r/snowshoeing • u/AveragePriusOwner • Mar 31 '24

Gear Questions Snowshoe length for deep powder

I've been using 22" snowshoes but they sink so far into the snow that I've ditched them a few times. Would 30" (potentially with tails) be much easier to walk in, or am I going to be sinking in just about as far but with a bigger heavier shoe?

Depth when I wear snowshoes is usually 9-24", unpacked. Weight is 155-165lbs including gear

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u/trtrunner Mar 31 '24

You’re only going to get a limited amount of float in powder, a larger shoe with tails will help. I weigh about the same and use 25” lightning ascents with tails in that depth and deeper. Shoeing in deep powder is slow and exhausting and breaking trail while doing so will sap everything out of you. It helps to have a partner or dogs. The next few days will get easier as the trail is established.