What's your preferred footwear for a day of snowshoeing?

Is there a generally accepted "best" shoe/boot to wear with snowshoes?

Note: Assume the primary use is dayhiking using snowshoes (daypack only).

I've never actuall snowshoed but that isn't going to stop me from giving an opinion here.

From what I have read, I would say that for a dayhike, you can wear pretty much anything you like -- since at the end of the day, you'll be going back to your car, changing into some nice dry shoes and going home.

Things get more complicated if you are on a multi day trek.

Edited by bobg on 12/06/2005 14:36:12 MST.

>What's your preferred footwear for a day of snowshoeing?


I had fun snowshoeing last week in Lands' End Extreme Squall Boots (2#12.5oz/pair men's size 12, $49.50). They stayed warm, didn't wet through, and didn't slip around.

I also used Sorel Arcadias (warm but way too heavy), and carried a backpack full of alternate boots to try. After using the Squalls and Sorrels, I didn't bother trying out any of the other boots, which were all heavier or not particularly good for winter anyway.

I also have Montrail Susitna XCR trail running shoes (2#3.2oz/pair men's size 12 + 2.2oz/pair gaiters) that I'm going to try. A pair of neoprene overboots might be necessary.

The temperature is 0 F and dropping to -20 F, so maybe I'll take the Squalls back out and see if I lose any toes.

Edited by Otter on 01/21/2006 19:43:10 MST.

I'd recommend the cheapest XCR lined trail running shoe that fits well.

I go snowshoeing on the nearby Grand Mesa in Colorado as often as possible. I use Salomon XA Comp XCR (past, Size 11, 884g) or Montrail Susitna II XCR (most recently, Size 11, 863g) with either ID eVent Gaiters (Large, 69g) or Outdoor Research Crocodiles (Large, 263g).

Craig Shelley

>I also have Montrail Susitna XCR trail running shoes (2#3.2oz/pair men's size 12 + 2.2oz/pair gaiters) that I'm going to try. A pair of neoprene overboots might be necessary.


Went snowshoeing today in these. Temp was about +15F, which is probably the lower limit for me to use these shoes without something warm over them. After an hour or so my big toes lost feeling, but since I frostnipped them a few years ago they get cold easy. The rest of my toes and feet were warm enough. The gaiters worked well, and didn't let any snow inside the shoes.

The reason I picked the Susitnas is because the waterproof membrane is on the outside. The heat from my feet did melt some snow on the outside of the shoes, but it didn't soak the shoe because it couldn't get into the material. That kept my feet and the shoes dry.

If you have enough space, you can try various options that have been discussed on this forum. For example, wear a very lightweight pair of socks (I use either Smartwool RBX Ultralight 31g/pair, Patagonia Capilene Silkweight Endurance, 35g/pair). Over that use a produce-section thin plastic bag (I like this better than the ID vapor sock). Add a second pair of socks (the same as above or it could be a thicker wool sock).

I don't have any problem with much lower temperatures than 15F. The Susitna has the advantage of the Goretex on the outside, the reason I decided to switch to them (but they are pricey and you might find much lower prices on other trail running shoes).

Overboots are commonly suggested. I haven't used them yet, but I would probably want to if I were bacpacking with snowshoes, something I haven't done yet. I doubt if they are necessary for a typical day hike in snowshoes.

Craig Shelley

Edited by craig_shelley on 12/09/2005 07:51:01 MST.

I asked eariler if anyone could tell me the difference b/w the Susitna and the Mountain Mist, which is the XCR version of the Hardrock.

Ryan--Why do you choose the Susitna over the Mountain Mist, being that you are a fan of the Hardrock????

Jeremy,

As indicated in the post above, the Sustina has the Gortex as part of the construction instead of a bootie. The Mist description doesn't say it does this so I assume it does not. Also, the Sustina is 4oz lighter/pair on average. Prob more for larger sizes.

Bob

I snowshoe quite a bit, at work I use sorel caribou's but for recreation I use a salomon storm gtx. A light weight trail runner would be nice with a racing snowshoe depending on the temp...and when it's really cold I use steger artic mukluks