How to Lace Snowshoes

Snowshoeing is a fun and healthy winter activity. Snowshoeing is also a useful skill to have if you live in an area with harsh winters or are planning to vacation in a snowy climate.

The broad, flat build of snowshoes increases the surface area of your foot, allowing you to tread on top of very deep drifts of snow. The most important part of snowshoeing is lacing your shoes. If the shoes are laced too loosely, you risk losing a shoe, which is bad at the best of times. If you lace your shoes too tightly, you may cut off blood flow to your toes and cause them to freeze.

Things You'll Need

  • Snowshoes
  • Snow boots
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Instructions

    • 1

      Practice putting on your snowshoes indoors. It will be easier to manipulate the laces with warm fingers, especially the first few times. Practice until you have all the movements down to a science, so that if you do lose a shoe outside it won't be a problem.

    • 2

      Put on the socks and shoes you'll be wearing to snowshoe. Thermal socks and sturdy, waterproof snow boots are the best choices. Stiff outer materials on your snow boots will help prevent over-tightening laces and causing frostbite. Make sure your socks and boots are arranged comfortably.

    • 3

      Set your foot on the snowshoe so that your toes are just in front of the small slit above the crossbar. Settle your heal just behind the crossbar. Clip the straps together over your toe, first, and tighten. Make sure the strap is as tight as you can get it. The strap will loosen as you walk; you want to lessen any chances of losing a shoe.

    • 4

      Clip the straps together that go around your ankle. Tighten them as much as you can without cutting off your circulation. Lift your foot and flex your ankle; you should be able to move it normally. If not, loosen the ankle straps and move them lower before re-tightening.