Snowshoeing.

I like snowshoeing. Take my advice with a grain of salt, I didn't research much. I just asked a friend who knew what he was doing, what I should buy. I have an older model of these ones I think. I do like the part that you flip up to walk on for steep terrain. I think it is worth it for that. My snowshoes are a bit longer and seem to kick up a bit more snow than most peoples, so I have to wear snowpants, so I don't get a cold wet butt. That might just be due to the type of snow we have here though.

I wear hiking boots with mine. I have snowboots too which would work, but my hiking boots are more comfortable to walk in. I have put botties over my hiking boots too, but I used old botties, because the snowshoes can tear them up if you get them stuck over the bottom of the snowshoe.

I have used running snowshoes before too which were fine, but really like running, so if I ever wanted to go snowshoe running again, I'd probably just rent some.

I guess it just depends on what type of terrain you will be covering most. 

Thanks for the input guys!  Looks like I'm going to be making a trip down to REI in Madison, WI this weekend.  I defiantly want to look at them before I buy.  At least now I am not completely in the dark. 

The prices seem pretty reasonable to, which makes me happy.  I think I can get a decent pair + boots + poles for under $500.

Thanks for the advice there, I do appreciate it - and I would normally agree with you but I have the money to spend and I want to spend it on this.  I am getting a bonus from work next month and am spending $500 on something for myself, the rest is going into savings and paying off a credit card.  So its a bit of a splurge and a treat!

That sounds like fun though - maybe I'll just take you up on that!

Awesome - I am a member. 

X

I love snowshoeing - nothing better than getting out there in the snow  and the quiet!

I'd agree that $500 is probably overkill for snowshoes, you can probably get everything you need for $300 and then buy yourself some decent clothes (which are important when you're working up a sweat in the snow). I live in Colorado, snowshoe quite a bit, and have used a pair of Redfeathers that I got for less than $100 for years - I've done multiple hut trips carrying a 30-40 lb pack for 6-8 miles in the backcountry, and they've served me well for that. A couple things that I think are important:

- Like others said, make sure you get the right pair for your weight, otherwise they won't float well enough

- You do want to make sure you have warm COMFORTABLE boots. This is where I 'd say spend your money. I've had a friend have a miserable time on a snowshoe trip because she was wearing cheap Cabela's boots that tore up her heels. I wear a pair of Columbia boots - they weren't expensive, but they fit my feet perfectly, which is key.

- I don't always use poles, but around here definitely like to have them for steeper trails. We have the kind that telescope, so you can make them small to stick on your pack if you aren't using them, and adjust to your height if you need them.

- I wear snowpants if it's cold enough, but usually work up enough heat that I can get away with just running tights - when that's the case, it's nice to have a pair of gaiters to keep the snow out of your boots.

Have fun!

I got a Yukon Charlie snowshoe package as a Birthday present the fall I was in Utah.  Basic snowshoes plus poles.  I wrote them asking for replacement lock mechanisms for the poles as one was broken, and they sent me a new set of poles.  I had several friends with the same set, so we kept what we could as "spare parts."  

I wore my Asolo TPS520 (non Gor-Tex) hiking boots and gaiters.  Most of the time, we were out for 1-3 hours on previously hiked trails and I didn't have problems with cold or wet feet.  No gaiters in the attached pic.  

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