Does anyone have these and what kind? We had some snow over the weekend and there was a guy at the park across from my house with them on but I didn't get over to ask him about them. I remember reading about snowshoes I think in Cooking Thin and thought it would be fun to have them but I really know nothing about them. Of course it would help if we had more snow, we used to get tons of snow when I was a kid-not anymore but I still think the snow shoe thing would be fun.
Jill

Here is a link to the type of event I mentioned a couple of years ago This links to the PA events for you Jill.

http://www.wintertrails.org/wintertrails.php?section=event&page=affiliate_pa09

Peg

Here is a current link to REI's snowshoe section:

http://www.rei.com/category/40004010

The brand that I have isn't sold anymore, but TUBBS brand appears to be very similar.

http://www.tubbssnowshoes.com/

Peg - It's hard to argue with great bindings.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sheltieguy,

Hope you find something you like a lot Jill! I'm going to try and snowshoe more this year for sure. Our season doesn't really start in earnest until January and at the rate our weather is going it might be February. I'm not complaining but we haven't had more than a couple of days of cold weather and it only rained in my part of town. There's not even anything on the back peaks yet. I'm sure it'll show it's face soon though.

ETA: I guess I didn't tell you what brand I have when I responded last time. I have a pair of MSR Snowshoes and I LOVE the way they bind. They are not the cheapest but you'll be out of them in 2.3 seconds and making your way faster toward your warm and toasty car or building.
Peg

i love the thought of snow. we just do not get it in chapel hill much.


hmmm...

good luck with your shoes jilly. i can see you---your new shoes in a foot of snow---perhaps a holiday photo that you can send out????

I am bumping this up in anticipation of a bad winter here. I have made up my mind to buy snowshoes, finally! Considering about an hour away there was a foot of snow two days ago, I think that may be an indication of what is to come. Funny, our parking fees are going up in January so I told my boss if it gets too bad and snowy I'll just snow shoe there in winter, LOL! I really do want to get them.

Sheltieguy-would you still make the same recommendations or have you found a better brand/style?

Peg-I am going to call our local ski shops and see if they have any rentals. I'm sure in No. Colorado you get way more snow for trying out the snow shoes-but if the winter goes as predicted, there may be many places to try them out.

Jill

Jill,
I recommend renting them if you can. Especially if you can find different brands to rent. The primary difference is the way that they bind to your boots.

Also, check in with your local outdoors store (like REI or EMS). They should know if/when there are events presented by snowshoe manufacturers where you can try the snowshoes out, etc. There are one or 2 of those that I know of every year here and usually around this time of the year.

You might also want to look for a used pair if you can. Watch for used gear sales at REI or groups like the Colorado Mountain Club (we have 2 member sales a year).

Peg

See:

[OBSOLETE LINK DELETED]

including the "How To Choose Snowshoes" link, which is a pop-up window.

I have (modern type) Sherpa Snow Claws, but don't know if that brand is made any more. Modern metal tube shoeshoes are better/easier than the old wooden kind, for a variety of reasons. In addition, I like the toe "claw" included in my snowshoe, for walking in icy conditions. When I snowshoe, I use one cross country ski pole, as a walking stick.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sheltieguy,