How to Buy Women's Snowshoes

Cross snow-covered countrysides with snowshoes.

Snowshoes are designed to wear when traversing snow-covered terrain. By distributing your weight across a wide base, snowshoes allow you to walk, hike and even run over deep snow without sinking.

Size

Snowshoe sizes depend on the user's weight.

Finding the correct fit is essential to snowshoe comfort and effectiveness. Snowshoe sizes are proportional to the user's weight, and the shoes usually range in length from 20 to 36 inches. A lighter weight requires a narrower shoe.

Binding

Search for proper bindings when choosing snowshoes.

Snowshoe bindings can be fixed or rotating, depending on the primary use of the shoe. Fixed bindings provide less flexibility but increased control in stepping around obstacles, while rotating bindings allow plenty of pivot for less fatigue during extensive hikes.

Application

Different snowshoes exist for various activities.

Recreational snowshoes have the widest range of use, and can even be worn in your backyard. Simplified bindings make recreational or trek shoes most useful in moderate snowfall. Backcountry snowshoes are lighter but also more durable for use in deep snow and on steep inclines. Race snowshoes are the lightest kind of snowshoe and can be found on the shorter end of the length spectrum.

References

• Outdoor: How to Buy Snowshoes
• Sierra Trading Post: Snowshoe Buying Guide

Resources

• Sierra Trading Post: Snowshoe Sizing Chart