Best Snowshoe

xeon · Post by **xeon** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 2:29 pm

Im planning on purchasing a pair of snowshoes. I would like to buy the modern types, even though they are incredibly ugly. I would be using them almost everyday in the winter, and I would be in Northern Ontario forest. If anyone has a favoright brand or model of snowshoe, I would like to hear it what you have to say.

Also if anyone would prefer the wooden type over the new plastic 'things', please explain why you would. Im really open to everything, but I figure the new ones would be lighter and smaller.

Thanks in advance...

Bill T · Post by **Bill T** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 3:24 pm

I'm not an expert on the new modern plastic fancy grade snowshoes, but I know a bit about physics and I use snowshoes every year to hunt coyotes. The fact is that snowshoes MUST be big to support you, the little fancy jobs can't possibly support your weight like big ones do.

A.W · Post by **A.W** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 3:25 pm

I've been thinking of getting a pair. I'm looking at the aluminium kind rather than the wooden ones. They're not cheap.

Costco has what appears to be a good pair. Their price includes the poles abd bag,

http://www.costco.ca/en-CA/Browse/Produ ... v=&browse=

http://www.fabersnowshoes.com/

Cedrus · Post by **Cedrus** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 5:04 pm

I have a pair of these (9"x30"): http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... &noImage=0

Awsome shoe, but they're noisey compared to the old classic wooden ones.

R.J. · Post by **R.J.** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 6:23 pm

Been my experience that the Traditional or Huron style is best for hauling all day in Ontario fileds / fence lines / and bush lots ...

A 14 x 48 , or 16 x 48 set is good for 175lb and up and I believe that is the highest rating ....

I'm 205 lb and they keep me afloat !

Also a 16 x 30 Bear Paw set is good from 175lb and up.... but I find Bear Paws that wide are not as easy to walk in for long distance ...

If you are strictly open field then .... an Ojibwy or Alaskan model would be the best ...

R.J. · Post by **R.J.** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 6:26 pm

PS : Found a good link .... they ship Canada or USA ..... they have models up to 350lb weight rated ...

http://www.totalsnowshoes.com/wood-snowshoes.html

xeon · Post by **xeon** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 6:40 pm

If it matters, Im skinny, wheighing only about 150lbs. So the max weight wouldnt really apply... unless I was buying kids snowshoes:lol:

I've really been looking at that Fabar site A.W. suggested, and have been eyeing the Mountain Venture http://www.fabersnowshoes.com/pls/prod_ ... cce=PUBLIC

I would really like a pair of the traditional shoes, but I dont think I would maintain them properly, im a bit lazy at times. Ill do some more reading on all of this though.

Cabela ones actually look nice too but im not big on the Cabelas brand items. I wish they would list the products original manufacturer. But they do have lifetime warrenty...

Thanks so far, if anyone still has something to add, id be happy to hear it

TPM · Post by **TPM** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 7:54 pm

I've done most of my snowshoeing with traditional shoes, either Huron or Ojibway style, and found them great especially in open field. Back in the 80's I used modern style on a number of occasions. They were Canadian military issue and were quite crude compared to the ones you can buy now. I liked them especially in the bush. They kicked butt on hills and rougher terrain. On the down side they were noisy and tended to ice up a bit depending on conditions.

Country · Post by **Country** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 8:14 am

I've got both types. The classic Huron wood ones and the new aluminum plastic ones (Red something or other stealth hunters). I like my Hurons the best as they are very supportive and the most silent. The Hurons are coming undone though and I replaced them with the new type. Sorry I did that though. The new plastic ones turn into skis in the mountain terrain I hunt in inspite of the big claw thing underneath. It's very disconcerting trying to go up or down hill when your sliding and starting to pick up speed. I purchased the new ones because they looked lighter and narrow. I thought the smaller size would be easier to walk in but now that I have them I realize the Hurons never gave me any trouble to begin with. I shouldn't have made the change. Go with the Hurons. They are excellent on both flat and hilly ground.

ecoaster · Post by **ecoaster** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:44 am

XEON,

Hiking around northern ontario all winter would have to make you skinny.

xeon · Post by **xeon** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 5:47 pm

ecoaster wrote:XEON,

Hiking around northern ontario all winter would have to make you skinny.

I know, but now im gonna be nothing after this coming winter