How to Adjust Snow Shoes

Snowshoes are used for snow walking, running, exploring and mountaineering.

Snowshoes are strap-on shoes that let you to explore snowy trails in the winter time. Most snowshoes are relatively lightweight and are not difficult to use, with aerodynamic shapes and bindings that can be easily adjusted to fit your feet. Snowshoes are worn with socks and boots beneath them. Having the binding slide off your heel or slip off your toe as you stride through the snow is not uncommon. There are ways, though, to adjust your snowshoes so they don't loosen or come off while you trek through deep snow.

Things You'll Need

• Winter hiking boots
• Snowshoes

Instructions

1. Step one foot into a snowshoe and center your foot in the binding with your toe as close against the front of the binding as possible. Make sure the binding buckles are on the outer side your foot.

2. Wrap your heel strap around the back of your boot. Snap the end into the buckle onto the side of your foot. Pull the strap to tighten as needed.

3. Bind the strap across the top of your foot. Pull to tighten.

4. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 for your other foot.

5. Walk forward a few paces in your snowshoes. If either shoe feels loose, tighten the straps as needed.

6. Test your snowshoes by doing a half and then full turn, and stopping and starting suddenly while walking. Remember to turn by making a circle rather than pivoting in place. If you're going to be walking uphill, you may want to try kicking your shoe upwards in the motion you would use when going uphill to make sure your snowshoes fit well.

Tips & Warnings

• The depth of the snow you're trekking through should not affect how you adjust your snowshoes, which allow you to tread on top of the snow. Snowshoes distribute one's weight, and the latticework prevents the collection of snow on the shoe.

• Snowshoe straps are meant to be easily opened and closed even under extreme weather conditions. Do not add binding to your shoes that would make it difficult for you to take them off in a dangerous situation.

• Snowshoes are not meant for trekking across ice. Do not attempt to snowshoe across an expanse of unknown ice, as you could break through the ice.

References

• Crescent Moon Snowshoes: Tips
• Healthy SD.gov: Introduction to Snowshoeing
• Snowshoes Magazine: First Timer's Guide