Snowshoes for big loads

And I mean big. I weigh about 250, and it's nothing to have an additional 50 lbs of gear/clothing/boots when I'm out snowshoeing.

So does anyone know of any bona fide big-load snowshoes capable of floating over 300 lbs? I've looked over all the brand names, and the biggest flotation generally says "over 250 lbs," but what they say to market their shoes and how those shoes perform in the real world are not the same.

I've just doubled the amount of rawhide webbing in my old rawhide/ash 14x48 Michigan style shoes and we'll see how that does. I've been on several of the largest synthetic shoes, too, and they aren't any better flotation-wise.

I know there isn't a snowshoe made that will float 300 pounds in light deep powder and still be small enough to fit into a pickup, and I know I'm running up against snowshoe size constraints dictated by the simple square-inch physics of flotation. Also, the long cross-country style shoes don't work well in the woods, so those are out.

I'd appreciate your perspectives.

No real solution Steve, but I'm looking too. You've got me by 20 pounds, but I still struggle with or without the load. Something to cross OFF your list: I got a pair of MSR best from REI along with the add on tails to support extra loads. Fuggeddaboudit!!!!!!!! Adding the tails shifts your COG so far forward they're next to useless for anything but climbing uphill. They're just right for my wife without the tails, so she's using them, the tails are in the garbage, and I'm back to the search.

You might check the REI and MSR sites. They've usually got good background info on gear choices, so I'd expect the same kind of coverage on choosing snowshoes.

I think what you're looking for is called a toboggan.

I would suggest you contact Havlick Snow Shoe Company in Mayfield, NY web site www.havlicksnowshoe.com/. Phone 518-661-6447. Give them your specs and they probably can make something . I am happy with what I got there a few years ago.

I have 2 pairs of 30" snowshoes. One pair are Redfeathers, the other Tubbs. The redfeathers are lighter and narrower. The Tubbs do a bit better in the powder. I tip the scales at 250 and will easily haul a 65 pound pack if I'm camping.

These are not great, but they're the best I've managed so far and are the largest synthetic snowshoes I've found.

One option that might be better is skis. 215cm XC skis seem a bit better at keeping you from breaking through when there is a frost layer over powder, but they're a lot trickier. Doing a tele turn on skinny 215s with a 65lb pack is a wicked challenge. And climbing a big hill herringbone style is fun too (not).

You are up against the laws of physics, Steve. If you get snowshoes that are too wide, you will booger the tendons in your groin. If you get shoes that are too long, you cannot move through dense woods. You have to have a curve up on 10-15% of the length or the toes turn into snow shovels. And the weight of the shoes themselves goes up with the size of the shoes. My suggestion would be to use a toboggan for most of the gear you would have on your back and keep a more normal-sized shoe.

And, as you say, Ely, like Fairbanks, has dry, powdery snow as often as not, compounding the problem.

Thanks, guys. I guess I could also lose some weight.

OK, maybe your solution has three parts: lose weight, use a tobaggon, and make some snow shoes by sawing a 4x8 sheet of plywood in half and nailing a pair of boots in the center of them. Seriously though, I use a plastic sled from Walmart to haul my heavy battery packs & lights etc. in. It does two things for me. First, it gets the weight off me so I don't flounder in the the drifts, and second I think it's safer when I cross ice. There's less weight on me, and if I drop through at least my camera gear won't get wet.


Kent in SD

My Dad and I occasionally do some winter backpacking. He does ironman triathalons at age 60 and probably weighs a good hundred pounds less than me.

He hauls a sled (a mountainsmith sled and harness truly intended for snow travel) and I carry a pack. I really don't think the sled makes life any easier. The sled creates alot of drag if the snow hasn't been compacted well and it pulls on your hips in a strange way that can be tiring. It is easier for him if I break the trail in powder so that his sled sits in a smoother channel after two sets of snowshoes. Despite his athletic endurance, in a day of winter travel I usually keep a stronger pace with my backpack.

Granted, we live in Colorado where the snow is particularly dry and light powder and this may not be an issue in places where the snow packs better. I would encourage you to try the sled route, but don't be surprised if it doesn't work well.

Iverson's in Shingleton, Mi lists a pair (in fact two) for 300 lbs. Might at least give them a call.
Here's a link: http://www.iversons-snowshoes.com/snowshoes.php

I had a pair from them for years in the U.P. and they held up great.

I don't remember the brand but I saw a pair of 36" snowshoes in Sportsman's Warehouse (Grand Junction, CO) last week that were rated to 300 lbs. Their site doesn't show them but you might call and ask about them. Until then, I had never seen snowshoes longer than 30".

Steve,

I do a LOT of winter mountaineering and ski backpacking in the Catskills and the Adirondacks. I come in at 210 (6' 3") and my gear weight is usually around 35-40 lbs for 3-4 days in the backcountry. I travel lighter than most. My regular setup - terrain permitting - is a gear sled which carries the bulk of he weight. I hook the sled poles to the hip belt of my winter daypack. This has the advantage of spreading the pulling weight across my entire upper body, which is much better balanced than just a hip belt and you can throw your shoulders into it if needed. The daypack holds all my daily equipment: food, water, emergency gear, extra clothing layers, etc.

I usually pack both xc skis and snowshoes and use whichever is most efficient for the conditions and terrain. Skis are Karhu Orions - short + wide and easy to control in the woods and on narrow trails. They will climb surprisingly steep inclines with a good set of skins. Snowshoes are MSR Evo Ascents - very good all around with grip on inclines and traverses their specialty - non better in tricky terrain. As Hank says, forget the tails - they are a waste. I have a pair of Tubbs Mountain 36's, but rarely use them. The skis provide equivalent flotation and work about as wel in the woods. Skis are much better on packed trails, too.

The real issue you are facing is flotation. Manufacturer ratings are pretty meaningless. I bought the Mountain 36's as they had the 250 lb rating. They are better than the Evo Ascents in the deep soft stuff, but not by much when carrying a load. The Evos are better on every other front, plus they have the best binding system on the market. I find that I'm on crusty or packed snow most of the time, so the advantage falls to the Evos. I haven't had the Mountain 36's out of the garage in 3 years.

A decent gear sled can be set up for well under $50. I use a plastic kids sled with rope/pvc poles and small biner clips. Cost about $30 total. I've been using it for 7 years now. It follows behind skis or snowshoes really well - just keep the load low and spread out. Google 'gear sled' or 'pulk' for different ideas and designs.

Thanks for the options, folks. I'll be looking into them.

Last Christmas I bought hubby (he's nearly 300 lbs) a pair of Redfeather Hike snowshoes and they work great. I got him model 36 size. He was amazed how well they floated him on top of the snow. They are VERY reasonably priced too. He never thought he'd be able to trek with me. Here's a link:

http://www.redfeather.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=9

Pam

I'm 6'3" 200 lbs, with a load i can get to 230 easy. So I bought the biggest ones possible. They work great. size 36 Tubbs. Attached is one of my last year snowshoe pictures.

Nice photo, Rohn, but I don't see the snowshoes <vbg>