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Winter Is Coming … Are Your Snowshoes Ready?
Wait too long beyond this point and you may be digging through an early snowstorm to locate your snow shovel. And early winter preparations don’t just mean thinking about shovels, road salt, and snow tires. And you shouldn’t just be inspecting boots now but your snowshoes.
What Do I Have To Do To Prepare For Snowshoe Season?
You’ll need a complete snowshoe outfit if you’re new to snowshoeing this season. Being prepped for snowshoeing is easy, but requires more than just strapping modified tennis rackets to your feet and hitting the trail. For more seasoned snowshoers, you should look at each component of your current outfit for signs of damage and wear.
Veteran snowshoers, check your poles for wear and stress before the season starts and make sure they close and open properly.
SNOWSHOE POLE BASKETS
The term “basket” is a little misleading here. Snowshoe pole baskets aren’t designed to hold anything but instead keep the pole from sinking into deep snow. Commonly known as “snowflake baskets”, these snowflake shaped plastic devices are affixed to the bottom of the poles and can be removed.
Veteran snowshoers should check baskets for wear and damage and replace as needed.
SNOWSHOE POLES
What’s that you say, new snowshoe walkers? They should at least ride along on snowshoe treks in case a walker or companion needs a “Plan B”. Make sure you have the right poles for snowshoeing.
SNOWSHOES
Time shoppers should start by considering the shoe binding. You can’t snowshoe without bindings, it’s what holds the whole shoe together!
Novice snowshoers also want to pay attention to the shape of their shoes. Those shoes with “tennis racquet” tails may look fetchingly traditional, but they also put more strain on joints and can cross and trip inexperienced walkers. Novice ones often do better with “tear drop” shaped tails that allows them to walk with a more natural stride
The “claw” or shoe’s traction (technically referred to as the crampon) can be affixed under the ball of the foot for flat terrain and soft snow walking, or under the toes themselves for walking on icy or steep terrain, or for running. One style won’t do it all, so buyers should consider what they’ll be using these shoes for before purchase.
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Experienced walkers should check bindings annually for wear and tear and replace accordingly. Claws should also be examined for wear and other damage.
Gaiters used for snowshoeing should be made of a resistant or waterproof material like nylon. They should fit snugly but not too tightly over the area that they are protecting.
Veteran snowshoers should examine gaiters for wear and replace and tear as needed. And both veteran and new snowshoers should never forget to bring along a first aid kit on these treks as well as review their general day-hike checklists before setting out.
GAITERS
Gaiters prevent snow from getting into the top of the boot. It’s also now possible to buy a gaiter “bootie” which covers only the boot or other footwear and is generally used for running.
If you’re new to snowshoeing this season, you’ll need a complete snowshoe outfit. You can’t snowshoe without bindings, it’s what holds the whole shoe together! They should at least ride along on snowshoe treks in case a walker or companion needs a “Plan B”. Make sure you have the right poles for snowshoeing. Snowshoe pole baskets aren’t designed to hold anything but instead keep the pole from sinking into deep snow.
