Snowshoeing is a great way to experience the beauty of winter and the snow firsthand. It is suitable even for beginners of any age and fitness level. If you can walk, you can snowshoe. However, if you are a beginner it may be difficult to figure out where to start. This guide will help you learn everything you wanted to know about snowshoeing, show you how to choose snowshoes and inspire you to finally go on a snow hiking adventure. Here are some tips you should keep in mind before you head into the mountains.

What are snowshoes?

A snowshoe is a piece of footwear necessary for walking over snow. These shoes keep you afloat on the snow and help you not sink by distributing the weight of the person over a larger area. Larger surface area means that you have more snow supporting your body weight from below than you’d have if you were just wearing a regular hiking shoe.

Different types of snowshoes

Snowshoes come in a variety of types and sizes, and to choose the right pair you need to consider a few things. The most important is choosing the them according to what you are going to be using them for. There are three main types:

  • Recreational snowshoes are for those that just want to walk around a groomed trail in your area. These are simpler designs and won’t need strong traction. They are usually the cheapest snowshoes you can buy, but not very versatile.
  • Backcountry snowshoes are the upgraded version of recreational models. Each and every single feature of backcountry snowshoes is better. They’re commonly built of premium materials that can withstand more abuse and harsher conditions. Backcountry snowshoes have stronger traction and better bindings to hold larger winter boots.
  • Racing snowshoes are designed for flat terrain, usually with more tightly packed snow. These are shorter and narrower that other models, which makes it easier to keep a more natural running stride.
snowshoe sizing

Snowshoe sizing

Snowshoes are sized by their overall length, measured in inches. The size you’ll get mostly depends on your weight – the more you weigh the deeper you’ll sink in the snow. If you weigh more you’ll need a longer snowshoe, giving you better floatation. Manufacturers give recommended load for each snowshoe. For example, for Redfeather, 20″ youth models go up to maximum of 80 pounds, 21″ snowshoes go up to 125 pounds, 22″ go up to 150 pounds, 25″ are rated up to 175 pounds, 30″ shoes go up to 220 pounds, and 35 or 36″ are rated for over 220 pounds. You can find all the information on products listed on our website, so make sure to always check the specs. Have in mind that load recommendation is for both you and your gear.

Gender also plays a part in picking the right pair. Women tend to take narrower steps than men, so the tail on a woman snowshoe is usually narrower. Snowshoes for women are also made to accommodate a narrower boot.

Snow conditions you’ll be hiking in are an important factor for choosing the right size. For hiking on powdery snow, breaking trail or going off trail a lot, you might consider sizing up to a larger snowshoe. But for beginners, mostly going on trails, hard packed snow smaller options are the best.

What to consider when choosing a snowshoe?

There are a few things to look at to make sure you’ve picked the best snowshoe for your situation. The first thing to consider is the binding, the straps that keep a snowshoe attached to your boot. It should be comfortable, easy to put on and off, and easy to adjust even with the gloves on.

Next part to consider is how the binding is attached to the frame. It affects how the tail flips up, so it should be flexible and of good quality, allowing the tail to shed the snow as you walk.

On the bottom of a snow shoe you will find crampons. They provide traction if you are doing country snowshoeing with icy areas, or wherever you need lots of traction. Whether you have a recreationalist pair or something more geared towards mountaineering, crampons are essential for being able to walk confidently forward.

What are the best snowshoe brands?

MSR – Evo, Revo, Lighting

MSR is not only famous for their high-performance backpacking tents. The impressive range tailored for any kind of snowshoeing and any terrain makes MSR snowshoes the favorite choice of professionals, mountaineers and everyday explorers alike. They offer an unbeatable, lightweight combination of strong traction, unrelenting reliability and adaptability to suit any winter adventure.

msr snowshoes

Redfeather – Best Snowshoes for Beginners

Located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Readfeather are of the few brands that are completely handcrafted in the USA. They were the first to introduce the V-Tail design in 1988, and also among the first to produce shoes specifically built for women and a snowshoe just for kids.

Readfeather Hike Snowshoes sport a simplified design that is versatile and well-suited for recreational hiking in the snow. The powder coated aluminum frame provides strength and endurance, while Rip Stop Vinyl deck is resistant to punctures and abrasions. This model comes in is four different sizes that accommodate for weight, height and the depth of the snow.

Perhaps the most interesting it the line of Redfeather Kids’ Snowshoes. The SnowPaws line is designed for children age 3-7, very lightweight and easy to take on and off, with flexible and secure bindings. Plastic shoes shaped like bear claws will give kids plenty of fun time leaving foot prints in the snow.

If you want more information about these and other Redfeather snowshoes, go to our Readfeather snowshoes and snowshoeing gear page.

Atlas

Atlas Snow-Shoe Company is best known for their patented Spring-Loaded Suspension that has made snowshoeing comfortable, fun and extremely enjoyable for beginners and experts alike. This is just one of over thirteen Atlas snowshoe patents, including include the heel cleat patent, the contoured footbed, and the switchback harness. Atlas aim to deliver the most technically advanced, high performance snowshoes available today.

atlas snow-shoe company

Tubbs – Quality Snowshoeing Equipment

Founded in 1906 in Norway, Tubbs is the leading manufacturer of lightweight, versatile snowshoes for men, women and kids. They started by crafting snowshoes from fine white ash wood, and now specialize in both traditional aluminum and modern composite pieces, raising the bar for innovative snowshoe designs.

Where to get a pair – buy it or rent it?

If you are an absolute beginner it is probably better to rent shoes for your first snowshoeing. Many resorts and gear shops rent them to those who’d like to try them out. But if this is an activity you will be doing regularly, or if you live in a snowy climate and spend most of your winter exercising indoors, it might be a good idea to buy your own pair of snowshoes and enjoy all the benefits of hiking in the snow.

When renting or purchasing, it’s crucial to be aware of the type of terrain you’d like to explore to choose the appropriate type of snowshoe for your adventure.

What to wear for snowshoeing?

The golden rule of going into the mountains, regardless of the activity and season, is to be prepared for all situations. Dressing in layers is a life-saver in changing weather conditions. Base layers that are close to your body, mid layers to serve as insulator and keep you warm, and waterproof outer layers to protect you from the elements, like wind and rain or snow, all of these are equally important. Also be sure to have a hat, neck cover, and pair of gloves.

what to pack for snowshoeing

Other snowshoeing gear you need

Aside from the right snowshoes and proper clothing, there almost no other gear you need for hiking in the snow, other than trekking poles. Poles help you keep the balance and increase your stability and efficiency on uneven terrain. If you use trekking pole make sure that there are snow baskets on them that will keep your pole form sinking down into the snow.

To keep the snow out of the tops of your boots or shoes you will need gaiters for snowshoeing. They provide a good seal around your boots, which sloughs off any snow that might otherwise go down your boots, helping your feet to stay dry when you’re out in the snow.

What to pack?

Water bottle or a hydration pack is a must, starting with start with 2+ liters per person for the day. Optionally you can bring a thermos full of hot tea, coco, or soup, this will definitely make a stop more enjoyable.

Snowshoeing burns a lot of calories, so bring some high protein, natural snacks that can help you restore your energy such as granola bars, dried fruit, nuts, and jerky.

In the winter months the sun sets in the late afternoon, so having a light source like a flashlight or head lamp is easily and safely find your way back if you find yourself on the trail after sundown.

Sunglasses are important in the summer, but they are even more important in the winter, as snow reflects high levels of harmful UV rays that can distort your vision and irritate your retinas. Be sure to choose a pair of sunglasses that provides full coverage.

Reasons to try snowshoeing this winter

The list of reasons why you should go snowshoeing as often as you can is very long, but here are our top 5:

    1. Snowshoeing is easy
      It is just like, well, taking a walk. There is no special technique, once snowshoes are strapped to your feet, all you need to do is start walking naturally, maybe widen your stance a bit. Going up an incline or down the slope might need some getting used to, but on the flat ground it is
    2. Everyone can do it
      This is one of the rear winter activities that individuals of any age and fitness level can participate in. Even those with injuries or health concerns can slowly walk on snow without struggling so much. Snow is known to act like a cushion, which absorbs bumps and shocks.
    3. It is the best winter exercise
      In our book any outdoor activity beats exercising in a smelly sweaty gym by a longshot. And snowshoeing is one of the easiest – you just have to grab your winter boots, get dressed appropriately, grab your snow shoes and get outside. It is a low impact activity, yet still provides a great cardio workout. According to Snowsports Industries of America, snowshoers can burn more than 45 percent more calories than walking or running at the same speed.
    4. Snowshoeing is affordable
      Other than snowshoes and you winter clothing, depending on the conditions, there is not much to invest in when you want to take on this activity. You can find a pair of good snowshoes between a hundred and $300, which makes it one of the least expensive winter sports that you can participate in.
    5. You can pretty much go anywhere
      It definitely takes effort to hike up and down hills, but the snow shoes are small enough and agile enough to pass over all kinds of natural obstacles like rocks, boulders, logs, and underbrush and makes it really convenient to explore deeper into the backcountry.
why to try snowshoeing

Last piece of advice before hitting a snowshoeing trail

If you are a first-time snowshoer, stick to the trail. Go with someone who is more experienced and pace yourself. Taking a class or going on a tour can offer great opportunities to learn concepts like how to go up and down hills, traverse slopes, use your poles, and how to get up after you fall in deep snow.

If you are the person that tends to nestle inside their cozy home at the first signs of winter, we strongly recommend that you give snowshoeing a try. If there is an activity that can change how you feel about an entire season, this is the one. There is nothing like a feeling of walking over fresh snow with everything around you so peaceful and white. The only thing you need to experience it is the right clothing and the right snowshoeing gear, and we hope this guide will help you get it.