Difference Between Men & Women's Snowshoes

Snowshoe manufacturers take the typical size, shape, and gait differences between men and women into account when designing snowshoes.

  1. Size

    • Women's snowshoes often have less surface area. They are smaller in order to support the generally smaller size of women.

    Design

    • The typically curvy hips and narrower strides of a woman, as compared to most men, lead to "thinner and more tapered" snowshoes.

    Winter Footwear

    • Binding on women's snowshoes are narrower to fit the often narrower women's winter footwear.

    Arch Support

    • Bindings on women's snowshoes have additional arch support.

    Traction

    • Traction devices and crampons on snowshoes are placed in different locations to adjust for the smaller foot size of a woman.