Snowshoe Recommendations

[billski]

I'm going to be working at the Thunderbolt race, on top. Can you recommend a pair of snowshoes (or type) that would be best suited for walking about, since I may not be on packed surfaces? I may have to trudge from one area to another short to moderate distances I suspect, but probably will be level. Anyone got a recc. for a pair that is easy to get about on, easy on/off? Prefer not high end, since I do very little snowshoing.

Thanks,

 

[ta&idaho]

My sister has used several different models (she snowmobiles into a yurt in the Idaho mountains most winter weekends), and she swears by the MSR Denali for the sturdiness and modular design (you can swap out for longer tails for deep snow). She did not like models with a narrow tail, as the tail would kick up snow and give you a wet backside if you weren't wearing burly clothes.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

we got LLBean ones a few years ago, have been solid and easy in/out...reasonable price too

 

[Mildcat]

What a coincidence, I almost asked the same thing last night. REI's site has a good primer on it. If it's something you don't think you'll do again you might just want to rent a pair. I believe REI rents them.

 

[riverc0il]

What else are you planning on using the shoes for? I can't imagine things won't be pretty packed down at the Thunderbolt Race, certainly not untracked powder. Something with at least some sort of metal cleat on the bottom for traction will be helpful. Going up a mountain, it could you useful to have a heel raiser bar as well.

MSR, Atlas, and Tubbs are the top three companies out there and all have upper mid-level gear that would fit the bill for under $200. MSR has that modular plastic stuff and mountaineers rave about them more than the other companies. Atlas has a "keep the shoe with you" design in which the shoe kicks back up and stays closer to your heel whereas Tubbs shoes have the opposite intention and the shoe flops down and drags on the snow (this makes it so you don't kick up snow onto your back but is harder to get over blowdowns and stuff). Make sure you get a shoe measured for your weight will all winter gear and a full pack, not your regular weight. If you are unsure, just find the cheapest model you can from one of these companies with a heel raise bar and you should be fine.

 

[thetrailboss]

Maybe the best thing to do is to rent a pair from a local shop for the weekend. I'm sure that the sport shop in Williamstown rents them. A basic pair will work for what you are doing and then you won't have to worry about spending $$$ for something you are not going to use. EMS does rentals as well...

 

[billski]

Maybe the best thing to do is to rent a pair from a local shop for the weekend. I'm sure that the sport shop in Williamstown rents them. A basic pair will work for what you are doing and then you won't have to worry about spending $$$ for something you are not going to use. EMS does rentals as well...

That's the best advice. I am doing start timing and god knows, if things can go wrong, they will. Who knows what romping I'll need to do, maybe nothing. Doubtful everything will be hardpack, esp. if I'm up there before all the racers for setup. Then again, there is no uphill lift, so if I have to go down part, I'll have to go back up. It's not like regular coursework, where you can ski, work, ski to bottom and lift back up. Prolly have to be a jack of all trades too. While there will be snowmachine assists, I can't count on it while the race is runnng. And since the trail crosses the road, well, things will be interesting.
And yeah, I don't need to buy a pair, I never had any interest in shoein'.

thanks all.

 

[riverc0il]

Good call from TrailBoss. I had just assumed if you planned on buying you were going to use them more than once! REI may also do rentals.

 

[hammer]

Good call from TrailBoss. I had just assumed if you planned on buying you were going to use them more than once! REI may also do rentals.

REI in Reading does snowshoe rentals according to the web site.

http://www.rei.com/stores/rentals.html#massachusetts

 

[thetrailboss]

REI is another good suggestion. Places like REI and EMS will rent for the weekend, which will be cheaper than buying something to collect dust. And if you REALLY like them, they usually will give you a discount on a new pair. The shop in Williamstown I am thinking of is on a sidestreet and had some good stuff when I visited this summer. They may rent by the day (assuming that the rent snowshoes at all...a lot of shops like that do).

Best bet though is to get a pair on Friday night from EMS/REI for the weekend.

 

[Glenn]

We picked up two pairs at Ocean State Job Lot last year. I think one was $40 and one was $30? Thunder Bay is the brand I think. For just romping around the woods in VT, they work fine. Plus, they didn't break the bank.

 

[drjeff]

Billski!!!! Look at tramdock!!

http://forums.alpinezone.com/showthread.php?t=72003

A bit pricey, but I have basically this exact pair from a couple of seasons ago, and they're a really good snowshoe!

 

[bigbog]

Any of the metal framed ones mentioned should do fine...