Snowshoeing is a great way to explore the hills and mountains when the landscape is blanketed in a layer of snow. It’s a pursuit that sits between hiking and skiing and allows outdoors fans to stay active in the winter.

While snowshoeing looks straightforward enough, when you first get started there are few things that are helpful to know.

Here’s what I wished I had known before I went snowshoeing.

1. You need the right snowshoes

When looking for the best snowshoes it’s important to know that there are multiple types, and while they all have the same aim to allow you to walk on snow, they should be chosen carefully.

I was fortunate to have a pair of lightweight MSR snowshoes but when my partner wanted to try my snowshoes because he felt his were too heavy, it turned out they were not the right size for him.

You see, snowshoes should be chosen according to your overall weight and also your shoe size. My MSR snowshoes are actually for women and while they were ideal for my size and weight, they were not great for my partner and did not provide enough float.

• How to choose snowshoes: Everything you need to know

2. Float is a technical term worth knowing

Float is what stops you from sinking into the snow. You want the snowshoes to have a large enough surface area to keep you “floating” on the surface of the snow but not so large and heavy that they make walking hard work.

I found that my snowshoes, made for my weight, provided the right float but they were not suited to my partner. There are some snowshoes, as I discovered later, that can be adjusted to provide a different float according to the conditions and the weight of the user.

3. Check your shoe size

I have large feet. They are the same size as an average man’s foot so I had to set up the women’s snowshoes to the largest shoe size. They just fit my boots and no more. Before investing in a pair of snowshoes, it's important to check they are going to fit your boots.

You want the straps to fit around your boots and keep your footwear snug; not loose nor too tight.

4. Wear boots not shoes

When I first got the snowshoes I took them for a walk on local trails. I thought they would work perfectly well if I wore my trail running shoes. This was a very bad idea indeed. My feet ended up wet from melted snow and also cold due to the wet.

Ideally, you want to wear winter hiking boots with snowshoes because while you will be walking on top of the snow, you will inevitably still end up with a lot of snow and wet on top of the snowshoes and your boots.

5. Add gaiters

I wished I’d thought to add hiking gaiters to my shins and ankles when snowshoeing. Even when wearing winter hiking boots, I still ended up with snow inside my boots, while gaiters would have added better protection.

6. Snowshoes are spiky

I was quite taken aback by how sharp the base of the snowshoes are. The edges are serrated for traction and they should be touched with caution.

You should be careful when packing and carrying the snowshoes in case you catch your skin with the base.

7. I ripped my over-pants

Not only did I realise I should have worn gaiters for snowshoeing but I also found the snowshoes snagged the hems of my waterproof over-pants. I found I needed to walk with my feet spaced a bit further apart than normal to stop the base catching on the pants. This annoying and quite costly as I had to repair the hem of my pants.

8. Snowshoeing is actually quite hard work

In my mind, before going snowshoeing, I pictured myself easily walking on the snow’s surface. It is certainly easier to walk on deep snow in snowshoes when compared to hiking but snowshoeing is still quite hard work.

Yes, the snowshoes provide flotation, but with each step I found I still sunk into the snow a bit. If you are at the front of a group, or on your own, you will need to break the trail and if the snow is light and fluffy it can be hard work.

With each step, you need to lift your leg up higher than you would if walking on a snow-free trail and I found my calves, thighs muscles and hip flexors became quite fatigued.

The snowshoes add weight to your legs as well. Some snowshoes are lighter than others but even so, it’s an extra item of kit that your body needs to move over the ground.

Snowshoeing is aided by the use of cross country ski poles, or similar, but these also require your body to be more physical than simply walking. The poles help with balance and momentum and that means you need to use upper body muscles.

If you were to try to walk in deep snow without snowshoes this would also prove very hard work but snowshoeing is also a fairly physical activity.

• Running in snowshoes: Is it possible? And how do you do it?

9. You'll get a bit sweaty

While snowshoeing takes place in winter, and temperatures can be low, you will still end up working up a sweat because it can be physically demanding. If you plan to walk up hills and mountains and tackle a range of terrain, you will quickly get warm and I found I ended up sweaty. In fact, I was surprised by how much I sweated even on a very chilly day.

But then, when I stopped to enjoy a view or for a bite to eat, my body temperature dropped quickly. Sweat can make your base layers damp and that always leaves me cold.

So, it’s a good idea to make sure you have all the right kit for snowshoeing. The best plan is for a combination of winter hiking and skiing gear.

10. Snowshoes work well on ice

I was surprised by how good the traction of snowshoes is on icy hills. I knew the snowshoes would hold well in snow, but not on ice.

It felt like I had four-wheel drive on most of the snowy terrain, whether it was powder snow or ice.

11. Be prepared to carry your snowshoes

I discovered that snowshoes are best suited to terrain covered in a thick layer of snow. Where the snow is thin or there are rocks and grass, it’s better to remove the snowshoes and carry them.

The best way to carry snowshoes is on the outside of a backpack, so you should make sure your backpack has a way to tie on the snowshoes.

12. Build it up

If snowshoeing is a new activity you should build up your distance and aspirations carefully. Setting out for a long hike when you are not physically ready will leave your exhausted. I was surprised by just how tiring it is to walk in snowshoes.

It's better to enjoy a shorter and sweeter snowshoeing adventure than to set out to do far more than your body is used to.

Atlas Helium-BC: first impressions

When Atlas launched its Helium series, the goal was to create snowshoes with lightweight traction and serious grip for big terrain and extreme conditions. The Atlas Helium-BC is the lightest snowshoe of the Helium series, and it achieves traction in innovative ways, including through louvers shaped into its flexible, durable plastic decking.

The cutouts grip in soft snow, while toothy aluminum rails along the underside of the deck and a tempered steel claw with side tangs bite into ice and hardpack.

Some snowshoe bindings and crampons are hard to pack because they don’t nest well. Because these snowshoes have bindings that lay flat when not in use, these were the easiest of all the snowshoes I tested to strap to a hiking backpack when they’re not needed, making them a great choice for snowboarders.

Because the binding toe cutout has an exaggerated opening, the Helium-BC is also ideal for expeditions requiring mountaineering boots. The Voile-style urethane strap bindings are infinitely adjustable and field-replaceable. And, because Atlas designed these for big adventures, they have a 19° heel lift to reduce the toll on your calves on steep ups.

Atlas Helium-BC: in the snow

For big winter backpacking adventures, including winter camping in New York’s Adirondacks, I want a shoe with a lot of float and a lot of traction. But walking trails to get to the snowline can sometimes be a mission of its own. So I appreciate a snowshoe that’s easy to carry, too.

Atlas’ Helium-BC checks all the boxes. These snowshoes bit into all types of snow, from packed to fluffy, thanks to cutouts in the deck, aluminum rails and underfoot claws. They also flexed appropriately to help me navigate the terrain with stability and a fluid stride. 

The heel lifter was easy to operate with and without gloves. I liked that it has a flat bar where my heel hits it, not a round one. It’s a small detail that made these shoes extra comfortable. So was the hard plastic underfoot plate that gave my boot extra stability and support. The flexible binding wrapped my foot well. It has enough stiffness to be supportive, and enough pliability that it conformed to my foot regardless of the boots I was wearing. 

This is a snowshoe I reach for when wearing big boots. The binding’s pull-to-tighten compression straps work best when snug. With a soft mukluk on, the straps feel tight on my foot. I love the simplicity of the two strap bindings: one that wraps around the heel from the midfoot, and one that zigzags from the toe to the midfoot. 

An open buckle on one side of the midfoot makes them super-quick to remove. But it sometimes took me a minute of wrangling straps to get them to lay flat and to slip into the strap end holders so they didn’t slap around. 

Once they were on, these snowshoes were great. But don’t overload them. They can support loads up to 160lb / 72.5kg (small) and 220lb / 100kg (large). If you weigh more than that with your gear, opt for a different model.

• How Advnture tests products

Atlas Range-MTN snowshoes: first impressions

Built for grip in extreme snow and ice, the Atlas Range-MTN snowshoe has a full-aluminum frame with serrated edges and an aggressive jaw-like carbon steel crampon under the toe for tenacious hold in dicey conditions. And that’s one of the main reasons it secured a place in our best snowshoes buying guide.

The binding, which is mounted to the shoe’s snow-shedding, ultra-durable Nytex decking, is one of the most secure, pressure-point-free, foot-wrapping retainers on any snowshoe we tested. It uses a twist-to-tighten Boa lacing system to perfectly form the snowshoe binding to your foot. The lacing and the binding’s flexible material make this one of the most secure-fitting and comfortable snowshoes available.

Atlas Range-MTN snowshoes: in the snow

Even before I put on Atlas’ “go anywhere, do anything” snowshoe, I had confidence in its abilities. Made from flat stock aluminum with ice and hardpack snow-gripping teeth lasered into most of its perimeter, it felt like whatever part of my foot was touching the terrain – from frozen rivers to icy log crossings – I wasn't going to slip or slide. 

The shoe doesn’t flex as much as some other snowshoes, which gives it best-in-class traction in soft snow, and confidence-inspiring purchase hiking in more technical terrain. It is stiff and responsive, and well able to carry heavy loads. While the body of the shoe feels fairly rigid while you’re walking, the heel flexes so my stride didn’t feel awkward.

When I’m heading out for all-day adventures, I love this shoe because I know it will be comfortable ridgeline after ridgeline. Boa lacing lets me micro-adjust the binding to perfection. Both the toe and heel straps are one-hand adjustable. This snowshoe has an edge when it came to floatation too. Its nylon plastic decking attaches inside the frame, which made the Altas Range-MTN sleek.

• How Advnture tests products

TSL Symbioz Hyperflex Instinct: first impressions

These hourglass-shaped TSL Symbioz Hyperflex Instinct snowshoes use plastic frames with springy carbon reinforcements. The frames also have serrated edges, and each of the packed-powder-gripping tabs is individually flexible.

The traction is increased even further thanks to a stainless steel underfoot claw on each shoe, plus eight individual shark fin tangs that function like crampons underfoot along the bottom. The claws are reinforced with soft-snow-grabbing crossbars and other cutouts in the base of the snowshoe for traction from any angle in all conditions. There’s some serious grip going on here whether your ascending or descending.

TSL Symbioz Hyperflex Instinct: in the snow

The TSL Symbioz Hyperflex Instinct is one of the easiest snowshoes to walk in. Because they have a flexible edge, these shoes bend in all directions, making for a natural-feeling stride. And the hourglass shape makes it less likely I’ll trip on my tails. 

Tromping along the edge of a lake I was able to sidehill cross frozen waterfalls without sliding and falling. And on a hike where the trail conditions were constantly changing, I never worried if I’d slip and slide wearing these snowshoes.

The carbon stringers give these shoes pop with every step. They also reduce vibration when walking long distances on hardpack. And I love the binding. The BOA-tightened Symbioz Hyperflex Instinct binding has a plate that runs the length of your foot with a heel lifter incorporated into the binding plate that you can deploy with a trekking pole. 

Because my foot was strapped to a binding plate, not held by individual straps, it was more comfortable to wear for longer treks. A lock on the binding let me set it and forget it – I could put them on lightning-fast, and I rarely needed to stop and fine-tune my bindings while out snowshoeing.

Between hikes, I stored these shoes in the included bag, which kept snow out of my car and made them easy to grab for the next outing.

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MSR Evo Trail: first impressions

The adaptable and rugged MSR Evo Trail snowshoes have a steel body hidden under polypropylene decking, with in-molded traction bars, steel rails and a steel claw for excellent grip on a variety of surfaces.

The shoes use a pull-to-tighten/pull-to-release binding, with a stretch mesh toe to keep your feet free of pressure points, and is compatible with nearly any footwear you’d want to wear for snowshoeing. The free-pivoting binding has a stiff underfoot plate that we found to be supportive and efficient. Slide your boot into the binding and low-profile plastic spikes to grip the sole and hold it firmly in place. 

MSR Evo Trail: in the snow

One of the MSR Evo Trail’s most distinguishing features is that the shoe can be made larger for better float by adding modular tails that increase their surface area. Use the tail extenders when you’re carrying a heavy hiking backpack, then take the tails off again for quick day trips when your load is light.

I loved the MSR Evos for their simplicity, durability and ease of use. I never had to take my gloves off to fine-tune the binding straps. These shoes, which don’t have a heel lifter, excelled in moderate terrain. When it was uneven, they flexed enough to grip all surfaces.

I wore MSR's Evos with lightly insulated winter boots and with -40°F rated Muck Boots. They fit seamlessly with both and the bindings are also snowboard boot-compatible. The MSR Evos pack reasonably flat for descents.

• How Advnture tests products

Cascade Mountain Tech Explorer Plus Series Kit: first impressions

There are few snowshoes more competitively priced than the Cascade Mountain Tech Explorer Plus Series Kit. Buy the kit, and not only do you get some of the best snowshoes, but you also get trekking poles and a carry bag for a fraction of the cost of most other snowshoes.

The Explorer Plus has an anodized tubular aluminum frame with tapered tails that make walking easier. The frame is strong with a durable no-frills binding that attaches your boot to the snowshoe with two ratcheting straps. Snow-shedding plastic decking riveted around the Explorer Plus's frame provides float. 

When walking, an articulated toe band snaps the binding and your foot back to neutral with every step while an aggressive claw underfoot grips 360°, and a heel cleat provides extra traction.

Cascade Mountain Tech Explorer Plus Series Kit: in the snow

In the field, these snowshoes were a workhorse. It was easy to get them on, and my boots never worked loose in the binding. I preferred to wear them with boots that were structured not soft to spread the pressure of the straps. 

Whether I was on a backyard ramble or hiking up to a viewpoint, they had good purchase in both icy and powdery conditions, and in all conditions in between. They weren’t the quietest shoes, but they weren’t obnoxiously loud either. And while they're on the heavy side, the weight wasn’t an issue for day trips. 

Cascade Mountain specs these snowshoes with aluminum cleats underfoot. They’re great for most conditions, but after scrambling up numerous Northeastern summits, they showed some wear.

Articulated tails kept me from getting tripped up when walking. So did the twist lock poles that came with the kit. The poles have both snow baskets and trekking baskets, so I used them for hiking as well as snowshoeing. The poles and shoes packed into a handy carry bag perfect for storing the shoes and poles in the car between adventures or for storing them at home.

• How Advnture tests products

Tubbs Flex ALP: first impressions

These Tubbs Flex ALP snowshoes boast some seriously aggressive traction. This comes courtesy of an underfoot claw with imposing carbon steel tangs, steel side rails, ice spikes in the tail and cutouts in the plastic decking – all of which combines to provide a powerful grip even in the most contoured terrain.

The intuitive binding is pull-to-release and made from Voile-style straps with excellent adjustability regardless of what footwear you choose for your excursion. 

The tails flex to reduce impact on your joints as you walk, reducing fatigue. A rotating toe cord lets the tail of the Flex ALP drop when you’re walking, shedding snow and, according to Tubbs, reducing cardio-respiratory strain by 7%.

Tubbs Flex ALP: in the snow

The Tubbs Flex ALP is a monster in uneven terrain, and when you’re sidehilling. The shoe articulates around rocks, roots, lumps and bumps, so even when the ground isn’t even, your walking will feel like it is. This is snowshoeing in style.

Tubbs have engineered flex into the aptly named “Torsion Deck”, then limited flexion with parallel steel breadknife-like rails under the deck for bite on icy surfaces. Not only do the rails control the snowshoe flex, but they kept me from sliding in the steeps. The traction rails have backup in the form of tail studs, which are extremely effective on steep descents. Deck cutouts also helped with traction in compatible snow.

I also love the binding. When I wanted to take the Flex ALPs off to dip into a hut for hot cocoa, or at the end of the day, a glove-friendly TPU cinch strap pulls to release them fast. It holds my foot firmly but without crushing my hiking boots, and is as quick to get on as it is to get off.

A 19° heel lift saved my calves on a multi-day adventure. Tubbs claims it also reduces Achilles strain.

• How Advnture tests products

Dion Model 121 snowshoes: first impressions

Handcrafted in Vermont, Dion Model 121 snowshoes (available direct from Dion and NeviTrek) are for the discerning snowshoer who’s feeling the need for speed.

The aircraft-grade aluminum frames are powder-coated for durability with sleeve-joined tubing, which makes them strong and streamlined. Heel cleats are Teflon hard-coated to keep ice and snow from sticking. Interlocking decking at the top and tail is reinforced with polyurethane scrape plates and double riveted for durability.

With the Dion Model 121s, you choose your binding and cleat, or buy them with no binding if you plan to bolt winter running shoes directly to the decks. If you’re a snowshoer who wants to be able to swap bindings, Dion’s 121 is designed for easy changes. Bindings attach with a flathead bolt.

Dion Model 121 snowshoes: in the snow

When I’m moving fast, whether racing or doing hot laps on the nearest snow-covered peak, I don’t want to be weighed down. Dion’s 121 snowshoes are robust enough to take a pounding, and light enough to help me hold race pace. Neoprene springs on the hinge point help the decking snap back without a lag.

I tested these shoes with Dion’s stainless steel ice cleat. It’s the heaviest of the brand’s binding options, but more durable, and it gave me superb traction. The cleat has teeth in all the right places: aggressive medium-height spikes at the toe, with smaller teeth under the ball of the foot, and two claws in the midfoot. The heel has a four-tooth claw, which makes wearing these on speedy day trips secure and confidence-inspiring.

I tested Dion’s 121 with the easy-fit regular binding, which fits up to a size 12 running shoe. If you’ll wear this snowshoe with bulky winter hiking boots or you have big feet, opt for the easy-fit large binding. For any snowshoer who wants to get in and out of your shoes with max speed, opt for Dion’s velcro strap quick-fit binding, which comes in small and large.

• How Advnture tests products

Crescent Moon Luna: first impressions

The Crescent Moon Lunas look very different from the other entries in our best snowshoes buying guide. Made from EVA foam with in-molded cleats, the bottom of the Crescent Moon Luna looks like an exaggerated hiking boot sole with spots to screw in metal traction bolts.

The foam compresses as you stride, which Crescent Moon say adds spring to your step. The foam also creates a thermal barrier between your hiking boots and the cold ground. 

The Luna has a pre-shaped rocker to roll your foot into its next step without getting bogged down by snow. The tail also has some rocker to keep it from getting caught. 

The Luna uses a simple hook and loop binding to attach your foot to the snowshoe. It has enough adjustability to fit most size feet with low-profile to moderate-profile boots. 

The Luna is recyclable through athletic shoe recycling programs, which typically gather sneakers and other EVA foam footwear for recycling. Screw in optional cleats if you’ll be walking on ice with these snowshoes, While they have good grip in soft snow, in hardpack and ice, they’ll need cleats for grip. 

Crescent Moon Luna: in the snow

The Crocs of the snowshoe world, the cleated foam Luna is surprisingly comfortable to walk in, and it has good traction in non-technical terrain. Though the snowshoes look low-tech, user-friendly velcro-close toe and heel strap bindings proved effective and stayed secure in the intended terrain. 

As Crescent Moon claim, the foam deck feels energetic while you’re walking, and I found it provides some insulation between my foot and the ground (see also: how to keep your feet warm in winter). There are no moving parts, so there’s no clacking as you walk. But the shoes did kick snow up the back of my legs.

The Luna uses Crescent Moon’s recently redesigned footbeds. It balanced my foot in the snowshoe, which Crescent Moon say reduces the pressure on the heel strap and allows your foot to rotate more comfortably.

Walking in these shoes feels a lot like walking in a pair of rocker-sole sneakers. It is easy and comfortable, despite their exaggerated shape. And the perfect tool for the job for rec path rambles and meadow meanders.

• How Advnture tests products

When snow blankets the landscape, the best snowshoes let you walk and hike through the winter landscape without sinking. Snowshoeing, as it’s called, means you can negotiate powder, ice and frozen terrain efficiently because they keep you floating on top of the snow and prevent you from sinking in. Most snowshoes have moderate to aggressive traction, which can also prevent you from slipping. Basically, they help make winter excursions on foot safe and fun. If you’re new to the activity, there’s more useful advice in our snowshoeing for beginners article.

Historians believe that snowshoes originated somewhere in Central Asia 4,000-6,000 years ago. Traditional snowshoes still made by Native Americans are fashioned from a bent piece of ash laced with rawhide with a leather binding. Modern snowshoes are plastic, metal or foam, and most have an adjustable, ergonomic binding. Instead of relying on rawhide laces to provide traction, modern snowshoes use knife-like aluminum or carbon steel claws for bite, as well as cutouts in the decking.

While all snowshoes provide float, the more you weigh, the more surface area you’ll need to keep you from sinking into the snow. Calculate the size of snowshoe you’ll need based on the manufacturer's weight ratings, and your total weight including the gear you’ll carry while snowshoeing. Women may want to consider gender-specific snowshoes, which are typically narrower to correspond to the average female stride. Some people even like running in snowshoes, but you’ll need specialist running snowshoes if you want to take that seriously. There’s more advice on how to choose snowshoes at the bottom of this article.

If you’re walking on a trail and you’re sinking in at all, do everyone a favor by putting on your snowshoes. Postholing (when your feet and legs sink into the snow) is not only exhausting for you, it also ruins the trails for other users. The beauty of snowshoes is that they’re easy to carry when you don't need them on your feet. Most snowshoes nest together and can easily strap onto the best hiking backpacks.

The best snowshoes

The best snowshoes all-round

Tubbs combine all of their best snowshoe technology in the Flex Alp. Aggressive traction – which in this shoe comes from an underfoot claw with imposing carbon steel tangs – steel side rails, ice spikes in the tail and cutouts in the plastic decking gave it grip in the most contoured terrain. 

The intuitive binding is pull-to-release and made from Voile-style straps with excellent adjustability regardless of what footwear you choose for your excursion. The tails flex to reduce impact on your joints as you walk, reducing fatigue. A rotating toe cord lets the tail of the Flex Alp drop when you’re walking, shedding snow and, according to Tubbs, reducing cardio-respiratory strain by 7%.

Read our full Tubbs Flex ALP review

One snowshoe that can do most things, MSR’s Evo Trail has a steel body hidden under polypropylene decking, with in-molded traction bars, steel rails and a steel claw for excellent grip on a variety of surfaces. 

The shoes use a pull-to-tighten/pull-to-release binding with a stretch mesh toe to keep your feet free of pressure points. The free-pivoting binding has a stiff underfoot plate that was supportive and efficient. Slide your boot into the binding and low-profile plastic spikes to grip the sole to hold it firmly in place. 

One of the MSR Evo Trail’s most distinguishing features is the shoes can be made larger for better float by adding modular tails that increase their surface area. Use the tail extenders when you’re carrying a heavy pack, then take the tails off again for quick day trips when your load is light. 

Read our full MSR Evo Trail review

The best performance snowshoes

Built for grip in extreme snow and ice, this “go anywhere, do anything” snowshoe has a full-aluminum frame with serrated edges and an aggressive jaw-like carbon steel crampon under the toe for tenacious hold in dicey conditions.

The binding, which is mounted on the shoe’s snow-shedding, ultra-durable Nytex decking, is one of the most secure, pressure-point-free, foot-wrapping retainers on any snowshoe. It uses a twist-to-tighten BOA lacing system to perfectly form the snowshoe binding to your foot. The lacing and the binding’s flexible material make this one of the most secure-fitting and comfortable snowshoes available.

Read our full Atlas Range-MTN Snowshoes review

Technical snowshoes made in France for mixed, moderate, and advanced terrain, TSL’s Simbioz Hyperflex Instinct has creative and effective design innovations that give it confidence-inspiring grip on descents as well as on climbs. 

These hourglass-shaped shoes use a plastic frame with springy carbon reinforcements. They’ve been serrated along the edges into packed powder-gripping tabs that are also individually flexible. TSL back up this edge traction with a stainless steel underfoot claw plus eight individual shark-fin tangs that function like crampons underfoot along the bottom of the snowshoe. The claws are reinforced with soft-snow-grabbing crossbars and other cutouts in the base of the snowshoe for traction from any angle in all conditions.

Read our full TSL Symbioz Hyperflex Instinct review

Best snowshoes for racing and running

Made for racing and fast-and-light strolling, these fully-customizable, made-in-the-USA snowshoes are light and efficient. You choose your binding and cleat, or buy them with no binding if you plan to bolt running shoes directly to the decks. 

If you’re a snowshoer who wants to be able to swap bindings, Dion’s Model 121 is designed for easy changes. Bindings attach with a flathead bolt. 

Handcrafted in Vermont, Dion’s snowshoes are for the discerning snowshoer. The aircraft-grade aluminum frames are powder-coated for durability with sleeve-joined tubing, which makes them strong and streamlined. Heel cleats are Teflon hard-coated to keep ice and snow from sticking. Interlocking decking at the top and tail is reinforced with polyurethane scrape plates and double riveted for durability.

Read our full Dion Model 121 review

Best snowshoes for big trips and expeditions

When Atlas built its Helium series, the goal was lightweight traction and serious grip for big terrain and extreme conditions. The Helium-BC is the lightest snowshoe of the Helium series, and it achieves traction in innovative ways, including through louvers shaped into its flexible, durable plastic decking. 

The cutouts grip in soft snow, while toothy aluminum rails along the underside of the deck and a tempered steel claw with side tangs bite into ice and hardpack. Some snowshoe bindings and crampons are hard to pack because they don’t nest well. Because these snowshoes have bindings that lay flat when not in use, they were the easiest to strap to a pack when they’re not needed, making them a great choice for snowboarders. 

Because the binding toe cutout has an exaggerated opening, the Helium-BC is also ideal for expeditions requiring mountaineering boots. The Voile-style urethane strap bindings are infinitely adjustable and field-replaceable. And, because Atlas designed these for big adventures, they have a 19° heel lift to reduce the toll on your calves on steep ups.

Read our full Atlas Helium-BC review

Best budget snowshoes

There are few snowshoes more competitively priced than Cascade Mountain Tech’s Explorer Plus kit. Buy the kit, and not only do you get a great pair of snowshoes, but you also get poles and a carry bag for a fraction of the cost of most other snowshoes. 

The Explorer Plus has an anodized tubular aluminum frame with tapered tails that make walking easier. The frame is strong with a durable no-frills binding that attaches your boot to the snowshoe with two ratcheting straps. Snow-shedding plastic decking riveted around the Explorer Plus’s frame provides float. When walking, an articulated toe band snaps the binding and your foot back to neutral with every step while an aggressive claw underfoot grips 360° and a heel cleat provides extra traction.

Read our full Cascade Mountain Tech Explorer Plus Series Kit review

Best snowshoes for beginners

If you’re new to snowshoeing and don't plan to venture far, this shoe is a great choice. Made from EVA foam with in-molded cleats, the bottom of Crescent Moon’s Luna looks like an exaggerated hiking boot sole with spots to screw in metal traction bolts. 

The foam compresses as you stride, which Crescent Moon says adds spring to your step. The foam also creates a thermal barrier between your boot and the cold ground. The shoe has pre-shaped rocker to roll your foot into its next step without getting bogged down by snow. The tail also has some rocker to keep it from getting caught. 

The Luna uses a simple hook and loop binding to attach foot to snowshoe. It has enough adjustability to fit most size feet with low-profile to moderate-profile boots. The Luna is recyclable through athletic shoe recycling programs, which typically gather sneakers and other EVA foam footwear for recycling. 

Screw in optional cleats if you’ll be walking on ice with these snowshoes; while they have good grip in soft snow, in hardpack and ice, they need cleats for grip.

Read our full Crescent Moon Luna review

Comparison table

How we tested the best snowshoes

All of the snowshoes featured in this guide have been trail tested on the icy tracks and hills of North America by our expert reviewer. Their performance has been assessed against a range of criteria, including comfort, functionality, traction, ease of use, weight and price. 

For more details, see how Advnture tests products.

What to look for when buying snowshoes

The best snowshoe for you is the one that suits the terrain you do the most winter walking on. If snowy, rolling meadows beckon, you’ll be happier with a shoe with less traction and more float. If you’re scrambling around snowy woods off-trail and topping out on wind-blown summits, you’ll want a snowshoe with robust crampons underfoot. Just like with trail running shoes, too much traction can feel uncomfortable underfoot when you’re in smoother terrain. There are, however, several other factors to consider.

Size

Choose your snowshoe size based on your trail weight. If you’ll mostly be snowshoeing with a light pack or without gear, buying based on your bodyweight is close enough. If you’re going to be wearing snowshoes for winter camping, for hunting or to backpack into a backcountry cabin carrying sleeping gear and provisions, purchase a snowshoe sized to carry that weight too. If you’re traveling fast and light or you’re snowshoe racing, a smaller pair of snowshoes made for packed powder will better mate with sneakers or other minimalist winter footwear. 

Comfort

If possible, try before you buy, which will help you feel the differences between bindings. Try snowshoes on with the footwear you plan to use when snowshoeing, and you’ll know which pair of snowshoes feels best on your feet. Feel the flex each pair offers.

Materials

If your snowshoeing involves a lot of walking on wind-blown, rocky summits, consider steel crampons, which stay sharp longer. Aluminum crampons are lighter than steel but will get worn down by non-snow surfaces. 

Practicalities

If you’ll be doing a lot of backcountry miles on your snowshoes, and you’ll often be far from home, think about whether the shoes you’re considering are repairable in the field. 

Heel lifters

A heel lifter is a must for peak baggers and any snowshoers planning to climb steep, extended pitches.

Extras

Trekking poles can also be helpful when snowshoeing. If you don’t already own them, consider a kit that includes polls.

What to do with your old snowshoes

If you're replacing a pair of snowshoes, consider donating your old ones to an outdoor gear exchange if they're still in reasonable condition, so they can be used by a person who may not be able to afford new ones. Gear exchanges are usually small operations run by a handful of volunteers, so search online for one in your area.

If your snowshoes are worn down, try contacting the manufacturer to see if they have a recycling program. For example, Crescent Moon has a Take Me Back program that will accept the company's own branded snowshoes, disassemble them, and recycle the frames, rivets, claws, and bindings.

Is snowshoeing hard? There’s something about trekking through deep snow in strap-on yeti shoes that makes it seem mellow compared to other winter sports. Maybe it’s because you grew up seeing those tennis racket-style snowshoes adorning the walls of ski lodges, and you subconsciously associate it with hanging out and drinking hot chocolate. Or perhaps it’s the pastoral imagery of wholesome-looking folks tramping across the Vermont landscape that makes you think, “snowshoeing is for old people”. Certainly it lacks the technical gear and momentum of sports like skiing and snowboarding and if you’re a bit of an adrenaline junkie, you could easily have overlooked snowshoeing as a viable option for snow season. But make no mistake, snowshoeing is probably not as easy as you think.

Is snowshoeing hard?

Assuming that you mean, “does snowshoeing involve a lot of physical exertion?” and not, “does snowshoeing require a great deal of skill and expertise?” then yes, snowshoeing is definitely hard. In fact, if until now, your experience of winter sports has involved riding a chairlift then zooming downhill, you might be astounded by how difficult snowshoeing really is, especially in a high alpine area where steep terrain is the norm. Don’t believe us? Read on to see how it compares to other activities like hiking and skiing.

Snowshoeing vs hiking

The easiest way to understand how snowshoeing can be so demanding is to compare it to hiking. When you’re hiking, you can walk with a normal gait on the flat stuff and on steeper inclines, you rely on your leg muscles like your quads and glutes a bit more to push down with each step. You could use trekking poles and get your arms involved to make climbing easier. A sturdy pair of hiking boots can definitely add a pound or two to the weight of your feet (1.5lb per boot if you’re wearing a pair of Keen Karraig’s) but many are lightweight these days and the shape of your boots or hiking shoes don’t affect your gait. Now no one is saying that hiking is easy, just that it’s a fairly natural thing to do, made difficult by the incline of the hill you're on and the distance you go.

Now imagine that you’re hiking in deep snow, wearing snowshoes. Yes, the snowshoes provide flotation, but with each step you still sink into the snow a little (especially if yours are slightly too light or small for your body weight). Particularly if you’re breaking trail, even though you’re packing down the snow with each step, what lies ahead of you is untouched – so each time you want to take a step forward, you need to lift your knee up quite a bit higher than you would when you’re hiking in order to clear what’s in front of you. That means your hip flexor muscles need to work quite a bit harder than they normally do even on a hike. Plus even a lightweight pair of snowshoes adds about 2lb to each foot, and remember that’s in addition to your actual shoes, so you’re moving heavier legs.

You've also got to factor in the instability of the snow compared to solid ground. When you place your foot in front of you and lean your weight into it, it shifts a little in the snow, so the smaller muscles in your lower leg, ankle and foot have to work harder than usual to stabilise your knee and ankle, which is why you’ll often have sore ankles after snowshoeing when you wouldn’t after hiking. Then you’ve got the shape of your snowshoes – because a typical pair of snowshoes adds, at minimum, a couple of inches of width to your foot, you may have to change your gait a little to make sure your snowshoes aren’t bashing into each other as you walk. Add a steep hill to all this and you’ll be huffing and puffing before you know it. Even on flat terrain, snowshoeing is hard.

One place, however, where snowshoeing is a bit easier than hiking is on the downhill. Hiking downhill requires your quadriceps to do a lot of eccentric contraction to essentially act as brakes to slow you down. The result is tiring, especially on a prolonged, steep descent. When you’re snowshoeing in deep powder, the terrain provides a really soft landing while the crampons on your snowshoes dig in to act as brakes, so you can actually let momentum take over a little and move downhill in quite an easy fashion, like you’re sliding through the snow. It’s really fun.

Snowshoeing vs skiing

Compared to uphill skiing, snowshoeing provides a similar workout but uses slightly different muscles. Skinning uphill uses a lot of hip flexors and is really hard work, but of course you can just slide each foot uphill rather than lifting your leg each time, which helps compensate for the added weight of boots, bindings and skis. Snowshoeing up the same hill means more quad action. But on the downhill, if you know how to ski, it’s easier and faster to ski down than to snowshoe back down.

When it comes to skill and equipment, however, snowshoeing is easy, making it great for beginners. Even though you walk differently when you’re snowshoeing, you’re still walking, so the learning curve is more of a straight line, and most snowshoes are pretty easy to figure out – they come labelled as right and left, you pull them on over your shoes or boots and tighten them using simple straps. And of course, there’s no need to figure out how to load and unload a chairlift or how to turn on skis. So, if you’re looking to give your brain a rest and your body a workout, why not try snowshoeing this winter?

• Best hiking boots: for warmth, comfort, and stability

A covering of snow and sub-zero temperatures transform what was a relatively benign upland in summer into a testing arena in winter. The freezing season is when the high places are at their most beautiful and, for many, the pull of exploring the winter mountains is irresistible. However, this is also when they're at their most dangerous, so being equipped properly for your chosen adventures is key.

So, if you’ve been eyeing up any snow covered hiking trails this season, you’re probably considering getting some extra traction underfoot to keep you from slipping and falling. But can you get away with the wide snowshoes favored by winter walkers or do you need to strap on some rugged-looking crampons used by mountaineers? We go the distance on the question of snowshoes vs crampons to help you figure out what kind of traction you need this winter. 

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What's the difference between crampons and snowshoes?

• Snowshoes have a wide base that spreads your way, giving 'flotation' on snowy surfaces
• Crampons are a metal frame armed with grippy spikes that attaches to your winter boot

Crampons and snowshoes are both types of footwear that you put on over your hiking boots to help you walk in wintery conditions, however, they are actually quite distinct in terms of both function and appearance.

Snowshoes have a wide surface area that is quite a bit larger than your bootprint composed of a frame, usually made of aluminium, and webbing made using plastic or a fabric like canvas. The wide design spreads out your weight over a larger area, providing flotation in deep snow. The flotation allows you to walk at a somewhat normal pace, instead of sinking in with each step which slows you down and saps your energy.

In comparison, crampons have a metal frame that is roughly the same size as your bootprint with large, sharp metal spikes which bite into ice to give you traction. Depending on the type of crampon, they might have as many as 12 spikes that are usually between half an inch and two inches long. They’re great for hiking icy and steep terrain. Different types of crampon match different winter hiking boots.

Are crampons good for snow?

• Crampons work best on ice terrain and hard packed snow
• They're used by winter walkers, mountaineers and ice climbers

Crampons really work best on icy terrain and hard packed snow. They are used by mountaineers to stay surefooted on steep icy slopes, as well as for activities such as glacier hiking and, on the other extreme, ice climbing. There are hiking crampons these days that have shorter spikes. They won’t, however, keep you afloat in deep snow, so if you’re looking for something to hike on low angle, snow-covered trails in places like Colorado and Vermont, you’ll definitely want a pair of snowshoes. 

Can you use snowshoes on ice?

• Snowshoes aren't designed for traction and are unsuited to ice
• Some snowshoes come with spikes for icy terrain

Since snowshoes provide flotation, rather than traction, they won’t do a lot to help you walk on a smoother, icy surface, and in fact may be even more burdensome than just doing it in your winter hiking boots. Many snowshoes these days do come with a crampon so you can use them for traction in mixed conditions where there is both snow and ice. However if you’re walking on hard packed snow or ice for a long distance, and on steep slopes, they’ll only slow you down and you’ll do better with the traction of crampons or even Yaktrax or Microspikes.

Remember that snowshoes come in a variety of styles and sizes these days for different types of walking and even running, so be sure to read our article on how to choose snowshoes before you buy.

So, which do I need?

• For deep, powdery snow, snowshoes are preferable
• For hard packed snow and ice, crampons are preferable, particularly for steep ground

As you can see, snowshoes are a flotation device whereas crampons are for traction, and which you need depends on the conditions where you’re going to be exploring. If you’re going to be walking in deep, powdery snow, you’ll want snowshoes to keep you on the surface or you’ll just tire out before you get anywhere. Trekking poles are often used in conjunction with snow shoes, to help you propel yourself along the trails. 

If you’re likely to encounter hard packed snow and ice, wear a good pair of winter hiking boots and put on your crampons when you encounter those conditions, particularly on steep terrain. Crampons are invariably used along with an ice axe, or two if climbing particularly technical terrain.

The good news is that in most places, you’re unlikely to encounter both of these conditions on the same adventure, so it will usually be obvious which one you need.

Snowshoeing may not require the specialized equipment of other winter sports like cross country skiing and snowboarding, but it still takes place in cold, snowy conditions and for maximum fun, you want to make sure you head out equipped with the best protective gear. Your snowshoeing kit should keep you warm on sub zero days, dry in a powder dump and well protected from the glare of the sun.

Snowshoeing is an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise and a great way to enjoy the beauty of winter and stay outdoors once the weather turns cold, but having the right kit makes the difference between experiencing the heart pumping euphoria of crunching through deep snow and feeling cold, miserable and discouraged. We outline a full snowshoeing kit checklist here so you can be sure you’ve got all the essentials and of course, you’ll want to be sure to start with our article on how to choose snowshoes. 

What not to wear snowshoeing 

First stop: what not to wear. As in any winter sports, cotton is the enemy so avoid wearing clothes like jeans and cotton T shirts. You can read more in our article on hiking in jeans to find out why it's such a big no-no. 

Also, if it’s especially cold out you might be tempted to don your warmest down jacket, but this will probably cause you to overheat (snowshoeing is hard work!) and can restrict your movements.

Finally, you might want to avoid wearing ski bibs or overalls for the same reason – you’ll overheat. Now we’ve got that out of the way, let’s take a look at what should be in your snowshoeing kit.

Snowshoeing kit 

1. Footwear 

Despite their name, snowshoes are not shoes; rather, they are a type of wide, flat footwear that you attach to your shoes to keep you from sinking into deep snow. You’ll want to wear a good sturdy pair of waterproof hiking boots or hiking shoes. Make sure you’ve tested your snowshoes on with them before you set off so you know they fasten properly over them, and if you’re wearing shoes, you’ll want to make sure the snowshoe bindings don’t rub your ankles. 

2. Hiking socks 

When it comes to wet conditions and boot rub, a pair of well fitting, cushioned and moisture-wicking hiking socks are worth their weight in gold. Whether you go for a natural material like wool or a synthetic option, you want to make sure they’re breathable and quick drying for both sweat and melted snow. You also want to pick a pair of socks that comes up higher than your boot, either mid calf or knee length, to avoid boot rub. 

3. Hiking pants 

Everyone is different when it comes to dressing for the outdoors, and different weather and climate conditions add further possible variables, however we have a few suggestions when it comes to legwear. 

If you’re hiking in dry conditions, you might be perfectly happy in a regular pair of your best hiking pants or thermal leggings. In damp conditions, you will want to layer a pair of waterproof trousers over these and of course if you already own ski pants, these make great trousers for snowshoeing. 

Insulated pants may be too warm unless you’re heading out in extreme cold conditions, however, so if you choose those, make sure you wear a pair with venting zips on the thighs.

4. Gaiters 

In truth, when it comes to snowshoeing, gaiters will be a personal choice and based on the conditions and what you’re wearing on your legs. Your snowshoes are designed to keep you from sinking in so gaiters aren’t always necessary, and if you’re wearing waterproof boots and ski pants, you won’t need them. However, if you’re wearing hiking shoes and in slushy conditions, you might benefit from a pair of gaiters to protect your ankles and feet from invading damp. 

5. Base layer  

On your upper body, you’ll want to wear a light, breathable base layer. This will almost definitely be long-sleeved unless it’s a warm spring day. Choose something that is breathable since you’ll be working up a sweat no matter the outside temperature, and consider one with a high neck to keep the chill out and a 3/4 zip so you can let a cool draft in when you get warm on your uphill. 

If you think you’ll get very sweaty, pack an extra base layer in your backpack to change into before heading down so you don’t get chilled. 

6. Jacket 

Whatever jacket you bring, you’ll almost definitely take it off for the uphill. If it’s very cold, you might want a light fleece jacket that you keep on over your base layer, but for an outer layer, you’ll want something lightweight, breathable and windproof. If you think you’ll be wearing it on the uphill, go for a softshell jacket with venting zips. More likely is that you’ll pull your jacket on for the descent, in which case you might be able to get away with an insulated jacket such as a light down jacket but only if it’s very cold. 

7. Trekking poles 

Even if you don’t use them for hiking, you’ll definitely want a good pair of trekking poles for snowshoeing. With snowshoes on your feet you’ll be a little less stable to start with. Combine that with uneven snow drifts and you’ll need poles to keep you upright, especially on the downhill. Poles also make you use your arms as well as your legs on steep inclines, and it’s helpful to use your poles to test how deep and stable snow is before you step into it. 

Light, retractable hiking poles that can fit in your backpack when you’re not using them are always best, though your regular ski poles will certainly suffice. 

8. Accessories 

Snowshoeing accessories basically means a pair of the best hiking gloves, hats, skis masks and neck warmers. For gloves, you’ll want a pair with waterproofing and wind resistance, so a light pair of ski gloves will do, just make sure they’re not too heavy on the insulation. Your gloves may well end up in your pack on the uphill, but you’ll likely want them on the way back to the car. Other factors to consider are a pair that offers good dexterity, so you can adjust backpack straps and unscrew water bottles without removing them, and touch screen capacity in case you’re using your phone for navigation.

For cold days, a good beanie is essential, though again, this might come off during the climb. On very warm, sunny spring days, you might want a brimmed hat to keep the sun off your face and a beanie in your backpack just in case. 

If there’s a very low wind chill, it’s possible that you’ll want a ski mask, although be warned that wearing one will make your sunglasses fog up. Better would be to wear a neck gaiter or buff that you can pull up. This can also help to keep the breeze out on a cold day if you’re wearing a crew neck, but you probably won’t need it if you’ve opted for a base layer with a high neck.

9. Sun protection 

It’s easy to forget about sun protection when it’s cold, but some of the worst sunburns happen on bright winter days. UV rays are bright at high altitudes, and when snow reflects the sun's rays, it can increase your UV exposure. Apply sunscreen before you set off to any area that might be exposed (think: hands, wrists, face, ears, neck) and carry it with you in case you’re sweating heavily or out there longer than planned. Reapply sunscreen every two hours. 

You’ll also want a good pair of sunglasses that shield your eyes from the glare, though since snowshoeing is a low impact sport you don’t need to worry about finding a pair that fits snugly the way you do for running. In some very cold conditions, you might just choose to wear your ski goggles instead, which are warmer, but be warned that if you push them up over your head while you hike, they’ll get foggy.

10. Water 

We can forget to drink enough water when it’s cold out as we don’t feel as thirsty, but you will be sweating and breathing hard. To avoid dehydration, carry water and sip regularly. Though a water bottle works fine, it does require you to stop, plant your poles, remove your gloves and unstrap your pack each time which is a bit of a hassle and might mean you skip drinking enough. The best option is to carry a hydration pack that you can sip from while you’re moving. 

11. Backpack 

Obviously, you’ll need somewhere to stash your accessories, so you’ll want to get yourself a decent daypack. Though it shouldn’t be too large, it needs to fit all of your accessories, water and any layers like jackets that might come off. It should also be contoured to fit your body so you can move properly and have sternum and waist straps that you can adjust to shift the weight off your back and onto your lower body. Learn more in our article on how to adjust your backpack. 

Snowshoeing is a bit like having an all-access pass to the backcountry in winter, and it doesn’t require a lot of expensive equipment or expertise. Our guide to snowshoeing for beginners covers the benefits of snowshoeing, how to pick the right snowshoes and some basic techniques for getting started when the trails are covered with the white stuff. 

What is snowshoeing? 

Snowshoeing is simply a means to hike or walk in the snow. If you’ve ever tried hiking through deep snow, you’ll be familiar with ‘post holing’ – the alarming and frustrating vertical plunge your foot takes down into the snow, leaving you struggling to get out. It makes for a pretty miserable hike, but a pair of snowshoes is all you need to have a good time in the snow.

Snowshoes are a type of footwear that you attach to your feet over your hiking boots that feature a wide frame with netting which helps to distribute your weight over a larger area, reducing the pressure applied by your bodyweight, and allowing for ‘flotation’ on the snow. Snowshoes have been used by humans for many centuries, and were essential for fur traders and trappers living in areas with lots of snow. Old school snowshoes rather resembled tennis rackets and it’s hard to think that walking in them wouldn’t have been burdensome at best.  

Today’s snowshoes are designed for sport and are based on those pioneered in the early 1970s for mountaineers. As technology has advanced, snowshoes have become lighter, smaller and more durable. Today’s snowshoes feature an aluminium frame with neoprene netting and usually have a toe crampon that you can dig into the snow on your way uphill to help you climb. 

Who can enjoy snowshoeing?

It's not unfair to say that many winter sports, like skiing and snowboarding, are rather exclusive to able-bodied people with the means to buy or rent gear and afford a lift pass, whereas snowshoeing is a relatively democratic and accessible activity, according to Andreas Threimer, a representative for Tubbs snowshoes which has been making snowshoes since 1906.

"Snowshoeing is for everybody! This is the beauty – anybody can do it. No matter what age, no matter how fit or sporty you are, everybody can experience being outside, being in nature, a group experience or just by yourself – all is possible! The amount of adventure you want to experience is just up to you."

 What are the benefits of snowshoeing? 

Like hiking, snowshoeing is a superb form of low impact physical exercise, giving you a great cardiovascular workout, strengthening your legs and burning calories. It’s a great activity for keeping your hiking season going year-round, so you don’t feel like you’re starting over again each spring, and it makes a good alternative to other snow sports like skiing which require more equipment, training and often the expense of accessing skiable terrain. Snowshoeing is the perfect activity for beginners to snow sports and certainly one of the more affordable options for having fun in winter. 

What gear do you need for snowshoeing? 

Snowshoeing is an affordable sport to get in to, relative to other winter sports, as for clothing you simply need winter layers, and for equipment it's just snow shoes and poles. To make life even easier, we've created a thorough checklist of snowshoeing gear that you can use to get ready for your first snowshoeing adventure.

What is the best snowshoe for beginners? 

When it comes to choosing a pair of snowshoes, the process is a bit more detailed than just knowing your shoes size, according to Pete Petrovski, Senior Manager of Adult Ski School in Beaver Creek, Colorado who oversees Nordic and Snowshoe operations.

"Snowshoes are weight and height dependent, as well as ability. There are racing/trail running options that are lighter weight and allow for more speed, or a more traditional snowshoe for a stroll on the mountain."

The best approach is probably to rent some snowshoes and poles before you buy. This way you can get a feel for whether or not you like snowshoeing, and you can find the style you like best.

You’ll want to find snowshoes suitable for the terrain you plan to trek on – some are made for flat terrain while others are intended for uphill use, and if you’re planning on snowshoeing in deep powder then the wider the better. You’ll also want to check the maximum load of your snowshoes to make sure they can hold up under the weight of you plus your backpack.

Where can you go snowshoeing? 

You can go snowshoeing anywhere with snow, really. You can snowshoe on a flat trail through a forest or up a hill or mountain. Any trail you would hike in the summer, most ski resorts, state parks, national forests and cross country ski trails all offer terrain good for a snowy adventure. 

Is there a technique for snowshoeing?

While, like hiking, snowshoeing does essentially involve putting one foot in front of the other, there is some technique to it. First, Threimer advises not to try too hard:

"Try to walk your natural way. Most likely you will step onto the snowshoes when you first try it. Make sure your feet are slightly wider. Do not lift your feet too much and try to "pull“ the snowshoes."

Further, on the way uphill, you’ll want to lead with your toe to use the crampon – dig it in, plant your poles and up you go. On the way downhill, you’ll want to plant your poles a bit in front of you and lead with your heels. In deep powder, the effect is like weightlessly gliding across the surface and very enjoyable. 

If you’re planning on keeping your hiking season going year-round this winter, there’s no piece of gear you’ll want more than a good pair of snowshoes. Snowshoeing is a bit like having an all-access pass to the backcountry in winter and choosing the right pair of snowshoes can make or break your experience. As it turns out, understanding how to choose snowshoes is more complicated than just knowing your shoe size, so we’re here to break it all down and keep you from sinking into the deep stuff this cold season. 

What are snowshoes? 

Snowshoes are a type of footwear that you attach to your feet over your hiking boots that keep you from ‘postholing’ AKA sinking thigh-deep into the snow when you’re hiking. 

Snowshoes have a wide shape that resembles a tennis racquet and provides flotation to stop you from sinking into the snow. They feature a binding, which fastens your hiking boot to the snowshoe. The binding is really important – you want a secure binding that is easy to get in and out of. Think: pulling one tab to adjust the snowshoe to your foot rather than spending five minutes fumbling around with it in the freezing cold. On the underside of the snowshoe, there’s a crampon to help you dig into the snow, and sometimes a heel lift, depending on the type of terrain you plan to use them for.

• Aluminium-framed snowshoes are more traditional and have a netting that can be made from a variety of materials such as nylon. These are usually lightweight and strong.
• Composite snowshoes, where the frame and flotation area are all made from the same hard material, can be a little noisier to hike in.
• EVA foam snowshoes are a more recent innovation which are super quiet, warm and moveable but don’t provide as much traction and are probably better suited for casual use.

How do you know what size snowshoes to buy? 

The first, and most obvious question is what size of snowshoes you should buy. However, according to Pete Petrovski, Senior Manager of Adult Ski School in Beaver Creek, Colorado who oversees Nordic and Snowshoe operations, it's more complicated than just knowing your shoe size.

"Snowshoes are weight and height dependent, as well as ability. There are racing/trail running options that are lighter weight and allow for more speed, or a more traditional snowshoe for a stroll on the mountain," said Petrovski.

Rather than correlating to shoe sizes, snowshoes are sized by their overall length, usually measured in inches, or they might just come in a standard small/medium/large type measurement. 

Like cross country skis, snowshoes fit more by your body weight rather than foot size, so you’ll want to consider your weight plus any gear you’re likely to be carrying on your adventures. Check the recommended weight capacity for the snowshoe and go with that length. If you’re a little heavier than the recommended weight, it won’t necessarily damage the snowshoe, but you’ll sink farther, which does defeat the purpose a bit.

Another good thing to know is that women’s models are usually about 3/4" narrower than men’s to accommodate for a narrower boot.

Finally, a good rule of thumb is to pick the smallest pair within the range that holds your weight, since that means you'll have less weight to carry on your feet.

What type of terrain will you be snowshoeing on? 

In addition to weight, you’ll want to consider the type of terrain you’ll likely be snowshoeing on: flat, rolling or steep hills. 

Snowshoes meant for flat terrain will have simple bindings that assume your foot won’t easily slide out and only require tightening once at the beginning of your hike. Fixed bindings attach the entire length of your shoe to the snowshoe and are best for flat terrain. Flat terrain snowshoes will also have a simple crampon intended for a modest bite into the snow and no heel lift.

If you’re planning to snowshoe on rolling terrain however, you’ll want a pair that feature a more technical binding that is easy to adjust since you may have to adjust it when you change between uphill and downhill. Rotating, or floating, bindings are better for both rolling and steep terrain as they allow more movement. Rolling terrain snowshoes will feature a more aggressive crampon and a modest heel lift to help boost you up the inclines.

Finally, if you’re heading up a steep slope, you’ll want snowshoes with a highly technical binding that is easily adjustable, an aggressive crampon that bites deeply into the snow to keep you from sliding downhill and a higher heel lift to compensate for the grade beneath your feet.

If you anticipate snowshoeing on varied terrain, either pick snowshoes for rolling terrain that you can probably use on flat or steep ground, or pick the style that is best suited for the terrain you’ll be traversing the majority of the time. If you only plan to snowshoe on steep stuff once a winter, you can rent a pair for that occasion. 

What kind of snow will you be snowshoeing on? 

Finally, if you’re getting into winter sports, you may already know that not all snow is created equally. East coast snow is typically heavy, wet and icy for example, whereas high altitude zones like Colorado and Utah are famous for their light, dry powdery snow.

A bit like backcountry skis, the larger the surface area of the snowshoe, the better flotation you’ll have, so if you’re snowshoeing in deep, soft, powdery snow, you’ll want a bigger snowshoe to provide more flotation. If you’re going to be in the heavier, wet stuff or packed down snow, you can go with a smaller, more compact snowshoe. Again, you’ll want to pick the snowshoe that covers the snow you’ll most often be hiking on.

If you’re more likely to be hiking on ice than snow, consider using Yaktrax or Microspikes instead.

Once you’ve picked out the best pair of snowshoes for you, check out our guide to cold weather hiking to make sure you’re dressed appropriately and have all the gear you need for a good time.