Wednesday I spent my Christmas bonus on snowshoes. I’ve wanted a pair for about 5 years. I bought a pair of Atlas shoes on sale at a sporting goods store, mostly on a whim and because I’ve heard that this was going to be a long, cold winter. Now they’re predicting 8-16 inches of snow in our region. I am so stoked. Any snowshoers out there with any advice?
I don’t own any, so I don’t have advice, but my husband and I want to get some because we heard snowshoeing is a great workout. How much do they cost (generally)?
Thanks.
Dew:
Mine were about $85.00 at Dick’s Sporting Goods. Post-Christmas Sale. They are rated by weight, which makes it easy to shop. I weigh +/- 185, but I went with the 250-lb rated shoes thinking that I might want to backpack with them some day (and also that someone heavier than me might want to try them out.
I have snowshoed with the army and advice follows -
Practice, practice. Much easier if you have a pole of some sort
Don’t assume your shoes are doing nothing and kick them off for a stroll (shocked when I dropped in up to my hip)
BRING WATER - it’s a workout and a half, also layer your clothes, it gets pretty warm.
That’s my advice. I was actually considering getting a pair. More so now that snow is pretty deep this year.
One more thing, watch the weight of your gear. I fell multiple times and physically could not straighten my knees under the weight, some guy had to come and haul me to my feet, quite embarassing.
Don’t be worried if you thow yourself into the snow a few times before you are used to it… It takes a while to get the shuffle down.
Hey CS, that’s terrific. I hope you have a blast!
My darling wife just got me a pair too, with poles to match. Haven’t got a clue what I’m doing, but we’re supposed to get a foot of snow tomorrow, so I suspect I’ll figure it out soon enough.
Anyone know what the hell I’m supposed to wear on my legs? Ski pants seem like they’ll be too hot…winter running tights just don’t seem right in the snow, and neither do jeans.
Hey CS, did you get a chance to try them yet?
Converts! Converts!
My favorite winter pastime. Some thoughts:
It’s MUCH easier with a set of poles. I don’t know how I’d keep my balance without them (of course I love shoeing in the powder, up hill and down dale). Just step on out; it’s like walking, only easier. Ditto on the water suggestion.
As for what to wear, I wear fleecey type pants. Sometimes with windpants or snow bibs, depending on conditions. If there’s new snow, windpants or bibs will keep you from coating yourself from the butt down with snow when you walk (not to mention what happens when you fall). The key element of my wardrobe is a pair of those NEOS overshoes that you slip your boots right into. I have the ones that come up to my knees. They keep my feet warmer, too. Or, you can try a pair of gaiters.
I wish we were getting ANY new snow here in CO. Even 2 - 3 inches. Sigh.