Snowshoe recommendation, please!

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SleazyRider

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Like many of us, I did a great deal of hunting in some deep snow this winter, and my snoeshoes let me down miserably. They are Tubbs brand, and my complaint isn't so much the snowshoe as it is the binding. The bindings are a complex web of criss-crossing straps that take nearly 15 minutes to install and adjust each time I use them, and just as often as not, come loose while I'm walking. I've put on a pound or two as well since I bought them, so it's time for a new pair.

Can anybody recommend a quality snowshoe that has racheting-style bindings or similar bindings that clamp to one's boot quickly, easily, and securely? One of the joys of hunting on snowshoes is the stealth it affords compared to walking on crunching leaves and twigs, but if that silence is broken by my loudly swearing dark oaths at my snowshoes, that advantage is lost.
 
Tubbs Mountain snowshoes are much simpler. Quick, solid, don't come loose, very aggressive crampon.
 
First- snowshoeing is for young children, old women, and anyone else that doesnt know how to ski

That being said, if you got to wear snowshoes MSR are the best IMO

They will be working long after models with aluminum frames have holes and bends, and neoprene decking has long rotted off.

The ability to add tails for deeper snows/packs is also nice

Best accessory for snowshoes? Ski poles.
 
Bwana John said:
First- snowshoeing is for young children, old women, and anyone else that doesnt know how to ski
Click to expand...

Uh-oh, and here all along I've been using them for hunting and hiking---I've even gotten a deer or two using them, sneaking around in places where the snowmobiles and 4WD hunters don't dare go. Come to think of it, I've never encountered a young child or old woman on snowshoes.

I'll give the MSRs a look. I think I've seen them at Campmor.

And maybe the Tubbs Mountain shoes have improved since my experience, I'll give them a second look as well. Thanks for the advice!
 
I have used Tubbs snowshoes for many years in my winter expeditions. I have been to the Boundry Waters Canoe Area in February and the UP of Michigan in the dead of winter on multiple occasions. My ongoing concern was if I were back 5-10 miles away from my vehicle and had my snowshoes fail.....I would be stuck with a roll of duct tape and broken snowshoes. My Tubbs not only did me well, but they allowed me to go to areas where I could have never dreamed of, snow up past my waist without snowshoes.

My recommendation though includes making sure your boots fit the bindings. I could not wear my 100 below pack boots with the bindings. I had to go purchase 40 below boots (much smaller) to wear with the bindings.

A good pair of snowshoes will last a lifetime. This is a great time of year to purchase a pair though. Make sure you get a pair rated for not only what you weigh, but what you weigh with any equipment you may have (firearm, backpack etc.) Don't be vain with your weight.

I hope this helps!!
 
+1 for MSR. I bought snowshoes for the whole family for Christmas and did hours of research before making the purchase. MSR snowshoes get uniformly positive reviews. Here is the model that I bought:

http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/snowshoes/trek/evo/product

The bindings are comfortable, secure, and easy to put on. I bought from Cabela's, but it appears that Cabela's has pulled almost all of their snowshoe listings for the season (as has REI). Good luck finding what you want. If you are lucky you'll get a season ending deal. More than likely you'll have to wait until autumn.
 
Good post and don't listen to folks that don't deal with snow for 6 months. I like to add something good to a post or go on to the next. Might be a up north thing? Anyway it depends alot on the type of snow you are dealing with. There are four types of snowshoes to consider.
If it's thick woods and alot of brush then the bear paw, which is oval or round shaped works well.
If it's open country you are trekking, then the long Alaskan will cover ground best. One needs to consider the Michigan style also....it's a combo of the bear paw and the Alaskan.
The forth is the ojibwa...kinda like the alaskan, except pointed on both ends.
Keep in mind that your weight will factor into the size ss you decide will work also. Different lenghts and widths are made to accommodate you.

I realize you are having binding problems. I know there is a hand tied version that works well. Let me see if I can find what I'm thinking about....
mingo

Scroll down a ways to the lampwick pictures of a good hometied binding.
http://wintertrekking.com/index.php?topic=231.15
 
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I have a pair of redfeathers that I love, but they are very light and maneuverable.
My wife has a pair of wider/heavier backcountry snowshoes that she used for backcountry winter backpacking. I can't remember the manufacturer. Those have a wide base and would make better platform for pulling out game after hunting.
 
No question, MSR, and I snowshoe in the Colorado Rockies a lot. Even the basic MSR models have crampons attached to the bindings that allow travel on very steep or off-camber terrain, and you can use removable tails to adjust flotation--i.e. no tails when on crusty snow with a light load and 6" or 12" tails with a pack or on light snow (or when you are carrying the winter weight like I am...)

You did say quiet though, and MSRs are not quiet, noise will be a trade off for how much traction you need. More traction=more noise, particularly in icy conditions.
 
I appreciate the responses! The problem with my current bindings, more specifically, is how time-consuming and cumbersome they are to put on and take off. Think about lacing up a very high boot, when no matter how hard you wrestle and pull, the bottom laces do not get tensioned, only the top. That is how my bindings are. You really need a pair of needle nose pliers to get them tight. Now when I'm fully dressed in winter clothes, and in the field without a place to sit, it is difficult enough to manage my pack and rifle, let alone struggle with my snowshoes. I need a binding that I can shove my boot into while standing, tighten, and go. I think I recall seeing somebody with a clever ratcheting mechanism on their bindings, which may be the answer.
 
My wife and I try to get out snowshoeing when we can. Our first set had the lace-up bindings but the Tubbs we have now have 3 adjustable straps with snap buckles. Once you get them adjusted for your boot they're not too bad to get in and out of. It's a matter of unsnapping one buckle and loosening a second strap.
Now the question is - how long to get them? Ours are 25" and are fine for trails and day packs. For deep powder and a heavier pack you may want to consider 30" ones although I believe 25" is the most popular size.
And a pair of hiking poles help immensely but your gun won't be handy should you see game when walking with them.
 
I have the old-style wood and leather (I believe) that is thickly-coated with some clear protectant. The leather straps are a pain in the butt. I lost one and currently use a short bungie cord for that shoe.

Also, depending on what condition the snow is (hard pack, soft, icy, etc) determines what type of shoe you will need, in combination with your weight. You could easily have several pairs of these just to be able to walk on the snow. The last time I used mine, I was fighting them as I was sinking in about 6-12" down into the fluff (that was 3-4 feet deep).

I find them to be difficult to use which means I should get out and practice more with them!
 
lamp wick binding

Traditional wood and hide snowshoes have a small advantage - they can be repaired in the field with snare wire, para-cord and a splint cut from a tree limb.

Most useful binding for traditional snowshoes is made from old-style 1" wide lampwick (wicks for coal oil lamps are sold by the foot, from rolls). This is an old northern woodlands technique that was used by indians and trappers. Very quick to get into and tie off - just make sure that you use a slipknot in case the knot freezes over.

For modern times: MSR is top of the line in true functionality and quality. Good fast binding too. MSRs keep me floating above snowpacks that often exceed 10' in compacted depth.
 
Ever hear of a product called Yowies? They're easy to put on, work great, and you can travel in all but the most powdery deep snow with no problems at all. They're an Australian product, but they ship here pretty quickly and they are quite reasonable price-wise. Their website is here:

http://www.yowies.com.au

Believe it or not, these are used in Afghanistan by US and UK Special Forces, as well as rescue folks all over the place (that's how I found out about them). They are great for uneven terrain, working more like a very large shoe. Yowies are ungodly tough, too -- I use them for hunting in the North Woods of Wisconsin and have used mine for several seasons. They look like they're brand-new.

I tried snow shoes a few times, and was put off by how hard they were to use for hunting. Can't really go up or down hills very well, and they're not very maneuverable. Yowies solved the problem for me really well. If pictures would be interesting, let me know and I'll get the camera out.
 
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