How to Choose a Snowshoe

A pair of snowshoes typically falls into one of the following categories: adventure, recreational or back country, according to REI.com. Choosing the correct pair of snowshoes requires that you know what type of activities you will engage in while wearing them. Whether you want to take a leisurely stroll through the snow with your family or an invigorating hike on your own, you need to pick a pair of snowshoes suited for your activity.

Instructions

    • 1

      Go to a sporting goods store and locate the correct type of snowshoes. Snowshoes are made for men, women and children. Men's snowshoes are larger than women's, and children's are organized by age. Women's snowshoes often start at 21 inches wide and are narrower than men's. They also have more contoured frame designs. Compact versions of children's snow shoes are intended for light snow play while larger versions are used for difficult terrain or hiking.

    • 2

      Plan what activities you will do in your snowshoes. You need to know if you will be walking on flat terrain or hiking on steep or icy terrain. Consider the areas where you will travel. If they are full of forest area and brush, more compact shoe types will work better than those that are larger.

    • 3

      Add your body weight to the estimated weight of your gear to determine how much load you will put on the snowshoes. This will help you determine the correct size. Snowshoes are not sized like shoes or boots. Instead, the higher load you have, the bigger shoe you will need. Each pair of snowshoes should have a load carrying capacity listed that you can use as a guide to choose the correct size. Obtain the smallest snowshoe that matches your load capacity. This will make for better flotation and maneuvering.

    • 4

      Inspect the snowshoes for bindings and traction devices to ensure they fit your purposes. Floating or rotating and fixed bindings exist. Floating bindings pivot, reduce leg fatigue and allow you to steer in the snow, but it's difficult to climb over obstacles or back up. Fixed bindings pivot much less than floating ones, so they make it easier to back up or step over objects. Yet, they kick snow up on the back of your legs. Traction devices help give you greater grip in the snow. Choose more aggressive traction devices if you are planning on traveling in steep, icy conditions.