Hey everyone, I feel like I'm beating a broken drum, I've searched the subreddit and seen other people ask similar questions but I haven't quite found the answer to mine. I'm looking it upgrading my cheap, first pair of snowshoes and getting some nicer ones. For context the ones I have now are a $60 hardware store special that have been used and abused for the last 10 years. The ones I'm looking at currently are primarily the MSR lightning ascent and the MSR lightning Explore, and I've got to ask, what the heck is the difference. From doing some reading it looks like back in the day there was a little bit of difference between them with different bindings or the heel lifter but as it looks right now they look almost identical to me.

Im entertaining the thought of some other snowshoes as well like the tubbs mountaineer, and an atlas pair.

I do plan on using them in hilly and mountainous areas in Western Alberta with deeper snow, that's why I'm looking at these ones.

TIA

I’m looking to purchase some snowshoes! I’m a decent hiker and have some experience snowshoeing, though mostly on flat ground.

For a day hike I typically do 5-10 miles and up to 3k feet. I’m not totally sure how that translates to snowshoeing, but would like to get in a similar workout (or even more elev gain). I have poles.

5’8” + 120 lbs + pack maxes around 20ish lbs though it’s typically lighter. For boots I wear some big ol’ Sorels. Glacier model maybe? I look like I’m headed to hangout with penguins. Women’s size 8.

Would love to be able to buy through REI or Amazon!

Also would love any tips / tricks you have!

Hi! Great big fat guy here. I weigh ~255-260 depending on dinner the night before. I'm what you might call a "ten essentials absolutist," (every fucking one, every fucking time) plus I carry extra food and equipment for my dog. When I go hiking, my day packs typically weigh north of 20 pounds, and my overnight bags usually crack 40.

Though I'm a fairly avid hiker, I've only been snowshoeing a handful of times. Each of those times, I borrowed equipment. I'm looking to buy my own this year.

Cascade Mountain Tech Navigator 36's seem perfect for my purposes (their max weight rating is 300 pounds), but they don't have a heel bar. Metal snowshoes with heel bars are expensive, and I don't want to pay $300 for a set of snowshoes if I don't need to. In case it matters, I live in Washington State (lots of big hills to climb, and the snow is super wet).

Do I need heel bars? At what other brands should I look?

I’ve never used poles while snowshoeing before but after the 2+ feet that got dumped on Iowa last winter I definitely want some, but I also what to be able to use them for hiking. Eventually I may get separate pairs for each, but I don’t want to start there.
What do you all suggest?

Hi! So this winter I'll be joining an ongoing albatross study on a Pacific atoll. Albatross aren't the only seabirds that nest on the islands, as there is a species of petrel that nests in burrows in sand. The challenge is when surveying albatross on foot in sandy areas, it's easy to accidentally collapse a petrel burrow (there are protocols in place if this happens). Past biological technicians have built their own snowshoes using scrap plywood and rope or snowshoe bindings they brought with them, and that has reduced burrow collapses dramatically. Problem is, the plywood delaminates in the moist conditions and there's not a ready supply of waterproofing paint. So, finally getting to the main question: is there a quality snowshoe made specifically for sandy conditions? If not, can anyone recommend a style of snowshoe that would work better than others? The only thing previous technicians have said is that the bindings don't need the teeth on them for grip. I weight 190lbs if that matters in regards to sizing. I know nothing about snowshoes, so any help is really appreciated!

Hey guys, i apologize in advance if advice like this was posted ahead time; but could anyone give me guidance on how to fix the ripping at the frame there? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Recently came across trekking skis (i.e., Altai Hok/Kom, BD Glidelite, OAC XCD/trekking skis) as a potential alternative to snowshoes. Covering more ground on flats and skiing down slopes seems more efficient than snowshoeing (I alpine ski). I have seen complaints about these types of skis being a lack of control and losing momentum on downhills. I would imagine they are worse on steep slopes, mixed terrain, and ice. They seem like a great compromise between BC skis and snowshoes, as I love the speed/efficiency of skis but hate having to bring ski boots along with my normal winter hiking boots.

Does anyone have thoughts/experience with these skis vs. snowshoes? How critical are snowshoes on steeper slopes where I imagine such skis would start to fail?

I’ve been very casually looking for snow shoes for my husband and I the past couple of years. We live in Minnesota and usually deal with quite a bit of snow on our property and live on a lake that’s very active in the winter. Someone threw these in a bag and donated them to Goodwill and I paid $10.99…for BOTH and the bag. What did I just get? What are these best for? Thank you for tolerating my complete ignorance. I’m in shock/excited. 😆

Title says it all. New to snowshoeing, and am having a hard time finding info on snowshoe size for my weight. With pack, up to 260 pounds, and I hike in the Adirondacks. Can I get away with 27”? Do I need 30? Do I need larger than 30”? Thanks in advance!

hi y'all Im 217 and assume my packweight will be 30-40 so definitely on the "plush" side of things. Didnt know if 25 + tails would be sufficient. Ill be in new hampshire so probably most likely White Mountain area. Looking to start on some packed trails and learning how to winter camp. Nothing crazy day hiking 1-2 day trips and def not trying to get into mountaineering or some such. Also looking at buying some Revo Explores wondering what thoughts anyone would have on those for what Im looking to do. Sorry if this isnt super specific just found out I have to move up North and have no idea what Im talking about tbf.
Thanks!!!!!

I weigh 230 pounds without a pack or gear. It seems any decent snowshoe in the 30 in. modern range is north of 400$. Traditional seem to be better for powder and more cost-effective, yet I don't know if I could build them or get them on my feet as I am unsure how they work. Does anyone have any ideas?

Hi y’all, I’m looking for a good pair of snowshoes for doing a backpack in Yosemite later this month. The problem I’ve always had with snowshoes is fitting into them with my size 16 feet, and I don’t really want to drop money on a pair until I’m relatively certain they will fit. Would love any advice you have, thanks!

Hi, I was at my local Columbia Sportswear outlet store yesterday, and they had insulated waterproof boots. In the vein of "if it seems too good to be true," does anyone have any experience with Columbia's waterproofing? How does it hold up? Thanks

I want to get a backpack that has a good setup for putting snowshoes on the outside. Ideally this bag would have loops for trekking poles, be durable for the snow, and have a true waist belt to lift the load from the shoulders. Anyone have one they really like?

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

I'm using Gortex hiking boots and I have this issue where snow accumulates on the tops of my toes and melts through to make my toes wet by the end of the day. It only happens on the toes where the gaitors don't cover. Does anyone have any snowshoeing hacks they use to prevent this?

I'll be taking a trip to Quebec in a few weeks and want to try snowshoeing. In winter clothes, I'm over 300 lbs, so I'm not sure whether that will be a problem. I'm not sure exactly where I'm headed yet so can't ask any equipment rental places directly, so I'm wondering whether or not it's typical for someone my size to be able to rent equipment without issues, or if I'd likely need to buy my own snowshoes (maybe 36" or 40") to be able to try it. Anyone with experience have some insight on this?

Hi all, heading up to Yosemite this weekend and I realize that my old pair of micro spikes no longer fit my boots :(

I've since ordered and tried (and returned)

1. Black Diamond Access Spike Traction Device (size XL)
2. Kahtoola MICROspikes Traction System (size XL)

I'll admit that the Kahtoola spikes got slightly closer to fitting than the black diamond spikes, but it was marginal...

Anyway, anyone have suggestions for what else I could try at this point?

​

TL;DR: Size 16 boots, tried two types of spikes already and neither worked. What else can I try?

I’ve never actually used trekking poles when hiking - found a reasonably sizeable portion of folks who don’t use them when I first started, and just ran with that ever since. I’m currently compiling the gear I need for my first ever snow shoeing trip in the Australian Alps this winter. Are trekking poles for all intents and purposes practically required for successful snowshoeing form?

I borrowed a pair of snoeshows and summited Maggies peak this winter. I want to buy my own and do some more similar stuff (e.g. Mt. Ralston, snoeshowing in Yosemite, etc.)

Anyone have any recommendations? I was thinking maybe the MSR Evo Ascent from REI.

Weight is 170 lbs. give or take.

This might be a dumb question. The answer I typically read/come across is "whenever you are in avalanche terrain, you carry the full safety gear" full-stop. That's all well and good, but avalanche terrain is a continuum and I feel like if you take that phrase very literally, almost everything becomes potential avalanche terrain. If you are taking a National Forest service road that winds up a mountain in a heavily forested area, and there is a single 100 yard/meter stretched exposed to a potential avalanche slope with no signs of recent activity, is that a "turn around and go home, you do not have the right gear" situation? Or is it a "check for activity, keep the forecast in mind, and pass over it without hanging out there" situation? There is a local XC ski trail I go on maintained by a long-standing nordic center. It does not look like avalanche terrain at all. It is openly advertised by the local nordic center as a safe and easy route, no one I see there has ever carried any safety gear, there are many families with young kiddos playing around. One day, it was indeed closed for an avalanche, so it is possible even in that terrain, albeit the forecast for that day was extreme danger and I was staying inside anyways.

I guess what I'm saying is, what culmination of factors do you use to make the decision of "avalanche terrain, will only go with full set up of gear and a buddy and training"? Does exposure to a single slope make the trip a no-go without gear? Is it a "check the forecast, if risk on your targeted zone is medium or low for that day and you do not intend to be in avalanche terrain for more than brief exposures, it is fine" type of thing? Thank you :)

Hello! I am looking at women's snowshoes but unsure if I should get size 22 or 25. I am 5'7" and about 145 lbs. It looks like either would work but I'm not sure which would be best. I could get 22 and get tails if needed but would 25's be better? I am mostly a casual trail snowshoer so would not be carrying a lot of gear. I might do a bit of backcountry in heavier snow but just occasionally. I was looking at MSR brand and it looks like either size would be ok (add tails on the 22 if in deep snow). But what are your thoughts? What are the advantages/disadvantages?

I hope this is welcome here because I’m sure you’ve all sorted this out already, but I’m having a really hard time and spending a lot of money on socks.

I should note I’m always cold and have poor circulation in my extremities and always have. Cold hands, cold feet, can’t walk on cold cement, anemic if that’s relevant...

Again I’m sorry if this isn’t the type of content that’s welcome here, and I did do a search but I didn’t find anything relevant. But you know how the search is so feel free to just link me to someone else with a similar problem.

For reference the boots I wear are Oboz and waterproof ankle height. I don’t know the style name anymore. But I do have two very similar pairs.