Snowshoes

[rooster 58]

     Thanks guys, for all your help and advice. It certainly appears that everyone has their preferences, for sure. In that vein, I like the looks of the wooden shoes, not to say I won't end up with the metal frames. Tomorrow I'm going over to Ridgway, Pa. to rent a pair for a few days. We have about 8" of dry powder right now with 2-4 more expected today.

      They only rent and sell the Tubbs, but said they could probably get the traditional variety. They do not sell their rental shoes at the end of the season. I do like the sound of the bindings that someone posted about the ease of use, so I'll have to check it out

    Thanks Again Guys ;), Scott

[Yoopersaw]

The shoes that I have seen broken was due to a lack of snow depth and the shoes bridging 2 rocks or hidden logs.  I don't use snowshoes in powder that is less than the upper calf in depth and prefer a pair of snow gaiters.  http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/gaiters.html   It's a lot safer on hills and rocky terrain to be in good boots and also lighter on the feet if your covering a bunch of territory.  Heavy wet snow, a foot is enough usually for snowshoes.

[rooster 58]

    Well, yesterday I picked up the shoes. I'll try them later today. As yooper says, there's not alot of snow so I will stick to forest service roads and such. I'm just hoping to get a feel for the sport and see if I like it.

    On another note, the clerk told me of a lady that has a set of shoes for sale. I learned from her that she has a set of modified bearpaws, sive 13x36, a set of Lechy? poles and a new pair of gators. The shoes look like new, she says they've been used less than six times. She's asking 150.00 for the shoes and poles, and is willing to sell the gators as well. She was going to sell them with cross country skis that she's trying to sell. I might see if she will throw the gators in for the 150.00

   What ya guys think?

[JohnM]

Sounds like a good deal but I really don't know. ??? 

If the snow isn't deep you may not be able to tell if you like them because honestly they won't be helping you much.  Once you get into a couple of feet or more is when they shine.  In deep snow you still sink but after a half hour try taking them off and break a trail, you'll quickly see how much they help. ;)  Also you will be pretty sore the next couple of days after, the shoes change your stance/gait and use different muscles than normal.  Those have been my experiences at least.  Have fun!

JM

[isawlogs]

 I have Atlas shoes as well , these have gone to the north pole so they are broken in  ;D  a 700+ kilometer treck will do that .

  That being said, I do have traditional shoes also, but I keep them as wall hangers now, they need a lot more attention then I care to give a pair of shoes. Atlas have a good kleet and the bindings are so much easier to deal with then those on the traditional babiche snowshoe. Snow has changed here over the years and has more crust so the kleet is so welcomed, no more back sliding and they are much lighter.

[Yoopersaw]

That sounds like a deal.  What brand shoes are they?

[rooster 58]

    Oh, sorry Yooper :embarassed: I forgot to mention they are Fabers ;)

[Yoopersaw]

They sure look like some top notch shoes.

[SwampDonkey]

Now your learn'n 

[rooster 58]

    Well, the report is in. There really wasn't enough snow to get a good idea how they performed. We have about 8" of powder here, so When I walked I could "feel" the ground. I did get a feel for what it's like to walk on them tho.

    One thing I noticed is that with my slightly flat feet is that as I stepped down the shoes were not quite level from side to side. Maybe it won't matter in  deeper snow.

Overall the experience definitely will warrant another try with more suitable conditions. I don't know if that will happen this year or not :-\

[gspren]

   Years ago before my one ankle went bad my brother and I used snowshoes to hike into our hunting camp in late winter. We rented a few different styles and eventually I bought a pair of army surplus alum frame shoes that held up well, now they just hang on the wall of my man cave. Aluminum like wood comes in many grades and qualities so watch out for cheapies of any material.

[petefrom bearswamp]

Too many miles on snowshoes.
I now have my 3rd pair of Iverson modified bear paw with very little on them.
Of the The previous 2 pairs I had one wore out (the webbing) and the other was destroyed in a small fire in my shop.
25 years as a forester marking timber.