What is Your Preferred Snowshoe?

J

jasonprox700

Member
I've been looking around for a pair of snowshoes for coyote/fox hunting up here in Wisconsin but there are so many choices. I tried hunting last winter without them in a few feet of snow, and all I can say is NEVER AGAIN!!!

I am 5' 9", 200lbs (all muscle of course!
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) and with hunting clothes and gear, I imagine I would be in the 220 to 230lb range. My hunting would take place in a variety of terrain from rolling hills and woods, to low lands and marshes. I'm looking to go with one of the newer styles. I don't really have a budget, so I'm open to anything. I figure if I'm going to spend the money, I might as well pony up and get the best (buy once, cry once).

I've seen a few brands, MSR, Tubb, etc..., but they all look the same to me and I don't really know the quality difference between the brands.

So what brand and model of snowshoes do you guys use or prefer?
 
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Don't have experience in any of the brand name stuff out there buy the year we had 6' of snow I put a good many mile on a pair of white, magnesium/aluminum surplus snow shoes I ordered from sportsmans guide. Think they were like $35 and built to last a nuclear bomb. The bindings kinda sucked but worked "OK" after I played with em a bit.

CB
 
hi. i own a pair of sherpa's,bought in the 70's in northern mi.they went out of business in the late 80's but their largest dealer in canada took over making them.it is irs supplys wich sells mining supplies. if you google sherpa you should be able to find a link.mine are still going strong.and in my estimation are the best made,pricey but with a good ice cleat and the best binding i have used.your snow shoe looks up like an extension of your boot. another good choice is iverson made in the eastern up,wood frame and strong rot proof neopreem bindings and lacing.
 
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5'9" and 200lbs?! Heck, ya ain't no bigger than a minute! I am 6'1" 250lbs without hunting clothes, gear or heavy wool socks and I can tell you I LOVE good snowshoes!

Snowshoes are rated for weight of course and I use a 30" shoe made by Yukon Charlie. My brother is an inch taller and 25lbs lighter and uses a 30" shoe by Redfeather. Both shoes keep us well floated with guns and gear. The big difference is bindings. The Yukon Charlie shoes I have are (in my opinion) easier to get on and off in a hurry. In the future I am hoping to get some Crescent Moon shoes. These are perhaps the best bindings in the business. Falling short of that, Atlas and Tubb make good shoes and bindings as well.

Snowshoes are a delight for a middle aged fat guy in deep snow. I will never be without them again.
 
Beagler that mount is freaking awesome! I'm still searching for my first snowshoe as in CA they are rare and they are only in the high sierra from 7,000-13,000 feet.I actualy saw one in august and we had so much snow it was still white, of course it was in the campground! When my Beagle dies I want to have her mounted chasing down a snowshoe like that!
 
The white magnisium/aluminum mil surp one. They are tough, light and most of all quiet. Get the rubber G&V snowshoe bindings and they are quick and easy on/off too.
 
It depends on snow conditions. I have four different pair. The Tubbs and Sherpa's are great shoes, But in deep powder, Nothing works as well as the long { ? 48" X 10" } wood and rawhide shoes with the long tail. The long tail helps pull the nose of the shoe up and you don't have to lift your feet as high. The long tail also assists you a lot in thicker vegetation because it trails behind you better. For short walks to coyote hunting stands I would stay with the Tabb's or Sherpa's, But for long days on a pair of snow shoe's nothing compares to the longer rawhide covered wood shoe's. When using wood & rawhide shoe's, make sure they have a thick later of varathane to keep them from absorbing water and to keep the snow from sticking.
 
MSR is widely known for being the leaders in the snow shoe market. Particullarly the Lightning ascents are very nice they climb better than most any other and are very light!

For your weight though bigger is going to be better. MSR also offers the Denalli shoes which you can add a larger tail to increase float. That is probally the direction I would urge you.

MSRs bindings are quick to get in and out of, simple and rugged as well as user maintainable.
 
Originally Posted By: BucksnboldersIt depends on snow conditions. I have four different pair. The Tubbs and Sherpa's are great shoes, But in deep powder, Nothing works as well as the long { ? 48" X 10" } wood and rawhide shoes with the long tail. The long tail helps pull the nose of the shoe up and you don't have to lift your feet as high. The long tail also assists you a lot in thicker vegetation because it trails behind you better. For short walks to coyote hunting stands I would stay with the Tabb's or Sherpa's, But for long days on a pair of snow shoe's nothing compares to the longer rawhide covered wood shoe's. When using wood & rawhide shoe's, make sure they have a thick later of varathane to keep them from absorbing water and to keep the snow from sticking.

We went from the large wood rawhide showshoes to 12 x 42in. GV Widetrails 5 yrs ago for deep powdery snow. You get the amazing ratcheting and pivoting bindings, steel cleats, 12 x 42 frame and a lifetime warranty.
The problems with the wood ones are the upkeep and POOR bindings.

They go for $350-400 a pair but cabelas Canada had them on for less than $300. GV also makes the 10 x 36in Alaskan Outfitter Snowshoe for Cabela's. We had a pair but they weren't as rugged as the GV 12x42 Widetrail.

I'll never go back to old style bindings.

The negatives of these snowshoes are the price and they are loud on crustly snow.
 
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