Snowshoes keep you on top of the snow by spreading your weight over a larger surface. Too small and you sink; too large and you walk awkwardly and tire quickly. The right size depends mainly on your total load, meaning your weight with clothes and boots plus your pack, and on the type of snow.
The method
- Total load = body weight with gear + pack weight
- Choose the size whose rated load covers that total
- In deep powder, go one size up; on packed trails, the smaller size is easier to walk in
A traditional rule is about 1 sq in of snowshoe surface per pound of load for each snowshoe.
Typical size chart
| Total load | Packed snow and trails | Deep powder |
|---|---|---|
| up to 150 lb | 21 to 22 in | 25 in |
| 150 to 200 lb | 25 in | 30 in |
| 200 to 250 lb | 30 in | 30 to 36 in |
| over 250 lb | 36 in | 36 in or flotation tails |
Charts differ between brands, so always check the maker’s maximum load.
Example
A hiker weighing 170 lb with boots and clothes, carrying a 20 lb pack, has a total load of 190 lb. On packed trails, 25 in snowshoes fit; in deep powder off trail, 30 in snowshoes float better.
Other features to consider
- Terrain: rolling or mountain models have aggressive crampons and heel lifts for climbing.
- Bindings: easy to adjust with gloves, and compatible with your boots.
- Women’s models are narrower with a shorter frame, for a natural stride.
- Flotation tails add length to the snowshoe for deep snow or heavy loads.
- Kids’ snowshoes usually come in 16 to 19 in.
Using poles
Poles with snow baskets help balance and take load off your legs, especially going uphill and downhill.
Safety
Check the avalanche forecast before heading into the backcountry: snowshoers are caught in avalanches too. Carry a transceiver, a probe and a shovel, and know how to use them, when you travel in avalanche terrain.