School me Snowshoeing

[GoatBoat218]

I have northern light tundra snowshoes bigger than average but they work great when the snow is actually deep enough to need em.

Northern Lites Tundra Ultralight Snowshoes | Backcountry Floater

Conquer the deepest snow with Northern Lites Tundra 33 Ultralight Snowshoes — USA made, two traction options, lightweight but durable build. Shop Now.

northernlites.com

 

[Graves14]

Sizing for men usually starts at 25" shoes. For your weight I would suggest going to 30" to maintain better float in the softer stuff.

Haven't handled or used the ones from Costco but Atlas, Tubbs or MSR are solid choices.

100% go with 30” if you’ll ever be in powder. I’m roughly the same size and sank in 25” shoes. My wife uses them now and I got a set of 30” ones that work much better for me.

 

[topher89]

Great advice so far. I am the same basic size of you and the tough choice is going to be length.

25" for more packed trails, day trips and more vertical climbing
30" for deeper powder, heavier packs or a backpacking trip

 

[Dust Rider]

You can always find them cheap come spring on craigslist. I have a decent pair of Tubbs, but will avoid using them at almost any cost. They do Kinda suck doing the bo legged schlepp. If the snow is post hole deep I’ll throw on my xc skis. Plus with skis you can throw your rifle on your sling, ski and shoot while pretending to be the next awesome Olympic biatalon from the USA.

 

[ShakeDown]

Appreciate all the advise!

If anyone comes across any deals while perusing the inte—webs let me know.

 

[sneaky]

I've got some MSR Lightning Ascents. I like the fact that they aren't so wide as to force you into a significant gait change while wearing them

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[Windigo]

Sorta surprised no one's brought up the military surplus snowshoes yet. They're a traditional Huron shaped snowshoe, but with magnesium frame and steel webbing. Plus, the bindings are about the best of anything I've tried. Used em for years in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in 6+ feet of snow.

 

[orionsbrother]

I’m a fan of the Iverson wood snowshoes as well. I’m not on trails. No hard pack. The aluminum snowshoes drive me batty with their noise.

We’ll use the military surplus, cheap, magnesium ones ice fishing if there’s deep snow. If you get into some nasty slush that freezes to them, you can just beat on them or bang them together to shed the ice.

 

[Mk7mmSTW]

Get the biggest pair possible and you’ll never regret it... plastics work great for crust snow, but a true do all snowshoe is 40 plus long. You will be blown away how much easier it is to walk when you go big.. try your 24-30 inch poly in timbered shadow snow where the hardness varies with each step, you will wear yourself out!

10X46 Cross Country - Neoprene - Iverson Showshoe & Furniture

This style tracks well in deep drifted snow. The longer tail make it moderately effective in wooded areas. Holds up to 230 pounds.

iversonssnowshoes.com

 

[Vaquero 45]

Yes I know its an old thread ..... I use a set of Tubbs 36" Mountaneer"s and a 9X30" set of NorthernLites " Back Country " ....... Both depending on conditions etc have worked more than well for me . I also shopped around and got them @ fantastic prices (new) .

I know MSR might be the most popular of the SS bunch but never understood @ least for me why not buy a longer shoe instead of the " tail " add on . If any body here has ever had issues with there trail add on I wouldnt mind hearing about . Heck with what the "tail " cost with about $130 more one could have an extra pair of shoes . Thats the route I took years ago , maybe I'am wrong ?

 

[mtwarden]

I own three pairs- all MSR’s- 30” Lightnings (with tails)- my go to for powder; 22” Evos (with tails too) used most often and a pair of Shifts- a youth shoe (short & light) for firm Spring snow/adventure racing.

To be honest, I’ve carried the tails more than I’ve worn them. But there have been times when donned that made the difference between staying afloat and postholing.

I did one time discover I lost a tail on my Lightenings, but it wasn’t too far back. Have never had an issue with the Evo tails; the Lightnings use a completely different attachment system vs the Evos.