I have several nice pairs of wooden snowshoes but sadly the people who made them are no longer alive. Who still makes wooden snowshoes? Anyone near Ely? Any help would be wonderful.

Try these folks.

Link

I’m still using the wooden snowshoes I bought at the United Stores in Bloomington in 1987. I love them!
Tom

I’m still using wood and rawhide shoes, WHEN we have enough snow, which we haven’t been getting here in Michigan. I have a “thing” for old Indian made snowshoes, and consider them works of art. I think I have 11 pairs. The lower pair in the photo is my favorite. They are spring shoes, meaning the babiche doesn’t wrap the sides of the frame, but rather attaches to a selvage cord. As far as who is still making wooden ones, in this country, Iverson’s, in Shingleton, MI, is. It’s a community effort. The frames are made at the shop, and the weave, of either rawhide or neoprene, is done by folks in their homes. They aren’t cheap.
I highly recommend the book, by Henri Vaillancourt, which offers step-by-step instructions. It is called, “ Making the Attikamek Snowshoe”. It has a lot of pics of native Americans in various stages of the process. Making your own is very rewarding. This photo is of my first attempt.

Wooden snowshoes have more support and you don't sink as deep as the modern Shoes. My only drawback is modern snowshoes have a much superior snow binding for your boot.

These are really nice. I have a friend who has the Rabbit Hunters and they are awesome. I bought their bindings to put on a pair of wooden Alaskan style I had (replacing the rubber binding). IMO putting these bindings on a traditional snowshoe is a best of both worlds - you get the float of a traditional and a binding that is more rigid and easy to get into.

MG Snowshoes

airmorse: "Try these folks.

Link "

+1. I made a pair from one of their kits about 20 years ago, and have used them a ton in the last 10 years. I have really beat on them but they have really held up. At first I was not sure about the pointy fronts, but have found them to be much better when bushwhacking in the BWCA.

Maine Guide Snowshoes.. many types..
wooden snowshoes

curiously Darren Bush of Rutabaga makes wooden snowshoes too. Not in Rutabaga's stock don't look there.

I often wonder why snowshoes don't adopt a binding like on cross country skis?

SurlyDude: "These are really nice. I have a friend who has the Rabbit Hunters and they are awesome. I bought their bindings to put on a pair of wooden Alaskan style I had (replacing the rubber binding). IMO putting these bindings on a traditional snowshoe is a best of both worlds - you get the float of a traditional and a binding that is more rigid and easy to get into.

MG Snowshoes "

You got me looking at them. How do they compare on floatation-striding with other snowshoes you are familiar with?

I have made about a hundred pairs of snowshooz based primarily off the plans from Gil Gilpatrick's book. I've shrunk the plans and also come up with an Ojibway and Michigan style shooz that kids as young as 3 can wear. My four year old great-nephew hiked 3 miles the first time he tried them. GV makes a ratcheting style binding with crampons that you can easily attach to the lacing also.

Knoozer: "I have made about a hundred pairs of snowshooz based primarily off the plans from Gil Gilpatrick's book. I've shrunk the plans and also come up with an Ojibway and Michigan style shooz that kids as young as 3 can wear. My four year old great-nephew hiked 3 miles the first time he tried them. GV makes a ratcheting style binding with crampons that you can easily attach to the lacing also."

GV is? Also, what is your favorite for floation?

Voyager: "I’m still using wood and rawhide shoes, WHEN we have enough snow, which we haven’t been getting here in Michigan. I have a “thing” for old Indian made snowshoes, and consider them works of art. I think I have 11 pairs. The lower pair in the photo is my favorite. They are spring shoes, meaning the babiche doesn’t wrap the sides of the frame, but rather attaches to a selvage cord. As far as who is still making wooden ones, in this country, Iverson’s, in Shingleton, MI, is. It’s a community effort. The frames are made at the shop, and the weave, of either rawhide or neoprene, is done by folks in their homes. They aren’t cheap.
I highly recommend the book, by Henri Vaillancourt, which offers step-by-step instructions. It is called, “ Making the Attikamek Snowshoe”. It has a lot of pics of native Americans in various stages of the process. Making your own is very rewarding. This photo is of my first attempt. "

These are fantastic! I rock the same bindings. Come up to the Keweenaw, we have the snow.

Hex

hexnymph: "

Voyager: "I’m still using wood and rawhide shoes, WHEN we have enough snow, which we haven’t been getting here in Michigan. I have a “thing” for old Indian made snowshoes, and consider them works of art. I think I have 11 pairs. The lower pair in the photo is my favorite. They are spring shoes, meaning the babiche doesn’t wrap the sides of the frame, but rather attaches to a selvage cord. As far as who is still making wooden ones, in this country, Iverson’s, in Shingleton, MI, is. It’s a community effort. The frames are made at the shop, and the weave, of either rawhide or neoprene, is done by folks in their homes. They aren’t cheap.
I highly recommend the book, by Henri Vaillancourt, which offers step-by-step instructions. It is called, “ Making the Attikamek Snowshoe”. It has a lot of pics of native Americans in various stages of the process. Making your own is very rewarding. This photo is of my first attempt. "

These are fantastic! I rock the same bindings. Come up to the Keweenaw, we have the snow.

Hex"

That is a beautiful collection of snowshoes. And in case anyone is not familiar with lamp wick bindings, here’s a vid from Lure of the North. Gotta say, I do like the idea of just stepping right in.

Lamp wick bindings - Lure of the North

Quality stuff here. Not near Ely, but in the UP:
https://iversonssnowshoes.com/product-category/snowshoes/

More applause for Iverson snowshoes. We have had ours for 20+ years and they still perform nicely and they look good because we varnish them when necessary. We also use metal frame snowshoes. It just depends on the terrain and objectives.

GV is a Canadian company in Quebec. They manufacture both wood and metal frame snowshoes.

Pinetree: "I often wonder why snowshoes don't adopt a binding like on cross country skis? "

That’s a good question.

My guess would be that on wooden snowshoes you don’t touch the frame. The ball of your foot steps on a thickly wrapped cord- not the frame. I wouldn’t think nnn or sns binding would give enough lateral control for walking and maneuvering- so 3 pin bindings would be the only ones that would give the control needed. ..and those require being screwed in. If they weren’t screwed to a cross piece then they’d just pivot and slosh around on the thick cord and the control would suck.

So I think you could do it- but you’d have to alter the frame…


Also. I’ll just add I use wooden only. I have several but the Alaskan style is by far my favorite.

Pinetree: "

SurlyDude: "These are really nice. I have a friend who has the Rabbit Hunters and they are awesome. I bought their bindings to put on a pair of wooden Alaskan style I had (replacing the rubber binding). IMO putting these bindings on a traditional snowshoe is a best of both worlds - you get the float of a traditional and a binding that is more rigid and easy to get into.


MG Snowshoes "

You got me looking at them. How do they compare on floatation-striding with other snowshoes you are familiar with?"

Those rabbit hunter ones have pretty similar float to the 10 x 56 Alaskans I have been using for 5 years. Definitely a little more maneuverable... But that was in pretty brief use of the MG model. I don't have much snowshoe experience besides the Alaskans (which I love, no idea brand as they were passed down) and MG offers many different models but I've just seen the rabbit hunter.

Thanks.

Pinetree, Here is a link to the GV Snowshoes bindings. As far as which flotation type I like best is probably the Michigan style as I mostly use them in the woods but not well traveled trails. Ojibways are nice if you're hiking across a snow covered lake or field but don't handle the hills like we find along the Ice Age trail that I frequent. Currently I'm building my first pair of Alaskans which is kind of a hybrid of the other two so we'll see how that goes. I also designed a rubber style binding I like that is almost hands free to put on and take off.

GV Snowshoe binding

I used snowshoes running trap line and work.

Wearing any snowshoe in my opinion is a PITA.

I personally don't understand wearing them for pleasure.

I avoid wearing them if I can get away with out wearing them.

airmorse: "Try these folks.


Link "

Thanks for the link. I’ll check them out.

egknuti: "

airmorse: "Try these folks.



Link "

Thanks for the link. I’ll check them out. "

We laced ours at an Ely Folk School class 6 years back, using a Country Ways kit. Lots of fun to use and really nice looking, but we will sometimes miss having the cleat grip present on modern 'shoes.

Looking good Schweady. I've got a pair that style I bought from Pancake Bay Ont. years ago. Made by a Mme. Abel Pelletier et fils, St. Aubert Que. They're my most frequently used style.

Voyager: "Looking good Schweady. I've got a pair that style I bought from Pancake Bay Ont. years ago. Made by a Mme. Abel Pelletier et fils, St. Aubert Que. They're my most frequently used style."

We are looking possibly changing bindings, maybe the lampwick type? It's getting to be a struggle to slide into the GV rubber ones we currently use.

Again, not cheap, but wonderful craftsmanship. The folks at Northern Toboggan also make snowshoes and have an Ely storefront now.

TreeBear: "Again, not cheap, but wonderful craftsmanship. The folks at Northern Toboggan also make snowshoes and have an Ely storefront now. "

I have not heard of these guys before. I checked their website - cool looking stuff. I hope they do well.

Lamp wicking works best with a soft moccasin style or mukluk style footwear. I made my own high top mocs from brain tanned elk for the bottoms and canvas for the tops. Of course, if the snow gets too warm, anything above 25 F, I pull the snowmobile felt liners out of the mocs and place it in a pair of thin Tingley boots. It's a great system if you're constantly in and out of your webs, as you can put them on or off no-handed , without bending over. If you are in mountainous terrain, stick with the new- fangled snowshoes.

schweady: "

egknuti: "

airmorse: "Try these folks.



Link "

Thanks for the link. I’ll check them out. "

We laced ours at an Ely Folk School class 6 years back, using a Country Ways kit. Lots of fun to use and really nice looking, but we will sometimes miss having the cleat grip present on modern 'shoes.
"

I took a class through the DNR and we spent two days lacing our snowshoes. A lot of fun but after several hours of lacing, my mind started to go crazy!

egknuti: "

schweady: "

egknuti: "

airmorse: "Try these folks.

Link "

Thanks for the link. I’ll check them out. "

We laced ours at an Ely Folk School class 6 years back, using a Country Ways kit. Lots of fun to use and really nice looking, but we will sometimes miss having the cleat grip present on modern 'shoes.
"

I took a class through the DNR and we spent two days lacing our snowshoes. A lot of fun but after several hours of lacing, my mind started to go crazy! "

I would think doing these in a class/group setting would be fun and especially helpful if they have a vat of urethane for dipping. But just so people know, there is no reason these can’t be made at home too. I did mine at home - just follow the instructions on marking and tying, then brush on the urethane.

Jaywalker: "

TreeBear: "Again, not cheap, but wonderful craftsmanship. The folks at Northern Toboggan also make snowshoes and have an Ely storefront now. "

I have not heard of these guys before. I checked their website - cool looking stuff. I hope they do well. "

Looks like they use snowshoe kits from Country Ways which is also Snowshoe.com.

I laced up a pair of the GreenMtn shoes and really love them. Super light and are a pleasure to use.

Personal instruction from Greg Wilcox (Wilcox and Williams) at the Winter Camping Symposium in October :)

Jaywalker: "...just so people know, there is no reason these can’t be made at home too. I did mine at home - just follow the instructions on marking and tying, then brush on the urethane. "

True that. Even though it was a group class, there were many times when you were glued to your own work and you'd be chanting to yourself the mantra from the unrelenting instruction sheet: 'Rights over lefts and under horizontals... Lefts under rights and over horizontals...' Even so, it's nice to share the camaraderie and consternation that goes along with doing it in a group.

schweady: "

Jaywalker: "...just so people know, there is no reason these can’t be made at home too. I did mine at home - just follow the instructions on marking and tying, then brush on the urethane. "

True that. Even though it was a group class, there were many times when you were glued to your own work and you'd be chanting to yourself the mantra from the unrelenting instruction sheet: 'Rights over lefts and under horizontals... Lefts under rights and over horizontals...' Even so, it's nice to share the camaraderie and consternation that goes along with doing it in a group.
"

I know if I did that class-the snowshoes would end up one of a kind-not good

Pinetree: "

schweady: "

Jaywalker: "...just so people know, there is no reason these can’t be made at home too. I did mine at home - just follow the instructions on marking and tying, then brush on the urethane. "

True that. Even though it was a group class, there were many times when you were glued to your own work and you'd be chanting to yourself the mantra from the unrelenting instruction sheet: 'Rights over lefts and under horizontals... Lefts under rights and over horizontals...' Even so, it's nice to share the camaraderie and consternation that goes along with doing it in a group.
"

I know if I did that class-the snowshoes would end up one of a kind-not good"

:-)

Iverson's, Country Way's Kits, GV's, Menards Sherpa--not the original Sherpa's, even an old pair of 1943 Lund's. They all work! I'm partial to the Super A bindings that snowshoe.com/Country Way's sells but like lampwicking with mukluks as well. Made some green mountains from the kit for my brother in Colorado. Was able to find some metal cleats to attach under the foot area. It was some years ago perhaps from Iverson's or one of the other snowshoe manufactures at the time.

Finding quality hand made snowshoes has got to be a challenge. Costly as well.

I rented some snowshoes for the first time today. Just to try something out. It was very fun. They were----Tubb's FLEX STP MEN'S SNOWSHOES

My question is, "How sturdy do the wooden snowshoes hold your boot?".

These rentals were not in the best condition but held my boot okay. Looking to purchase some and would rather buy wooden ones.

Portage99: "I rented some snowshoes for the first time today. Just to try something out. It was very fun. They were----Tubb's FLEX STP MEN'S SNOWSHOES


My question is, "How sturdy do the wooden snowshoes hold your boot?".


These rentals were not in the best condition but held my boot okay. Looking to purchase some and would rather buy wooden ones."

That is my only complaint on wooden snowshoes,the binding once was much inferior to metal snowshoes.

But look at some of the links on this thread,Iot of new binding types to pick from now.

You will get much better floatation on a wooden snowshoe. If your following in a path of others, I would probably go with the metal one stil. They are more mobile, but like I said themetal ones are much inferior to wooden ones in floatation. Aso some models in the metal the foot placement is too far forward and the front of the shoe sinks much more than the back.

Good thread or forum with a lot of info-keep it going.

Ooot of Canada are these guys: Snowshoe Sales and Repairs Posting them here eventhough I haven't ever used them, but they weave all of their snowshoes using 400lb monofilament. First time I have come across a company that offers a lacing that isn't rawhide.

There is a few companies now using a neoprene or a rope lace now.

Country Ways uses nylon lacing, or at least has that option. It looks a lot like rawhide once varnished but it's basically nylon shoelace material.

brulu: "Country Ways uses nylon lacing, or at least has that option. It looks a lot like rawhide once varnished but it's basically nylon shoelace material."

I like some of their bindings. country way

Iverson Snowshoes, Wetmore, Michigan. This is a small town near Munising. Bought a pair of ash modified Bearpaws over 40 years ago and they are still in great shape.

I built my Alaskans and laced a pair with nylon lacing from countryways. It’s incredibly tough when varnished. And unlike rawhide, they don’t start to sag when wet…. That’s the knock on rawhide…

Grizzlyman: "I built my Alaskans and laced a pair with nylon lacing from countryways. It’s incredibly tough when varnished. And unlike rawhide, they don’t start to sag when wet…. That’s the knock on rawhide…"

That happens with leather bindings also.

Well still looking for a set of wooden snowshoes-seems like the number of makers is dropping. I have found out metal snowshoes have very poor floatation compared to wooden ones. Also, the foot placement is too far forward on metal ones when breaking trail.

This thread is a little dated, but Northern Toboggan has purchased Greg's Country Ways company and will be producing snowshoes and toboggans etc.

I noticed that Faber was purchased last year after being in the same family for its entire history. 150 years of classic snowshoe production ended in 2020.

TreeBear: "I noticed that Faber was purchased last year after being in the same family for its entire history. 150 years of classic snowshoe production ended in 2020. "

Yeh, I looked at their site and all I seen was metal snowshoes now. Sad.

I mentioned before, I did side by side test of wooden snowshoes,crosscountry skis(moderate width) and modern snowshoes. Modern snowshoes sank much deeper in the snow than the others.

Pinetree: "

TreeBear: "I noticed that Faber was purchased last year after being in the same family for its entire history. 150 years of classic snowshoe production ended in 2020. "

Yeh, I looked at their site and all I seen was metal snowshoes now. Sad.


I mentioned before, I did side by side test of wooden snowshoes,crosscountry skis(moderate width) and modern snowshoes. Modern snowshoes sank much deeper in the snow than the others. "

There's some really solid content online about this. I tend to bring two sets on BWCA trips: a modern for the steep trails and traditionals for the deep powder and the lakes. Most modern snowshoes are just made for walking packed trails, that's it. Some companies like MSR have done some cool modifications like an extendable deck (with a snap on extension) for making their shoes larger if the snow is deeper and smaller if a person needs more maneuverability. Also I think it was Faber (?) but there probably are others that made a hybrid shoe. In their case it was a wood frame with a neoprene deck that had some level of spikes on the underside allowing it to have grip more like a modern shoe while having the float of a big classic.

We also have a pair of the “surplus” snowshoes. They’re magnesium frame laced with cable. We put different bindings on…

They’re a huron style (tennis racket). They do solve a lot of the “problems” with wood- no sagging, tougher, crampons on the bottom for grip, but bigger for float like a wooden shoe. It’s essentially a metal version of a wooden shoe… not a “modern” style. I still prefer wood but like these a lot.

They’re worth a look if you haven’t already. I paid $40 or so about 10 years ago….double now…. Snowshoes

I substitute teach in my local high school and the environmental science class had the kids building snowshoes with sticks, innertubes and lacing. I did a quick google and could not find that plan but I did see a plan on Pinterest to make bindings from innertubes for your traditional wooden snowshoe. I'll likely look at that further since I have some broken bindings on wooden snowshoes.

tobiedog: "I substitute teach in my local high school and the environmental science class had the kids building snowshoes with sticks, innertubes and lacing. I did a quick google and could not find that plan but I did see a plan on Pinterest to make bindings from innertubes for your traditional wooden snowshoe. I'll likely look at that further since I have some broken bindings on wooden snowshoes."

you usually need extremely thick inner tubes

Pinetree: "

SurlyDude: "These are really nice. I have a friend who has the Rabbit Hunters and they are awesome. I bought their bindings to put on a pair of wooden Alaskan style I had (replacing the rubber binding). IMO putting these bindings on a traditional snowshoe is a best of both worlds - you get the float of a traditional and a binding that is more rigid and easy to get into.


MG Snowshoes "

You got me looking at them. How do they compare on floatation-striding with other snowshoes you are familiar with?"

any update or use of these rabbit hunter shoes

inner tube bindings

egknuti: " inner tube bindings"

\

I like many people up north use to have inner tubes from the big iron mining trucks in the 60's and 70's. That was great for bindings. I don't know about your rubber bindings, but many now stretch even while walking and are not that good.

These were made by Jack Moraski from Hoyt Lakes who also made snowshoes and this pair is about 10 years old and have not stretched a bit.

Always like this test-modern snowshoes suck for floatation
sink or float

I laced a pair of Country Ways Alaskan snowhoes this year. They have four or five coats of Miniwax Helmsman Spar Urethane, but even so, the nylon seems to abraid fairly quickly at wear points. I tried first with GV Ratchet Bindings, but the hard plastic wore the varnish off the master cord in 8 or 9 miles. I switched to lampwick bindings, but even those are abraiding the edges of the nylon web where they rub. I have a pair of rawhide-laced GV modified bearpaws with lampwick bindings and see no wear from the bindings at all. Does anyone else have similar problems with the nylon web?

North House Folk School (Grand Marais) has historically offered a 3-day snowshoe making course, though I don't see one on the schedule yet for this year.

Question for the knowledgeable folks on this thread: I use both wooden and "modern" snowshoes. The modern/aluminum shoes have 'teeth' I guess for better gripping the bottom of your boot, however, I like to wear mukluks snowshoeing, and I'm worried those teeth will trash the soles of my mukluks :( any suggestions for modifying this to protect my muks?

chessie: "North House Folk School (Grand Marais) has historically offered a 3-day snowshoe making course, though I don't see one on the schedule yet for this year.


Question for the knowledgeable folks on this thread: I use both wooden and "modern" snowshoes. The modern/aluminum shoes have 'teeth' I guess for better gripping the bottom of your boot, however, I like to wear mukluks snowshoeing, and I'm worried those teeth will trash the soles of my mukluks :( any suggestions for modifying this to protect my muks? "

The only teeth I've ever seen on snowshoes are the various types of mock crampons on the underside, which never come in contact with boot soles and would pose no threat to mukluks that I can see. What are you referring to if not these?