Snowshoe Selection

How to select your snowshoe

To help you in choosing the right snowshoe, answer the following questions:

• How much will you weigh when snowshoeing (body weight + weight of anything you'll be carrying)?
  Click on the sizing chart next to each snowshoe model to determine which size will work best for you.
• What snow conditions will you be in mostly?
  If you will mostly be in deep and dry powder, consider a larger snowshoe than if you will be in heavy or packed snow.
• What will you be doing on your snowshoes? What will the terrain be like? Hiking or climbing steep terrain, running, or walking on packed trails?
  Answering these questions will help you determine how much performance you require and what features you will need. For example, if you will be doing a lot of climbing, you will want aggressive traction and a heel lift; if you are running, you will want the lightest weight snowshoes with less traction.
• Will you be wearing special footwear?
  Although most snowshoe bindings accommodate a variety of footwear sizes and styles, if you are wearing specialty footwear such as mountaineering boots, snowboard boots, or insulated hunting boots, you will want to make sure the bindings of the snowshoes you are considering fit your footwear.