Snowshoes and Similar Gear

Snowshoes allow us to explore some really fun places in the winter for snowshoes hikes, snow camping and snowpacking.

Ice Cleats

Use these for those icy hikes and scrambles where snowshoes are NOT needed.  These are also great for use around snow covered parking lots and campsites.

• Kahtoola MICROspikes 

  • The BEST for snow covered hikes and scrambles

  • Excellent bite and traction on ice and snow

  • Really expensive

• Yaktrax 

  • Far less aggressive than Kahtoola MICROspikes 

  • Good for walking on both ice and pavement where giant spikes are too much

  • Much more affordable than Kahtoola MICROspikes 

• Cleats found on Amazon 

  • Generally work fine for walking around parking lots and snow covered sidewalks

  • Some fall off easily  

Mountaineering Crampons

These are very aggressive cleats made for climbing ice covered mountains.  This is NOT what you want on hikes and outings and are somewhat dangerous for Scouts to use.  If we go on a special climb adventure, we will talk about these and all the other gear needed for that adventure.  In general, it is better to rent or borrow these when needed. 

Snowshoe Types

There are different types of snowshoes for different type of uses

• Hiking/Recreational Snowshoes 

• Technical Snowshoes 

• Running/Fitness Snowshoes 

Recreational/Hiking Snowshoes 

Suitable for general use for most of our snowshoe hikes.  These are sometimes referred to as flat or rolling terrain shoes or entry level snowshoes.

Technical Snowshoes 

These are designed for heavier duty use in the backcountry with more aggressive crampons.  These should last many seasons before the bindings fail.  Our Show Outing Scoutmasters generally use technical snowshoes.

• Atlas Montane

• MSR Evo Ascent

  • There are great for crusty snow where traction is more important than flotation 

• MSR Lightning Ascent

• Tubbs Mountaineer Snowshoes

  • Longer shoes are excellent when you need floatation on really soft snow

• TSL Symbioz Elite

• Wildhorn Delano X2

Running Snowshoes

Designed for running on groomed trails.  Great for hardpack where you can get away without snowshoes for floatation but could really use some crampons and where a little flotation would be nice.  These are generally not the shoes you want on a snowshoe trip with our Troop. 

• Atlas Run

• Crescent Moon Luna

  • Foam Shoe

• Dion Racers

Poles

Poles are pretty important for snowshoeing.  They reduce the load on your legs, help propel you and play a huge part in balance.

Adjustable Poles

Poles need to be adjustable.  You can adjust them up or down when going down and up hill.  You can also shorten them up for storage or lengthen them out if using them as shelter supports.  Scouts also grow, so you'll want something that can be used over the years and with different users.

• • Come with Costco Snowshoe Kits

  • REI 

  • Many if not most hiking poles can be outfitted with snow baskets

Snow Baskets

You MUST have Snow Baskets.

Without Snow Baskets, your poles will sink into the snow and provide no benefit. 

• • REI Co-op Trekking Pole Snow Baskets

  • Black Diamond Powder Snow Baskets

If you are using Snow Baskets on your Hiking Poles, keep the Mud Baskets that came with your poles.  The snow baskets will catch on brush and aren't great in the spring, summer and fall.  You'll want to switch back to mud baskets after the winter. 

Waterproof Gaiters

These are required to keep snow out of your boots when trekking through deep snow or building snow shelters.

Full Length Gaiters

Full length gaiters are recommended for deep snow.

See our Gaiters Page for more on these.

Snowshoe Gear

You must have the following items when snowshoeing

• Waterproof Boots

  • See our Winter Footwear Page 

• Repair Kit 

  • Someone needs to have paracord and duct tape to mend economy or aged snowshoes that fail on the trial or at the trailhead

• MSR Snowshoes Tails

  • MSR Snowshoes may need Snowshoe Tails for better flotation in deep snow