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 Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Winter Camping and Activities Show Shoes Reply
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| Previous Messages: | |
| Author | Message Text |
| MrBreeze |
12/13/2015 12:06AM I have both the old school hand made and a nice pair of aluminum frame 10 x 30 I got at ski swap. I use the new pair most often any more cause I found them to be a bit more durable. The bindings are better also. I do agree that they can be more noisy in certain conditions. Make sure you have some crampons for the icy uphill portions and don't forget the poles. I use telescoping poles cause they pack easier. Also good idea to take a repair kit if going out for long distance. Had a trip where girlfriend stepped on a downed tree buried just under snow surface and tore out leather strapping. Was a gentleman and gave her my shoe and I labored through 3 foot deep snow for 2 miles back to car. Cant wait to get out, getting great snow in sierras this year so far, 1-2 feet Thursday alone. Go El nino! ps make sure you know your route and some else does also. My buddy and I went up on the sierra crest south of lake Tahoe, Sierra at Tahoe resort, a few years back. My buddy went on south route along American river and I went north route along crest for great views of Lake Tahoe. He did not show up at lodge later that afternoon. Crew found him over cliff on river when a snow ledge he was on gave out. He is all good but without knowing where he was going, could have been worse. |
| Jaywalker |
12/04/2015 03:28PM I'm sure this is less important to many more practical people, but you rarely if ever see synthetics lend themselves as dramatic elements in photography.  |
| 2old4U |
12/04/2015 12:26PM Part of the enjoyment I get out of snowshoeing is the tranquility and peacefulness of it...and I've NEVER found that with aluminum snowshoes yet...they clang and clack everything they contact! For that reason alone I use the old-style wood and rawhide bearpaws. |
| Knoozer |
11/29/2015 07:40PM I have made many pairs over the last 10 years or so using Gil Gilpatrick's manual. Mostly Michigan and Ojibway styles. But I have done a couple pairs of Bearpaws. Today I just steamed up a pair of miniature Ojibways for my 2-1/2 year old grandson for Christmas. My take on preferring traditional shoes; 1) They are quieter in the woods, 2) If you make them, it is easy to repair them. 3) As said before, they stay more on top of the snow. When I go through new snow with a group, I am always in the front, making the trail. 4) You can walk on snow, not march through it. 5) By dragging a tail behind you, your toe stays up. Also, your tail doesn't kick snow up on the backs of your legs like the lumishooz. Lastly, even though they work great, they also look a lot prettier hanging on your wall. Lacing snow shoes is the same type of therapy for me as knitting is for others.  Here is a pic of a pair of adult Ojibways I just finished lacing. Just the varnishing left.
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| MNLindsey80 |
11/22/2015 09:53PM Thanks! Lots to consider - that's for sure. |
| ArrowheadPaddler |
11/20/2015 10:22AM i have a pair of 1943 surplus Alaskan style snowshoes. They are still going strong. As others have mentioned, I really like the ability to almost "ski" with the traditional snowshoes. You don't have to lift the snowshoes nearly as high. I have tried modern aluminum snowshoes several times and I don't like them. Why? 1) The claw prevents gliding and is only occasionally useful (very steep icy trails). If the trail is that packed that you aren't sinking, I will usually just take the snowshoes off. 2) Large amounts of compressed snow and ice form under the foot on top of the inflexible claw. Very uncomfortable if walking on firm surfaces, defeating the usefulness of the claw. 3)The bindings have too many parts and are prone to failure. I have seen them break more than once, though it hasn't happened to me personally. They then become completely useless, unlike most traditional bindings. 4) On the ones I have used, the bindings continuously come loose. 5) They don't float as well in deep snow as traditional snowshoes. Last winter, I broke trail on a long ice fishing day trip in the BWCA and took a pair of aluminum snowshoes on a whim from my brother. I abandoned them quickly and just plowed through the snow with my boots. It was easier than messing with them. In any case, I have found snowshoes are unnecessary in many cases. I find them most useful for day hikes. When pulling a toboggan, I often just wear boots, and only put on the snowshoes if the snow is deep (over 2 feet). Minnesota is cold in the winter, but pretty dry, and there are often long periods of time between snowfalls, so trails can get really packed and firm. Unlike the mountains or places like Labrador, in Minnesota during many years, often the snow really isn't that deep, especially if you are following an established trail. If you start post-holing and destroying the float, that is another story though, time to put on the snowshoes. |
| Pinetree |
11/18/2015 09:16PM old thread Don't get anything smaller than say Atlas 10 x30 snowshoe. The modern bindings are far superior to most bindings if not all found on wood snowshoes. Wood snowshoes because they are usually bigger get much better floatation than most metal snowshoes. That said I do have a pair of 1030 atlas and do love them,but miss the old fashion shoes. I don't think one snowshoe fits all conditions. |
| ZaraSp00k |
11/18/2015 08:55PMquote OldFingers57: "I would think you would get a lot better grip and traction with the modern snowshoes as they all have a metal cleat or cleats to grip and dig in with whereas the old style ones you are depending on the laces to grip the snow or ice. I think you have more of a chance of sliding and skiing in the old style ones. " ...and some of us have learned to like and use the sliding to our advantage BTW, poles: don't leave home without them |
| wingnut |
11/18/2015 07:40AM Lot of good discussion about snowshoes on the Winter trekking site also. I'm looking into making a pair of 14 x 48 traditional shoes for Ice fishing. |
| JoshP |
11/17/2015 03:18PM I prefer Northern Lites Snowshoes. Lightest snowshoes out there, atleast I found. Very durable too. I have a pair of the backcountry in 30" and looking at getting the Tundra's 32". Also own a pair of MSR Lightning Ascent in 25" with the 5" extension tails. Use to own a pair of MSR Lighting Ascent in the 30", but found them too heavy. My thought with the MSR Lightning Ascent is to use the smaller version for trails where floatation isn't needed as much as traction is. Then I have the tails for incase. The tails are not the same as using 30" due to foot being farther forward then a true 30". For floatation I don't need 30" with aggressive teeth. The 25" MSR LA weigh about the same as the 30" Northern Lites. |
| schweady |
11/17/2015 01:57PMquote OldFingers57: "I would think you would get a lot better grip and traction with the modern snowshoes as they all have a metal cleat or cleats to grip and dig in with whereas the old style ones you are depending on the laces to grip the snow or ice. I think you have more of a chance of sliding and skiing in the old style ones. " Sure, you have to pick your conditions if you can. I just enjoy the way the shape allows a natural nesting of each step following the other without a bow-legged waddle. |
| SevenofNine |
11/17/2015 12:40PM I have the newer style Atlas snow shoes and enjoy the added benefit of the cleats. The harness is a bit cumbersome but it keeps the shoes on. However their float is nothing compared to an old style shoe. If I had a choice I would make the old style and add my own cleats. Then I would find an easy on/off harness that works better than what I have now. |
| jwartman59 |
11/17/2015 11:08AM i've got a pair of 1970's canadian snowshoes. i've used many types of snowshoes and these are my favs. still they are torture to use, i almost always prefer skis. 
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| butthead |
11/17/2015 10:32AM Old Sherpa 9x25 Old Sherpa 9x30Just started last year, both pair bought thru e-bay (sentimental choice, locally made). Hope to use much more this year, enjoyed using the 9x25's last season even as short as it was for me. Sherpa History. butthead |
| OldFingers57 |
11/17/2015 08:36AM I would think you would get a lot better grip and traction with the modern snowshoes as they all have a metal cleat or cleats to grip and dig in with whereas the old style ones you are depending on the laces to grip the snow or ice. I think you have more of a chance of sliding and skiing in the old style ones. |
| Jaywalker |
11/17/2015 08:14AM +1 on the Country Ways Ojibwa. I made them at home about 15 years ago and have been happy with them. Wasn't crazy about the rubber bindings as they are a bit hard to get in and out of, but I think they have improved since I got mine. I haven't used moderns so can't speak to their advantages. |
| OldFingers57 |
11/17/2015 08:03AM Ya they have classes over at some of the Michigan state parks in the winter for making snowshoes with those same kits. |
| schweady |
11/17/2015 07:40AM OldFingers57: We laced our own Ojibwa style shoes at a class at the Ely Folk School last September. They got the kits for us through Country Ways. Laced them in three 5-hour classes, then they were dipped in urethane - three coats. Then you need to choose a binding... we got the GV rubber ones. Started out a bit frustrating, but after getting the hang of the over-under rules and getting our knots right, it was lots of fun and a true source of pride. The pointed tips and tails of the Ojibwa design make for the most natural walk while out there. |
| OldFingers57 |
11/17/2015 06:45AM I've got a pair of Atlas 10 series snowshoes that have the heel lifter to them. They work great on the hills and the flats. Great traction. I've been looking for a pair of Ojibwa wood snowshoes. Missed out on a pair of ebay the other day. I've also been thinking of making my own pair of wood ones from a kit. |
| MNLindsey80 |
11/16/2015 08:12PM Don't currently "own" snow shoes - except the old fashion pair on my wall for decor.... and wondering.... New style or old style? What do you guys prefer? |
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