Any help buying a pair of snowshoes would be nice. I don’t weigh a lot 150-155 and wouldn’t be carrying over 25lb if I was carrying anything at all.
S.

Is this for enough use to justify good ones or will $60 Costco shoes work?

The money doesn’t matter really.

A friend has the MSR snowshoes that use angle instead of round tube. They climb hard pack super well and are great for trails with lots of dips and steep hills. Way better than my round tube shoes.

Atlas.

Terrain? open country or brush? deep snow? icy conditions? hunting or hiking or backup/emergency?
Traditional or modern construction?

These are the two that I finalized on: MSR Lightning Ascent and Maine Rabbit Hunter

Bought the MSRs, no regrets, but still really want to try the Maine Rabbit Hunter shoes. Might still buy a pair.

Mike - The rabbit hunter shoes have sweet flotation especially when the snow is icy on top and powdery below (most VT snow is icy compared to the West) they are kinda big tho. Been looking for some MSR’s cuz I think a person could climb better in them - I’ll have to look at the Lightning Ascent you mentioned.

Smallfry - I’m following this - curious as well what others think. Having a few options to cover varied conditions makes sense to me

We've got a pile of snowshoes at our house. Really, a guy needs a couple for different conditions, or buy something like the MSR Lightening Ascent that allows an additional tail to be attached. I really like a 30" shoe for the deep stuff, and a 25" shoe for lesser snow. MSR shoes are my favorite, and USA made. I'm a bit under 150 lbs, so same-same.

Search GV brand snowshoes made in Canada. But once ,cry once.

Those look excellent... and really not that expensive.

I’ve been using older Tubbs (which is now K2 I think) mostly because they are common here in VT and have a friend that uses the newer Maine Guide Rabbit Hunters that were mentioned earlier, with the elevated front & rear sections. They seem to work really well from a mobility standpoint. Mine are more standard 30x9 long ovals with Control Wing bindings or something like that. Anyhow they are older but work great.

I run an athletic 185 so honestly I could go bigger and/or explore the MSR options but I like the profile of mine because it works with my normal-ish hiking/walking pace.

small fry,
If you are totally new to this, buy something rather inexpensive based on your weight plus load. This will give you a baseline for performance and help you fine tune if need be. Make sure that the bindings are "universal" so that your hunting boot is compatible. Some of the higher priced shoes need a special binding to attach. I have snowshoes from ash/moose hide to aluminums - it is a great winter activity. My most enjoyable elk hunts are on snowshoes at below zero temps at above 8,000 feet in New Mexico! The boys from Texas just glass from their trucks and say - you can't do that!

I have been using the living hell out of the Maine Guides Rabbit Hunters, in mainly powdery snow. You'll sink some, but not as much as with other shoes. They can be a bit tough to climb steep areas in though, if that is important to you. The binding system is also not perfect, but nobody else's are either. I usually "step out" of their bindings at least a couple times every outing it seems.

I like traditional woven shoes as it allows powder to fall through as you step up, if the powder is deep enough to cave in over the top as you step down. It can be from modern material, but the old school woven design beats non woven in my mind.

MSR makes good shoes too and I have had several, but the Rabbit Hunters are better for me and what I do.

Thanks guys these are all good leads! I have already been considering the MSR’s. I’ll let you know.
S.

Brad and others are correct that no one snowshoe will serve well in all conditions. I like the MSR's with detachable extensions to increase surface area of the snowshoe.

The critical factors in using a snowshoe are:

-weight of the user and gear,

-surface area of the snowshoe,

-weight bearing condition of the snow. (Deep powder is vastly different from coastal snow.)

Those three factors are always present, and sometimes traction on ice crusted snow adds another factor.

Most snowshoes sold in the US are cutesy toys designed to look cool and be agile in snowy parking lots and on groomed trails. Nothing wrong with that, but know that if you want to hunt, trap, work or travel off trail or on ungroomed trails, it is a different world. The fine print on weight charts I've read always say they are based on groomed trails and that for off trail use get a larger size snowshoe.

IF you plan to hike off trail, get bigger snowshoes than you think you need. Post holing in snow is bad and post holing when wearing snowshoes is BAAAAD. Too big a shoe is a small problem, maybe a bit clumsy or costing a bit of extra energy. Too small a shoe, even by a tiny amount, is exhausting.

I have three sets of snowshoes and if not in my declining years would buy one more, bigger than what I have. I'm 230 lbs. and nowadays mostly use snowshoes on short off road forays to call predators. I have a 30 inch set of wooden bear paws with many miles on them, a 36 inch set of cheap Yukon Charlies and a set of GV Wide in the largest they make them 12x42. I wish the GV were 48”. I almost bought some 60” semi-tradionals instead but since I moved to the US from Canada with not as much deep powder snow, the GV’s have worked fine and I like them.

I really like the short, wide wilderness skis with traction skins for hunting in up and down country, especially contouring a mountainside across ravines. Some days moving from shade to sun changes whether the snowshoe will hold you up near the surface or punch deep. Ridge to swale often does the same. On those days, IMO it is better to have bigger snowshoes than needed in the more dense snow than to flounder in the soft stuff.

Buy a cheap set of 30” and after using them some, make an informed decision about buying another pair that are bigger or smaller. Check out some Canadian snowshoe forums.

I can't help on what to buy today but have pondered the same question thinking I'd like to try the newer technology. My snow showing experience goes back at least 45 years with a pair of Vermont Tubbs but they haven't been used for probably 40 years (did a lot of winter hiking and camping as a youth in Boy Scouts ). This thread prompted me to dig these out last night:

After trying ever else, that's what I bought. They have a lifetime warranty. Mine have been solid kit.

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.

Love that Model 37!!! Best pump shotgun ever made...sorry Model 12 fanboys.

ITHACA...mmm mmm mmm!

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...

Cool Pic, makes me want to get a pair, I can almost justify it.

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:

Iverson's are nice! Also, much thinner framed than the Maine Guide's, which are just too heavy/clunky for my taste.

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.

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

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.

When shoes get too heavy, coupla runners behind some malamutes sure is nice.

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!

Remember, on heavily used approach trails, it is not necessary to wear the snowshoes. Save them for deep snow.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This 100% ^^^

You’ll wind up with several pair - all for different conditions because snow varies so much in its capacity to support travel.

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.

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.

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.

Speaking of groomed trails, didja know that a Suzuki Samurai is light weight enough, with enough floatation to drive on top of multi traveled snowmobile trails in deep snow? Just don’t EVER have a wheel break through the surface… or try to turn around...

Crescent Moon. Last I knew entirely sourced in the USA. They’re a small company in Colorado, and the owner has turned down multiple buyout offers. A quality product.

MSR Ascent.

Red Feather.

Atlas and Tubbs are now owned by the same company and mostly made in China or Asia.

Half the battle with snowshoes are the binding system, which have improved a lot in recent years. Newer style bindings track better, and are easier to get in and out of.

As noted, there’s snowshoes for trail hiking and snowshoes for off trail/ deep snow. Powder snow in the southern Rockies will test the flotation of any snowshoe a guy can fit on his feet….

If you'd typically use them in deeper, fluffy/light snow I'd definitely go with the bigger size. I personally feel that modern ratings are useless when using snowshoes in real snow off trail. The ratings are great for walking packed trails but leave you up to your knees (or worse) in the deep stuff. The Maine Rabbit Hunter also looses a bit of floatation because it is a webbing (rope) type shoe and not a full "decked" shoe. When in deep snow I've never wished for a smaller snowshoe.

+1

smallfry:

The previous responders have obviously had different experience than myself. I've owned two sets of snow shoes and I threw away the first set and gave away the second set to someone that I didn't like. I am convinced that snow shoes were created by the devil on the same day that he created the fly and the mosquito. What I hate about them is that they collect snow on the top and quickly become so heavy that it's very tiring and difficult to walk. I always seemed to get heavy wet snow or crusted freeze/thaw snow that would build up on the top of the skis. I suppose that light fluffy powder would be different but I never seemed to be that lucky.

However, I've put a lot of miles behind me wearing mountaineering skis and since cost isn't important to you, that is what I would get if I were you. I used my mountaineering skis in Colorado, Alaska, the Sierras of California and the Cascades in Washington doing lots of climbing, backcountry skiing, and hunting.

My mountaineering setup consists of TUA Randanée skis, Silvretta 400 bindings, and Scarpa Antracite plastic boots with insulated inner boot and Chouinard climbing skins. The boots are made to have something like crampons or skis attached to them. They are a lot like downhill ski boots but have more ankle movement. The binding are two-piece with a lever connection at the front. With the heels free, you can use them like cross country skis and can climb incredibly steep terrain using a good pair of climbing skins. The bindings have releases in them just like alpine (downhill) ski bindings so you can lock the heels, take off the skins and ski down hill. I've even used them downhill skiing in Colorado and got some weird looks because that's not what they are made for. They are kind of long and you have to get use to them. I used this setup for three decades, but that was a long time ago and newer more modern gear is probably available.

I tell the rabbit hunters that I guide “ The only thing worse than wearing snowshoes is not wearing them.” For what I do skis are not an option.

I exchanged my snowshoes for skis at age 9. There are a few places for snowshoes but not very many from my perspective.

What town and county did you father live in and do you recall the Indian's name?

I don't suppose it was Spike?

Pretty happy with these bunny chasers - looking into some MSR’s to climb better.

Put a small block to raise your heels when ascending.

Good god get rid of that hideous pic as your sig. Makes me wanta barf.

Grabbed some MSR’s and they are pretty great! Finally have enough snow to have some fun. A little wider than I’m used to but they sure work in dry snow better than the wooden models that these might retire. Did about 2 miles around our little bay & got lucky with some beautiful blue sky

Tag

I've got three pairs of snowshoes- all are MSR's. They simply have much better grip than other snowshoes, if your plan is to snowshoe in the mountains or steeper terrain- you want really good grip. Gently rolling terrain it's not nearly as an important consideration. The MSR's also have good, secure bindings.

I have a pair of Lightning Ascents that are 30", also have the optional tails. This is the shoe I choose for deeper powder.

A pair of Evo Ascents, 22" with the optional tails. I tend to use these more as our snow gets consolidated pretty quickly. A good all around shoe and pretty lightweight.

My last pair are their Shift's- these are billed as a youth shoe, but fit my size 11 feet with a little room to spare. These are very light, but short. I use these almost exclusively in the Spring when the snow tends to be firm and your snowshoes spend almost equal time on your feet and strapped to your pack.

Other than weight, a big consideration is how wide they are. They wider snowshoes make your gait unnaturally wide, which leads to weak fatigue.

MSR are great and offer a wide selection. The lightest weight is best as others have mentioned.

One of the best sites for comparing gear is https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/t/snowshoes

no affiliation, but it is a very useful resource.

peace