Things to Consider Before Buying Snowshoes

Are you thinking of taking up the sport of snowshoeing? Do you want to buy snowshoes but don't know where to start? Here are some things to consider before buying a pair of snowshoes.

Buy Gender Specific Snowshoes

Snowshoes are gender specific. Quite simply, snowshoes are designed differently for men and women. Women's feet tend to be closer together than a man's. Women's snowshoes have a narrower and lighter frame designed with the woman's stride in mind. Their bindings are also slimmer because their boots are smaller than men's.

Men's snowshoes have a larger surface than women's because they have to disperse more weight across the snow. They also have to accommodate a wider and larger boot compared to women's.

Kids snowshoes have a smaller surface area because they weigh less. They are lightweight in design and durable. Kids snowshoe bindings are designed to get kids in and out of the the snowshoes quickly and easily.

Size of Snowshoe

One of the most important considerations in buying snowshoes is choosing the right size. Size is dependent upon the person's weight. Generally speaking the heavier the person, the larger and longer the snowshoe needs to be. Size is usually measured in inches with the most common sizes being 25", 30" and 36". Don't forget to take into consideration the backpack weight you may be carrying if you are planning on hiking/backpacking often.

Type of Activity

Lastly consider the type of activity you may be doing before you buy your new snowshoes. There are three types of snowshoes to choose from: Recreational Hiking, Aerobic/Fitness and Hiking/Backpacking. Snowshoes for recreational hiking are great for newbies. They are a basic snowshoe that are ideal for flat terrains. Aerobic or fitness snowshoes are sleek in design and are perfect for the active, cross training individual. Hiking/Backpacking snowshoes are durable for the experienced and those who tackle steep climbing and descents. Also, deep snow or powder snow requires a larger surface snowshoe and smaller snowshoes handle icy conditions best because they are more maneuverable

The Sport

Snowshoeing is one of the fastest growing sport and for good reason. The sport is easy to learn with little risk of injury. It requires minimal equipment or gear and is inexpensive when compared to most winter sports. You may want to rent snowshoes before buying them. This would allow you to try out different manufacturers. Also talk to friends who snowshoe and ask them what they like.

View the following link on buying snowshoes. It is a great way to get outdoors during the winter months.