Hi all,

I just posted this question on the Alaskan forum, but since I usually post here and many of you use snowshoes, I'd appreciate your advice.

My rawhide and wood Bear Paws have just kicked the bucket and I want to upgrade.

Here is what I am looking for:

1. The BEST modern snowshoes for off-trail trekking, trapping and late season big game hunting. I would also use them for general fitness walks or scouting trips.

2. Moderate terrain, though may want to climb a steep mountain side from time to time.

3. Load capacity average of 210 pounds (myself and light gear, rifle etc.) but if packing animals will occassionally reach 250-300 pounds. I may, on occassion, carry a heavy pack or am in fluffy snow and want to stay on top but on average my total weight on the snowshoes will be 210 pounds.
4. Strong bindings with easy on-off

I am looking for suggestions or comments on my top picks so far:
1. Atlas 1230 Snowshoes (weight 4.5 pounds)30" long,rated 170-250 pounds
2. Atlas Frontier 36 Snowshoes (weight 6 pounds), 36" long, rated 220-300 pounds

Photo:

I am torn between these two models as for 90%+ of my time, I will be under the 250 pound weight load, yet if I need the extra capacity, I may really need it. The longer model is about 1.5 pounds heavier. It will also not be as maneuverable in brush or thick forest conditions. Both are the same price and I am willing to pay more for lighter, stronger if they exist.

What boots do you typically wear with yours (Pack boots, insulated hiking/hunting boots)?

If you also have a suggestion on a single or pair of trekking poles (Winter and/or Autumn use) that might double as a rifle bi- or monopod, I am all ears.

Thanks in advance for your experience sharing!

P.S. I am renting both models next week to try them out.

I have tried many different models of snowshoes and used them nearly daily in rough terrain here. The best design that I have found for ease of use and durability is the Atlas 1033/1044. I use the 1033 when I'm light and the snow is supportive and the longer version when the snow is unconsolidated. These take a ton of abuse and the "spring" built into the binding design makes a huge difference, esp. uphil.

I'm not sure how the 10 series compares to the 12 series you showed above but the binding design looks similar.

If you want my opinion, get the toughest pair you can, even if it means a bit more weight as any shoe will carry a certain amt. of snow and the diff. in the weights of shoes is inconsequential in real terms--the inconvenience/danger presented by a broken shoe in the sticks is not. I would also recommend the longer shoe, I weigh about what you do and you can use a longer shoe equally well in supportive conditions but a short shoe in the fluff is a real handicap.

Sorry to hijack the thread, but to you guys who hunt off snow shoes, at what point are they worthwearing? If the average depth of snow is say knee deep, are they worth the trouble?

Regards,

Pete

Pete,
It totally depends on the conditions. In light fluffy snow it can be almost waist deep before its worth trying the shoes (this kinda snow doesn't hold you up in shoes and falls back in on top of them making it harder to lift your leg to step). With snow that has a crust that is not quite stiff enough to hold you without shoes, 6" is too much without them.

The short answer is "there is no set rule...you just know". And the old saying always applies..."better to have them and not need them, then need them and not have them".

CL,
We have traditionally always used Sherpa's in the bush, so that's what I have at home. My GF bought some MSR plastic shoes with removeable tails a couple years back...they work great. In fact, last Christmas my buddies did the "snowshoe trip of a lifetime" (a 10 day trip up and over the Purcell Mts) and two of them used the same MSR plastics...they worked great apparently. These guys use them for trapping and cat hunting too, and love them. Worth looking at.



Link to MSR Denali at MEC

I don't usually use trekking poles, but have taken my x-country ski poles with me on some snowshoe trips (particularly when I am excercising...you can go a little more quickly with poles to keep you upright).

I usually just use my standard lace up pac boots (I am currently using White's, but Schnee's are probably a little better). You can use standard Sorel's/Baffins, but they don't give you the support you will want on longer trips or more technical terrain. In spring I frequently just use my summer hiking boots with gaiters to keep the snow out.



Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Canuck

i posted this on the alaskan board but the more who hear the better

http://www.crescentmoonsnowshoes.com/

check these out...

the silver series expedition is what you need but the gold is better (not by much) and the silver represents the better value

they are good for heavy loads or deep snow. i was led on to these by a guy at a great shop who did not even sell them so he had nothing to gain and evrything to lose but my trust. i weigh 250 with all my gear so these are ideal and great for the price. a great value!

snowcat, sound advice. thanks.

Pete, Canuck is right on the money. You just know when you should use them.

To Canuck's example of "better to have them and not need them, then need them and not have them", I remember an episode where I was hunting with a friend for Mulies and Bighorns near the B.C./Alberta border when an overnight snowstorm dumped almost 3 feet by 6a.m. The snow was too deep for our ATVs to budge more than 10-20 feet at a time. Problem was we had about 10 miles, 3 river crossings and several steep hills to get through to where we parked the trucks. Snowshoes helped us get out to our trucks with a lot less effort than walking through waist deep snow-heck probably shaved off several precious hours of time. We ended up renting snowmobiles to get back and break trail to get our equipment out. Trust me, snowmobiles can get through shallow river crossings

I never used to bother with snowshoes for the longest time...I just bulldozed through most anything- now, I find myself using them for special applications (late hunts, snaring/trapping, ice fishing, recreation, back-up to snowmobile/ATV etc...) and enjoying them more and getting more out of my winter expeditions. In some cases, like when I worked up in Labrador, they were essential to get around off the snowmobile or Caribou trails as the snows were typically always waist deep or deeper with drifts.

Canuck, I'll take another look at the MSRs and your other suggestions. Sounds like your buddies had a great trip! I am anxious to make the switch from rawhide and wood to todays super synthetics and/or aluminum.

Boomstick, I'll take a look. Thanks

the atlas are $70 more...i dont know if that is an issue...

CL, I have 30" Atlas shoes and find they float substantially better than the equivelant sized mesh shoes. I wouldnt get over 30" and wish I had something a touch smaller... obviously everyone's mileage varies depending on terrain and snow, but you sure as heck can't go wrong with Atlas, they're as good as it gets.

I rabbit hunt with snowshoes quite often in my neck of the woods. The best snow shoes I have found are the metal frame USA military surplus that you can buy from the sportsman guide. I have 5 or 6 other kinds but the surplus ones are tough. They have cable for webing. Bruce

The finest "misery slippers" I have ever seen or used are my Coles Expedition models made in Issaquah, WA. and retailed by MEC in Vancouver: unfortunately, they are no longer made. I have done a LOT of snowshoing, both at work and for fun and will be going out again in a couple of weeks.

I like the larger Atlas shoes and I am big with a large pack, I have found 10"x36" best, overall and suggest this size for you. I am very interested in the Crescent Moon shoes and just about bought a pair before Christmas, the largest Gold Expedition size.

I will not be without snowshoes available to me in the winter in B.C. and carry a worn, but servicable pair of Cascade Designs originals in my vehicle even on highway trips. The mountain passes here are sometimes blocked with huge snowslides and I carry my older, but effective gear as an emergency backup if I ever get stuck.

I have done many solo trips of several days in the area mentioned by Canuck and this is probably my favourite outdoor activity....and it gets you in SHAPE!

It sounds like you're in the market for Pac boots also. Avoid the Whites pacs...I have had many pairs (due to my allegience to their leather Smokejumpers) but they just can't seem to get the rubber bottoms right and they invariably split prematurely, I have had to have both my lineman's and elk guides rebuilt several times. Look seriously at the Schnees or the Hoffman line. The Hoffman's have a better lacing system and a harder rubber sole (also available with caulks on the instep) the Schnees come in either a full felt or thinsulate liner.

For truely cold conditions, find a pair of the US military Mickey boots, they are light and the warmest thing you can put on your feet, I use them alot for shoeing in when the temp drops. They're short so you'll need gaiters. I know of places you can get them for around $60. I put airbob soles on mine.

quote:

I have done many solo trips of several days in the area mentioned by Canuck and this is probably my favourite outdoor activity....and it gets you in SHAPE!

Kutenay, me too. Snowshoeing has been a passion of mine since I was a kid. I really enjoy it in Feb/March when the snow is dense or crusty, and you can practically run through the same bush that was a nightmare to slog through in snow-free conditions (eg. blowdown or thick azalea etc).

Snowcat...thanks for the advice on the Whites. I have owned mine for a couple seasons and they have held up pretty well, but I get the impression they aren't as tough as the Schnee's. I'll check out the Hoffman's too, when these White's finally bite the bullet.

Cheers,
Canuck

Thanks guys!

I think the problem we have is that the weather here is rarely severe enough to cause us to get specialist kit like snowshoes...

When I hunted regularly in Scotland, snow would be a problem perhaps once or twice a year...

The depth of snow was rarely a problem in itself as in most cases 6" to 8" is "a lot" for us..True, it gets a lot deeper in the drifts, but its nothing compared to conditions in certain parts of the US and Canada...

The main problem it caused me was how to still hunt in it? Breaking through that crust with every footstep on a still frosty morning is just too niosy..Its at that stage I usually wondered whether snowshoes would help...

I've seen some army surplus snow shoes for sale from time to time,and I have been tempted to try them but I'm not sure how suitable they would be or about things like bindings ect...If they worked or at least showed promise, I wouldn't mind investing in something decent...Somebody else suggested cross country skis but again its something I know nothing about..

Regards,

Pete

Atlas makes awesome snowshoes. My daughter and I both use them for both hunting and hiking. I really like there easy and well thought out bindings.
Good luck & good hunting.
Doug