Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Winter Camping and Activities :: Show Shoes
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ArrowheadPaddler |
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. |
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2old4U |
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Jaywalker |
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. |
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schweady |
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OldFingers57 |
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Jaywalker |
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OldFingers57 |
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OldFingers57 |
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schweady |
quote 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. |
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JoshP |
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. |
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wingnut |
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ZaraSp00k |
quote 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 |
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Pinetree |
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. |
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MrBreeze |
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. |
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butthead |
Old Sherpa 9x30 Just 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 |
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jwartman59 |
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SevenofNine |
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. |
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MNLindsey80 |
New style or old style? What do you guys prefer? |
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MNLindsey80 |
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Knoozer |
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