair of snowshoes when it comes time to buy.

Poles are optional but recommended. They give you an extra boost of stability, a better workout for your arms, and more control on steep ascents or descents.

What to Wear

Waterproof boots and snowboarding boots are good choices for footwear. If you wear trail running shoes for an aerobic snowshoe workout, make sure the shoes are waterproof to keep your feet dry. Wear wool socks (not cotton) to keep your feet warm and dry. Gaiters also keep your feet dry by preventing snow from getting in your boots and shoes.

Dress in layers with synthetic, moisture-wicking material and a waterproof outer layer to cut the wind and keep you dry. Gloves should be waterproof and allow you enough dexterity to adjust the bindings on your snowshoes.

Walking with Snowshoes

As long as your snowshoes fit snugly, you should be able to walk easily with your normal gait and a slightly wider stance. The snowshoe bindings are designed to flex with your feet as you walk. To turn around, take it slow, an eighth of a turn at a time, to keep from stepping on the back of your snowshoes.

Snowshoeing Safety

Know what’s beneath the snow. Avoid crossing frozen ponds or lakes unless you know for certain that the ice is thick enough to support your weight. Do not cross a body of water that is only partly frozen over—a chunk of ice can break away and leave you stranded.

Know your route. It’s easy to get lost in the woods or when you cut cross country and blaze your own trail. Be especially cautious if it’s snowing, since snow can cover your tracks and obscure landmarks.

Go snowshoeing with a friend. You’ll have more fun together, and it’s safer.

Women's snowshoes are shorter and more narrow to account for their smaller stride.

Trying to figure out what size snowshoes you need? Here’s the lowdown on getting the right fit for your snowshoes. The better your snowshoes fit, the more fun you’ll have tromping around in the snow!

Finding the Best Fit

Snowshoes are divided into general categories for men, women, and children. Women’s snowshoes are shorter and more narrow than men’s to account for their shorter stride. Men’s snowshoes are slightly longer and wider to handle more weight.

The most common length for women’s snowshoes is between 21 and 25 inches. For men, it’s between 30 and 36 inches. Smaller sizes are available for youth.

Snowshoe Sizing Chart

Since everyone’s size and body structure is different, it’s also helpful to choose a snowshoe size based on your weight. Your total weight should include the weight of any gear you’re carrying, especially if you’re backpacking.

Types of Terrain

Another point to consider when choosing snowshoes is what type of terrain you plan to conquer. Larger snowshoes float better in deep powder and for blazing your own trail, but the tradeoff is less maneuverability. Smaller snowshoes are better for turning. They’re also easier to handle on steep slopes or in wet snow.

Recreational snowshoes are best for beginners.

Looking for just the right snowshoes? Whether you’re planning to blaze your own trail, stick to the beaten path, or backpack overnight, there are snowshoes made just for you.

Snowshoes fit into three general categories: recreational, backcountry, and racing. How you plan to use your snowshoes will help you decide which type of snowshoes to buy.

Recreational

Most people just starting out with snowshoeing choose recreational snowshoes. These all-purpose, versatile snowshoes are simple to use and affordable. They work best on flat or gently rolling hills, but the crampons will dig in deep enough for steep terrain and deeper powder. They come with either a rounded tail (better flotation in deep powder) or a tapered tail (faster aerobic workout).

Backcountry

Ready to blaze your own trail? Backcountry snowshoes let you explore uncharted territory, deep powder, and steep terrain. They provide the best flotation in fresh powder with aggressive traction on hills. The larger surface area supports extra weight from a backpack for winter camping or multi-day trips.

Racing

If speed is your thing, racing snowshoes are for you. A tapered tail and ultra-light materials make these snowshoes perfect for competitions, racing events, and power walking. The bindings provide a snug fit, so the snowshoes move seamlessly with your feet. A shorter length (usually 25 inches) lets you move even faster.