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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,282
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,282 |
Much as I like them, and having grown up with them, wood snowshoes fall into the US Army's research truism that "every pound on your feet is the equivalent of five on your back."
I've found that dictum completely true and would never use wood shoes unless forced to. Just too heavy...
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 129
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 129 |
Maine Guide Rabbit Hunters I wish they had MSR style crampons and bindings, though I am sure I could rig something up that would work better for me. The shoe itself I like way better than MSR Lightening. Cool Pic, makes me want to get a pair, I can almost justify it.
No task is half-a$$ed more than the spelling of Creedmoor...
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,608 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,608 Likes: 1 |
Iversons makes shoes webbed with kevlar neoprene.They are far quieter than plastic shoes. My 44 inch long iversons are lighter than my msr shoes with extended tails:
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,282
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,282 |
Iverson's are nice! Also, much thinner framed than the Maine Guide's, which are just too heavy/clunky for my taste.
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 956
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 956 |
Maine Guide Rabbit Hunters I wish they had MSR style crampons and bindings, though I am sure I could rig something up that would work better for me. The shoe itself I like way better than MSR Lightening. Did you order the large or small Rabbit Hunter shoes? I’m going to order a pair but not sure which size. I’m not very heavy but I’ve read comments that too big a snowshoe is still better than too small. I already have 9x30 aluminum snowshoes but I want a pair that’ll be better in deep snow.
Last edited by mod7rem; 12/10/21.
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 24,255 Likes: 7
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 24,255 Likes: 7 |
MSR ascent but I see all mar snowshoes are out of stock. If you're climbing up or ascending down steep terrain the big wood snowshoes can be like skis. They work great in deep soft level snow
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,238 Likes: 11
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,238 Likes: 11 |
Maine Guide Rabbit Hunters I wish they had MSR style crampons and bindings, though I am sure I could rig something up that would work better for me. The shoe itself I like way better than MSR Lightening. Did you order the large or small Rabbit Hunter shoes? I’m going to order a pair but not sure which size. I’m not very heavy but I’ve read comments that too big a snowshoe is still better than too small. I already have 9x30 aluminum snowshoes but I want a pair that’ll be better in deep snow. Large. They are bigger than I often need, but I do a lot of trapping on them and often have a pack full of steel traps so having the extra surface area for that is nice. They can be a PIA to climb in but the forward rise in the shoe helps that, some. I haven't really noticed the weight of them being an issue, and l love how snow that caves in from the top falls through the weave, which doesn't happen as easily with full skinned snowshoes. Even wet snow falls through relatively easy. For spring bear when I am crossing residual drifts and then taking the shoes off for a while, I do tend to prefer a smaller shoe and the Lightening works pretty good in that capacity. Ups and downs to them all, I guess.
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,608 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,608 Likes: 1 |
When shoes get too heavy, coupla runners behind some malamutes sure is nice.
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Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,643
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,643 |
I build Red Feather snowshoes. Have not tried any yet. I know they sell seconds with defects . I used snowshoes a ton when I was in Colorado on a SAR team and ski patrol. Don't recall the brand I used back then but it was rigid frame with like a coated cable for a deck. Things were super duty and lasted. I am not convinced the tubular aluminum would hold up in extreme conditions, off piste, at least not for me!
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,445
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,445 |
Remember, on heavily used approach trails, it is not necessary to wear the snowshoes. Save them for deep snow.
Don't ask me about my military service or heroic acts...most of it is untrue.
Pronoun: Yes, SIR !
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,213
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,213 |
I don't recommend a pair of these: Hey - I can put a Model 37 in the picture too - just no dead stuff handy. Found these when cleaning out my father's garage. I believe they were made pre WWII by an Akwesasne/Mohawk Indian who lived near my father's hometown when he was growing up in northern NY.
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,213
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,213 |
I guide rabbit hunters all winter in the Adirondacks. Both I and the outfitter I guide for wear Atlas shoes, I like the 46 inch shoe. One of our regular hunters wears the Maine Rabbit hunter shoe. Great shoe, well made but no crampons on the bottom. That’s a pretty big deal if you’re going to be breaking trail on any grade at all, and becomes a bigger deal as the grade steepens. The binding upgrade on the Main Rabbit Hunters is well worthwhile. Fast on/off and secure.
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,213
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,213 |
Iversons makes shoes webbed with kevlar neoprene.They are far quieter than plastic shoes. My 44 inch long iversons are lighter than my msr shoes with extended tails: Very nice shoes. I have a few pair if Iversons. Very well made and come from SNOW country. I also have one of their long handled trout nets. Beautiful woodwork.
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 956
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 956 |
I guide rabbit hunters all winter in the Adirondacks. Both I and the outfitter I guide for wear Atlas shoes, I like the 46 inch shoe. One of our regular hunters wears the Maine Rabbit hunter shoe. Great shoe, well made but no crampons on the bottom. That’s a pretty big deal if you’re going to be breaking trail on any grade at all, and becomes a bigger deal as the grade steepens. The binding upgrade on the Main Rabbit Hunters is well worthwhile. Fast on/off and secure. For what you are using your 46” snowshoes for and seeing someone use the Maine Rabbit Hunters, would you recommend the large 11x40 or smaller 10x36 in the Maine Rabbit Hunter? I’m tempted to order the large to maximize float but concerned the large size would be too much of a good thing. I’m 5’8” 150lbs plus a day pack when I’m looking for hares and cats. I have an older pair of Tubbs Altitude 30 and I find them terrible in deep snow. For a second pair I’d like to have better floatation in deep snow but not enough experience with different snowshoes to know if it’s possible to go too big. Thanks.
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,445
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,445 |
Go with the smallest version rated for your weight and load.
Don't ask me about my military service or heroic acts...most of it is untrue.
Pronoun: Yes, SIR !
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,611
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,611 |
Go with the smallest version rated for your weight and load.
I'd say just the opposite. Get the biggest rated for your weight and load--- and I'd go a size larger than that. My decision is based on my extensive experience floundering in deep snow. Also, it appears to me that "weight ratings" are based on groomed trails, where the snow holds up much more weight per square inch of snowshoe floatation than ungroomed snow, especially powder. The experience of others may be different. We should pay attention to the following quotation from mod7rem's post above: "I’m 5’8” 150lbs plus a day pack when I’m looking for hares and cats. I have an older pair of Tubbs Altitude 30 and I find them terrible in deep snow. For a second pair I’d like to have better floatation in deep snow... " Didja notice mainer_in_Alaska's 44" snowshoes and Maine guide fshaw's 46" snowshoes.... These men appear to actually use snowshoes a fair amount. I think EdT has considerable experience snowshoeing and I'd be interested in his comments. FWIW I did my greatest amount of snowshoeing when I was fairly fit and 190 lbs., always with a daypack and rifle.
Last edited by Okanagan; 12/12/21. Reason: ineptitude
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,621
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,621 |
This 100% ^^^
You’ll wind up with several pair - all for different conditions because snow varies so much in its capacity to support travel.
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,736
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,736 |
I don't recommend a pair of these: Hey - I can put a Model 37 in the picture too - just no dead stuff handy. Found these when cleaning out my father's garage. I believe they were made pre WWII by an Akwesasne/Mohawk Indian who lived near my father's hometown when he was growing up in northern NY. Wow! What a great find! Take care of those and pass 'em down in the family. I'd be on the lookup for some old photos too.
My home is the "sanctuary residence" for my firearms.
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,653
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,653 |
Open country I am on my Snocraft Alaskan's 10"x56"...wood frame, rawhide web and leather bindings. Timber and brush I am on my Iverson modified bear paw 10"x36"....wood frame rawhide web and synthetic bindings.
Last edited by roundoak; 12/12/21.
You're Welcome At My Fire Anytime
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,445
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,445 |
If the trails are "groomed" or have heavy travel, you don't need snowshoes until you step off the track.
Was thinking since you're a little guy, that would be appropriate, but then again I'm larger and have to deal with the snow conditions in the Cascades and North Cascades.
Don't ask me about my military service or heroic acts...most of it is untrue.
Pronoun: Yes, SIR !
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