How to Use US Military Snowshoe Bindings

Snowshoes disperse your weight over a larger area.

Military snowshoes are vital in snow-covered terrain because of the large amount of marching and transporting gear to remote bivouac sites. The snowshoe works by displacing the soldier's weight over a broader area on the snow, reducing a sinking action and making snow travel less strenuous. Snowshoes generally are lightweight, with the largest designs only weighing just more than 6 pounds. The three bindings of a snowshoe are essential in maintaining adequate contact with the boot. Learning how to properly attach the snowshoe with the binding is essential in snowshoe usage.

Instructions

1. Place your foot onto the center of the snowshoe, just over the instep binding.

2. Drape the instep strap--the middle strap--over the arch of the foot, slide the strap in through the buckle until tight, then fasten the buckle. Slide the remaining length of strap back through the keeper adjacent to the buckle.

3. Drape the toe-strap over the front of the boot, then slide the strap in through the buckle until tight. Fasten the buckle then slide the remaining length of strap in through the keeper.

4. Wrap the heel-strap around the back of the heel and slide the strap through the buckle, then fasten the buckle. Run the remaining length of strap back through the keeper on the back of the heel.

Tips & Warnings

• Ensure that the straps are tight, but do not over-tighten as this can cause discomfort.

• The bottom of the foot should remain in contact with the snowshoe at all times.

References

• Wilderness Manuals: Military Snowshoeing
• Backcountry Survival: Military Snowshoeing

Resources

• VT Army Navy: Military Snowshoe Bindings