MnGCA

joboo · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 3:07 pm Post subject: Snowshoes????

i'm in the market for a new pair of snowshoes, i'm leaning toward Tubbs, just looking for some real world input before i make the plunge........

what is everyone else wearing??
Pro's/Con's

Thank you for your time!!!

Peace,
Joboo
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Red_Devil35 · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 3:47 pm Post subject:

From another section of the forum:

Kurt Franke · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 5:05 pm Post subject:

I have only used the old fashioned wooden showshoes and I love them. I have 3 pair of Michigan-style snowshoes. I like this shape/style for general use. You can get more specific designs depending on your terrain.

I also like the looks and feel of the traditional shoes. They are very easy to maintain as well. I bought mine for about $75 I believe. I use these simple bindings made from truck tire intertubes. The tubes are free and easy to make and reliable.

I thought about purchasing a pair of the new metal shoes but couldn't bring myself to do it. I would guess they work better on trails. My traditional shoes are great for bushwacking and deep snow.

Kurt
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butcherandswimmer · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 9:59 pm Post subject:

I have a pair of Tubbs. I got them as a gift A few years ago. They work real well and go through the wood just fine. It is almost easyer going accross country as following the curvey trails in the parks around here. I have been out almost daily the last two weeks and it is so easy walking I look forward to going. Still borrow or rent first and it does take a few times to get the bindings right.
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A.B.E.L. · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 2:41 pm Post subject:

I'm quite fond of my MSR Evo Denali Ascents

(MSR has some lower priced no-frills version of this same shoe for < $100)

They're made of a really high quality high impact plastic that has held up to everything I've been able to throw at it. (and I'm quite rough on my gear) I can add/remove a 6" flotation tail for if I'm walking on a groomed trail where I don't need it or a back country area where they provide extra flotation. They also have really nice built-in crampons and other teeth on the bottom that make it really easy to walk up icy hills or walking at and angle. been with others who have traditional snow shoes and they had to take their shoes off while I was able to easily traverse icy logs, hills or slopes. *but of course traditional showshoes would provide a lot better flotation across flat land with deep snow than these, different shoe designs have different purposes. I'd recommend finding out what you plan on using them for and testing a couple different brand/models out via rentals or I think REI has a little 'course' you can try them out on. I will say I highly recommend the MSR Evo snowshoes.
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EPMinnesota · MnGCA Board Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 848

oh my goodness. I really am out of the loop. I thought maybe I'd just strap a coupld old wood tennis rackets on my feet and be good to go. Maybe I need to rethink this snowshoeing thing. Those would be so handy in so many places I've been caching lately!

joboo · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 5:01 pm Post subject:

does REI do long distance rental??? Wink

i'd pay for shipping!!! Shocked

in a perfect world, i'd be able to try before i buy, but with how much i've been working in the last 6 months, (and no REI within 300 miles), i'm lucky to get a day off here and there.

i guess i should be happy hey?? Cool

oh well, keep feeding me info people, and THANKS!!!!

Peace,
Joboo
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msrubble · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 6:11 pm Post subject:

I have a pair of Field n' Forest. That's Mills Fleet Farm's store brand. The shoes are actually made by GV Snowshoes.

They are aluminum men's recreational snowshoes with ratchet buckle. They might not be long enough for deep powder, but are fine for most purposes. I sometimes get a little ice buildup on the heel. And because they're a men's model, I have to be careful not to step on the tail.

If you're looking at a couple different models, read reviews.

orange&blue · Geocacher Joined: 18 Sep 2006 Posts: 14

We've had good luck with these. Have three pair in the family - they're indestructible. You can find them on flea-bay for $35/pair if I remember right. The bindings that come with are pretty lame but they're easy to replace. They're pretty versatile - work well enough in powder but have metal teeth under the bindings for traction.

Basically if you will always be on packed trails, get the metal framed Tubbs or equivalent. If you'll be breaking your own trail or going through deeper snow you'll need something larger. And don't forget poles when the terrain is uneven (in the woods, etc.).

mazzmn · Geocacher Joined: 31 Aug 2008 Posts: 12

I've been pretty happy with reasonably priced Yukon's from Sam's Club believe it or not. Come with adjustable poles which are not as great...the joints tend to come loose at the wrong time.
http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=406678&pCatg=11098

Also lots of parks have snowshoes available for rental
Here are some down by HylandHills
http://www.threeriversparkdistrict.org/trails/trails_snowshoeing.cfm

orange&blue · Geocacher Joined: 18 Sep 2006 Posts: 14

Funny(?) story about the Sam's Club snowshoes. My sister had a pair she used once or twice then she moved to Texas. Last Christmas she traveled up here and we planned to go snowshoeing so she brought hers with (had to check as extra baggage).

We were all set to go out one morning and she realized there's a buckle missing on her bindings - thought a rodent had chewed it off or something. Looks a little closer and sees that all the nylon webbing is disintegrating - falling apart as you touch it!

We tried putting some different bindings on them but it didn't really work.

joboo · Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 8:22 pm Post subject:

Thanks to everyone that replied to my thread!!!!

i got myself a pair of........
Tubbs - Men's Couloir Snowshoes (30's) Cool

i'll be testing them out on a cache that's a near 8 mile round trip through the swamps of northern mn. Shocked

Thanks again!!!!

you can lock this thread if you'd like.

Peace,
Joboo
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NeoAddict · Geocacher Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 188

I made my own Ojibwe style shoes. I don't like the manufactured ones much, I seem to sink too much (amazing considering how tiny I am).

Hopefully they work out for you!

fireman121 · Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 4:19 pm Post subject:

I found a company that makes inexpensivet snowshoes named Bigfoot Snowshoes. I bought the 34 inch one with poles and a bag to store them for 160 bucks. Great way to get into it.
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bflentje · Geocacher Joined: 29 May 2006 Posts: 2266