Best snowshoeing equipment according to redditors

Oder Spikes auf die Schuhe -. beim Eisstockschießen gar nicht so verkehrt: https://www.amazon.de/Limuwa-Schuhspikes-Schuhkrallen-Deluxe-passend/dp/B005PY28RY/

In Wien brauche ich aber zur Zeit https://www.amazon.de/Allround-Schneeschuhe-aus-Aluminium-Transporttasche/dp/B000OC1QG6/

I picked up the Tubbs Flex RDG and have been completely happy with the floatation. I'm 6'0", 190 and carry camera gear and pack of probably 15-20 lbs. I hike in the Rockies mostly on used trails, but I like to go off trail especially on the downhill.

I bought these 3 years ago and use them summer and winter. They're amazing.

Black Diamond 793661307143 Alpine Trekking Poles, One Size, Carbon Cork https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C51L06O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_w5z4DbXVX2GYE

If you want to spend some money, these are awesome too:

MSR Snowshoe Bag, Tote Bag for Carrying, Packing and Storing Snowshoes, Fits Snowshoes Up to 25 Inches https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LFJOI30/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_66z4DbY6CR403

Can I sway your options a bit?? Check out the MSR Revo Explores. Fully featured, heel lift, side rail traction, ratchet straps (SUPER easy on and off!) and, like all MSRs, they have the optional extension tails available, so if you anticipate heavy powder and a full pack, you have the option to extend them. I just picked up a used pair for a recent hike. Loved them!

Edit: looks like this last seasons models are on sale and slightly cheaper on msr’s website. $165 w/ free shipping (code: MSRFREESHIPPING2018).

If you have an REI near you, they should carry them (if you wanted to check them out in person.) They don’t appear to have them discounted though, but you could still check them out before committing to buy online.

Your atlas shoes look pretty nice also, and have basically the same features. Just thought I would suggest these as they’d give you the option to lengthen them if needed. Here are the weight specs for my pair:
25” Revo Explores: 1923g (67.8oz)
5” Revo Extension Tails: 370g (13.1oz)
Total: 2293g (80.9oz)

I bought a really decent starter pair on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Snowshoes-antishock-adjustable-snowshoes-carrying/dp/B0046OKNM6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420469133&sr=8-1&keywords=snowshoes

I used them once last year and found them really solid. I have since upgraded to a much nicer pair, but I have a buddy that I go snowshoeing with and he uses this pair exclusively. I think you can do quite well with an inexpensive pair for your first couple of years. The pair I bought was only a bit over $100 and I don't see any reason to ever upgrade them. They seem like they are going to last me a decade and they do exactly what I want them to.

Snowshoes are something that you strap on over your shoes. They increase your footprint and allow you to walk on the snow without sinking as much as you would with regular shoes.

My house backs up to an old abandoned mining property (~500 acres of greenbelt basically). Starting from my house, I have a trail that heads into that greenbelt. Where I live, once it snows, the snow is there for the winter. Once we got to about 6", I started my trail. Since I know the trail isn't going to disappear, I've only been adding to it 100-200 feet at a time, every couple days. Right now, it's a little over a mile long.

I could make the trail longer, and I did last year, but I wanted to make this trail ~5 snowshoes wide so that my wife and I can walk side-by-side.

Making the trail consists of putting on my snowshoes, calling for the dog to join me, grabbing an axe (more for protection from moose, but occasionally I chop a small tree down), and heading out on the existing trail. Once I get to the end of the trail, I pick my direction and start making a winding trail through the trees. I make the trail by picking my snowshoe up, eyeballing about half the length of the snowshoe, and stomping down to pack it as much as I can. I repeat this until I've gone five snowshoe widths and then go forward. When I get to a stopping point, I pack down a big 10' circle then turn around.

The reason for the circle is just in case it snows a bunch, I may have trouble finding my trail, but if I have a circle every 100-200 feet, I can connect the dots.

Ok, so I've sort of narrowed it down to these three:

Chinook Trekker Snowshoes

PowdeRidge Crest Snowshoes

Yukon Charlies Women's Sherpa Series Snowshoe

Since the reviews all seem about the same, does anybody have any experience with any of these (or the brands)?

This is my first year snowshoeing, so I'm hardly an expert. I went cheap and got [these ones] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GWFNEMS/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2GMIUMN9UVY97&coliid=I13NFIXIDQ6XKF&psc=1). I recommend renting a pair first and trying it out before you buy. Next Adventure, Ski Bowl and Timberline all offer rentals. The folks down at Next Adventure could give you good advice on what to buy if you decide to go that route.

Thank you LookingForViews - your advice and comments have been invaluable throughout my mini adventure this time. I wanted to thank first before I forget!

I'm very curious about "several reasons why one would choose to hike a peak when it offers no views." Care to elaborate?

I wish I had taken a full picture of the rented snowshoes I used ... here's one that only shows the tip of it. https://imgur.com/08kLpTo

I recall toward the rear it said "Ascent" But it was all metal except for straps, not plastic. I just looked up and this one looks like the one I had ... the strap is exactly the same. This strap to me was a nightmare but maybe I wasn't using it correctly. Yes, their binding is finicky!!! https://www.amazon.com/MSR-5643-Evo-Snowshoe-22-Inch/dp/B00LFJNDUE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518653733&sr=8-1&keywords=msr+evo+ascent+red

When you glissade on snowshoes, do you worry that you may not be able to stop and hit a tree or something? Or are you always sure that you can make a stop when you need to?

You are so right about coming down Phelps with this snowshoes' strap going awry all the time like it was! I also know for the next time I won't carry so many clothing, and 3 liters of hot water was also a little too much to carry. I ended up dumping one liter. It really slowed me down and my roommate at the lodge was very worried about me for returning so late! (I got lost too ... between Marcy Dam and loj! and I also lost rented poles and had to track back .... which I didn't use anyway...!)

Nice man, both your kits are pretty solid. I'm at work so I can't be as thorough as I would like but here are a few ideas that stood out.

1/8" Pad: Drop it, cut two panels off your zlite to use as the frame and then just pull them out the pack to use at night to sleep. I did this all summer with my KS50 and it worked great. You'll need to cut a little bit off the width for it to fit, but it's minimal and not noticeable when sleeping.

Headlamps: There are much lighter headlamp options and many prefer flashlights for night hiking to bring the light closer to waist level and elongate the shadows. You can also clip them to a brim of a hat for hands free use around camp. A little thrunite ti3 would be a good bet if you don't plan on much night hiking, or a Nitecore Tip 2017 for night hiking.

Knife: The Victorinox Classic SD only weighs 22grams or if all you need is a knife check out Spyderco Ladybug at 16grams. Avoid amazon for the ladybug, there are counterfeits going around i hear.

FAK: You could likely pair this down, mine only weighs 1.5oz

Houdini P/O: Seems unnecessary with the versalite? But I've never worn the Nano-Air Light Hoody, is the idea that the houdini would provide a breathable wind barrier when used in combination? I know this is a common strategy with fleece.

Kahtoola Micro Spikes: If we end up needing them this year I'm going to try Snowline Chainsen Light. Quite a bit lighter than microspikes.

On a side note, when do you start? I'm heading out on May 18th. Edit: Nevermind...somehow missed this in your post...maybe I'll see you all in Oregon or Washington! I'm targeting a late August finish.

So, youre saying that the black diamond contact crampons are more appropriate considering the angle of the climb. Makes sense, i've only used crampons for glacier wall climbing -- those obviously necessitate the horizontal spike.

As for the boots, I was hoping to get away with my current hiking boots + gaiters. Sounds like you had a bad experience with your current boots, can i ask what kind of boots you wore? Were they waterproof? Have you considered winter overshoes?

https://www.amazon.com/Neos-Voyager-Winter-Overshoes-Black/dp/B002YEKEJ2

> Are they like you see in the movies are are we talking like a dedicated boot or soemthing?

Neither, really. The movies tend to show antique snowshoes made of wood and catgut (the tennis racket look), and I have never seen a slip on boot type. Instead, they are more like strap on sandals.

You will want to already be wearing a sturdy boot that is water resistant (or waterproof) and warm. I use my snowboarding boots. You step into the strap and sole system toe first, slip the loop around your heel, then use the pull-tight cinch system atop your foot to secure it all. To release, you pop the buckle atop your foot.

A good snowshoe will be framed in metal, and will have a metal heel rise bar for use on steeper ascents. It should also have a metal based crampon type addition underneath for traction on harder surfaces like ice, or hard packed snow. I use the Atlas Reactiv model, but they are 6 years old now, and have been replaced by this model. The 25 inch version supports me beautifully with a total loaded weight of 175 pounds.

You could start with a cheaper model, but the one I linked would be the only pair you need to buy regardless of how far you go in winter sports. I have used them to bag many local peaks for some backcountry snowboarding, so they would certainly serve you well for some lightly loaded romping.

i fear those shoes would not fare well in such a cool climate.

i recommend these. they come with a free carrying bag.

Easton Technical Products (ETP) seems to be dissociated from the main Easton company.

There's also Easton Mountain Prodcucts. They make snow shoes (my dad designed them back in 2008): http://www.amazon.ca/Easton-419696-SL-Lightweight-Ergonomic/dp/B007UO734U

Hmm. Any idea the price of the tubbs? I saw some different brand there the other day, but it was over $100 I believe.

I'm considering no name aluminum frames from Ocean State for $40, or these https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GWFNEMS/

We will only be going in the woods with them, but the woods here consist of some pretty moderate hills, not really flat.