Snow Shoes

[BigJim]

Not that they are needed this winter, but I’ve been thinking of turning my old wood snowshoes into wall-hangings and buying a pair of modern snowshoes. Campmor has an “End of the Season” sale on their snow shoes, but there are so many choices I just don’t know which way to go. Anyone have any suggestions?

All opinions, comments, and useless drivel I post are mine alone and do not reflect the opinions of the WGA BOD.

[huffinpuffin2]

Regardless the brand, size up towards Fickin Huge. You’ll be glad you did when you finally do hit some deep stuff. Smaller shoes are more likely to punch down, fill in on top and become buried, and then you end up shoveling all that snow back up when you lift your feet back out. Big shoes are better for whacking bears, too, if needed. Small shoes are for running on snowmobile trails and placing into tiny cars. Glad to provide this most useful information to you. 😈

[Mister Greenthumb]

Although I could rave about our Sherpa brand shoes I can’t recommend then since they are no longer made. Sherpa shoes set the standard for the modern snowshoe, but cheaper manufacturers led to their demise when the refused to sacrifice quality. We have had ours for more than 15 years, use them often and they still look like new.

They work well in powder and the cleats are long enough to work on hard pack. They are excellent for hill climbing with the assist of a pole. We have bushwacked with them without getting caught up or falling. They are easy to put on and we haven’t had much trouble with them coming off which is a plus since putting them back on in the woods is not easy.

I know this may not help much, but might give you some ideas of what to look for.

[mongo1965]

Believe it or not but picked mine up at wallyworld and they work great. I have last years model but looking at the new ones this year they did not change to much. Price was right and they work that’s all I can ask for so I’m a happy cacher.

[2nd time around]

Jim
Check out Redfeather shoes, I have had mine for over 10 years and my Wife has had hers about 4, no problems with them at all. Tour Seven Sports in Rapids sells them. They are located on Chestnut St. Hope this helps you.

[huffinpuffin2]

Though a few years old, this prior thread is likely worthy of review: http://wi-geocaching.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=10119&highlight=snowshoe

[CodeJunkie]

I bought mine from Cabelas (Outfitter Pro Series) a few years ago and love them. They’re actually made by Atlas and private labeled for Cablelas. I bought the “package” which was shoes, poles, and carry bag. Definately lightweight and I’ve walked a variety of terrain (woods, open fields, packed trails, marshes, etc.) with them. Here’s a link to Cabela’s site.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/CABELAS-OUTFITTER-PRO-MENS-SNOWSHOES/927444.uts?WTz_l=CQO

[BeccaDay]

I’ve used both aluminum and fiberglass frames and I thought they were both good. Make sure you get them long enough to fully support your weight so you won’t get buried in the fluffy stuff. Boot covers are great too, even if you have waterproof boots.

Not all who wander are lost. -J.R.R. Tolkien

[kc9gbo]

Redfeather is made in LaCrosse so you are supporting a Wisconsin company. I will say that I did get some snowshoes for the kids and wife from Menards that were cheap and work well for the little bit they do use them.
Like previously said, go bigger and get quality if planning to use alot.

[CodeJunkie]

I agree with the size comments. I have the 36″ long set (the largest in the model I got) and am definately glad I did. Not much extra weight compared to the 30″ pair, but the extra 6″ makes a big difference.

[Trekkin and Birdin]

Dang, you’re getting rid of old ones? Trekkin’ uses and prefers the old wood ones. (We own something like 5 pair in various styles between the two of us). If you are thinking of making them into wall hangings, he suggests coating them with a coat of varathane 92 clear gloss exterior wood finish on the wood frame and rawhide for protection in case you ever decide you’d like to pull them off the wall and use them again.

[BigJim]

@Trekkin and Birdin wrote:

Dang, you’re getting rid of old ones? Trekkin’ uses and prefers the old wood ones. (We own something like 5 pair in various styles between the two of us). If you are thinking of making them into wall hangings, he suggests coating them with a coat of varathane 92 clear gloss exterior wood finish on the wood frame and rawhide for protection in case you ever decide you’d like to pull them off the wall and use them again.

Well I’m not getting rid of them, just getting some new ones. I probably won’t hang them on the wall right away, just in case I decide that I like the old ones better than the new ones. I will take Trekkin’s advice on the varathane. Thanks.

All opinions, comments, and useless drivel I post are mine alone and do not reflect the opinions of the WGA BOD.

[Team Deejay]

@CodeJunkie wrote:

I bought mine from Cabelas (Outfitter Pro Series) a few years ago and love them. They’re actually made by Atlas and private labeled for Cablelas. I bought the “package” which was shoes, poles, and carry bag. Definately lightweight and I’ve walked a variety of terrain (woods, open fields, packed trails, marshes, etc.) with them. Here’s a link to Cabela’s site.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/CABELAS-OUTFITTER-PRO-MENS-SNOWSHOES/927444.uts?WTz_l=CQO

I have these same shoes. They have really good float. I’d recommend them for larger hikers (>180 lbs).

[Grandma & Grandpa]

Gram anI have Tubbs snoeshoes. We like them a lot, and hope to be able to use them at least once this winter…

Part of what you get moving up the foodchain of snowshoe prices is improvement in the bindings. We find that something very easy to strap on and pull off is quite important. The ground seems further away these days than it used to be. Our Tubbs shoes have one ratchet buckle that latches a full ‘bootie’ that goes completely around our boots. Very easy on and off, and stays securely on.

We bought ours used from eBay at a deep discount. They arrived with a few scratches, but mechanically in great shape. We’ve gotten several other sets for kids and grandkids, also via eBay, and were pleased with them as well. But one other set were Tubs shoes, privately labelled for an online retailer, and we got them really cheap with free s/h. It pays to shop around.

Most shoes are rated by weight range, look for these specs and stick to the higher end as previously stated. Gram’s first set were at the bottom of the range (too small), and did not work well for her. Our very thin daughter-in-law has them now, and likes them.

cYa, Jim

[cheezehead]

@Team Deejay wrote:

@CodeJunkie wrote:

I bought mine from Cabelas (Outfitter Pro Series) a few years ago and love them. They’re actually made by Atlas and private labeled for Cablelas. I bought the “package” which was shoes, poles, and carry bag. Definately lightweight and I’ve walked a variety of terrain (woods, open fields, packed trails, marshes, etc.) with them. Here’s a link to Cabela’s site.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/CABELAS-OUTFITTER-PRO-MENS-SNOWSHOES/927444.uts?WTz_l=CQO

I have these same shoes. They have really good float. I’d recommend them for larger hikers (>180 lbs).

Wife got me a pair a few years ago for a X-mas present. Work great for me and I think I’m built like you but a tad lighter perhaps.

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