Directions for Tubbs Snowshoe Bindings

Snowshoeing is a great excuse to get outside in the winter months. Snowshoes provide excellent exercise and a means of transport to beautiful winter landscapes that would otherwise remain obscured. Tubbs, a leading name in snowshoes, was founded in Stowe, Vermont. The company offers a variety of products from entry-level aluminum snowshoes to lightweight, composite models. These instructions are based on Active Fit (Flex), 180 and React bindings, though other Tubbs bindings work much the same way.

  1. Preparation

    • Make sure you're wearing appropriate waterproof winter boots. Tie each boot tightly and ensure that it is properly secured to your foot. If needed, double knot the laces as you don't want your laces to come undone causing you to lose your boot and snowshoe in a drift.

      Loosen the snowshoe straps. You should see a heel strap designed to cup around the heel of your boot and a toe strap mechanism. If you can't fit your boot into the heel strap, unclip it and loosen it. Tubbs snowshoes use different hardware for the toe strap. On ActiveFit and React bindings, pull the cinch-pull to loosen the toe straps. On 180 bindings, unclip the toe strap to separate the two sides and, if necessary, pull the strap so that it loosens the binding enough to get your foot in.

    Positioning

    • Be sure that you have the proper snowshoe for the given foot. Snowshoes are asymmetrical so there is a left and right. If you can't tell by looking, check to make sure the heel strap buckle is located on the outside of your foot. Place your foot into the binding. Center the ball of your foot over the rotating mechanism below.

    Tightening Bindings

    • Align the top of the binding so that it's centered on your boot. On React and Active Fit bindings, pull the two straps simultaneously out and down until the top of the binding is snugly secured onto your boot. Place the strap ends into the strap clips on either side of the binding. On 180 bindings, clip the two sides into place, pull the toe strap tight around your boot and place the strap end into the clip. Pull the heel strap taut so that it holds the heel of the boot in place. Put any excess heel strap into the clip on the other side.

    Testing

    • Do a short test walk prior to beginning your hike. Make sure that the bindings are fully secure around your boot without leaving any wiggling room. Check to make sure that the heel strap remains cupped around your heel without sliding off. Make any adjustments and you're ready to go.