Cross training - does anyone snowshoe?

[SadieKate]

Thanks, roadie gal, for the suggestions of where but it is the getting there and back that is the problem. We want to avoid the hectic traffic corridors of I-80 and Highway 50. Going up 49 towards Nevada City might be a better option. It just simply isn't worth the terror of driving with all the fatigued and drunk skiers/partiers/pseudo drivers.

[Kathi]

Here's an article from today's Denver Post,

http://www.denverpost.com/fitness/ci_4896676

[sarahkonamojo]

I've only used snow shoes once. The modern ones are nice and simple to use. I prefer skis because I like to go downhill fast.

There are limitations to snow shoes: they aren't very good on ice/hardpark or a traverse. Breaking trail can be a lot of work. Take your terrain into consideration when chosing gear. Don't forget the safety gear: first aid, repair kit, hand warmers, etc.

Whatever gets you outside and moving, that is the key.

Enjoy the winter anyway you can
sarah

[DebW]

My weight fully loaded would range between 140 and 165, so I figure a size 25"-27" might be right. I would be walking mostly gently rolling terrain, some packed trails with perhaps some ice under the snow, a few steep hills and some woodland walking trails, but no huge mountains or trail-less wilderness, and no running.
I know that women-specific snowshoes are a good idea because of our different stance and stride from men....but I worry because i have fairly big feet (size 9) and my winter boots are all quite bulky- the bindings on the pictures of some of the better snowshoes look like they are made for dainty women's size 6 or 7 boots with narrow pointy toes. My boots are all big and chunky and have thick blunt toes. Is this an issue? Anyone with big boots have any favorites?
Thanks...

I've never used women-specific snowshoes. I currently use the MSR Denalis, which are a plastic deck with very good traction for steep hills and traverses, plus a heel elevator for the steeper stuff. I also used flat wooden 'shoes for many many years (with 1/2 a crampon lashed to the bottom). If you have long legs and a long stride, I don't think you need women's 'shoes. You don't have to walk with your feet wider as long as you step far enough to avoid landing on your own 'shoe. Also compare your boot side to the 'shoe size to ensure that your weight will be balanced fore-aft on the 'shoe. I much prefer a binding that pivots freely rather than the springy ones that throw snow up your back at every step, but they all work pretty well.

[xeney]

We used to snowshoe regularly, but the problems SadieKate identifies have kept us out of the mountains for the last three or four years. Castle Peak is my favorite spot for snowshoeing, and if you go mid-week it tends to be fairly deserted, but it's hard to take a day off like that in the middle of the school year. We tried some trails above Donner Lake once, but dogs were prohibited, and our oldest dog loves snow so much that we can't leave him behind. (He has been known to jump out of the car window at the sight of a snow bank.)

My husband also has knee problems and he has had some difficulty with snowshoes. I think it depends on the type of knee injuries involved, because just walking and hiking are hard on him, as well, and snowshoeing is basically hiking x 10.

[Kathi]

I've never used women-specific snowshoes. I currently use the MSR Denalis, which are a plastic deck with very good traction for steep hills and traverses, plus a heel elevator for the steeper stuff. I also used flat wooden 'shoes for many many years (with 1/2 a crampon lashed to the bottom). If you have long legs and a long stride, I don't think you need women's 'shoes. You don't have to walk with your feet wider as long as you step far enough to avoid landing on your own 'shoe. Also compare your boot side to the 'shoe size to ensure that your weight will be balanced fore-aft on the 'shoe. I much prefer a binding that pivots freely rather than the springy ones that throw snow up your back at every step, but they all work pretty well.

Whether or not you need women's snowshoes doesn't have anything to do with the length of your legs or your stride it has to do with Q-angle.

http://www.gla.ac.uk/ibls/fab/glossary/qangle.html

My ski instructor showed us this test for Q-angle. Start with your feet hip width apart and walk in a figure 8. If your feet come together when you start to turn you have q-angle. When you do it in the snow the walking pattern really shows up. But you can do it at home, just pay attention to where your feet are when you begin to turn.

I suggest demoing before you buy, that way you'll know which ones will work for you.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

My question is- does anyone here have big feet (size 9 or so) and have any trouble fitting their big winter hiking boots into women-specific snowshoe bindings? I keep reading how women's snowshoes are sized for "women's sized shoes"- does that create a problem for larger boots?

[Kathi]

My question is- does anyone here have big feet (size 9 or so) and have any trouble fitting their big winter hiking boots into women-specific snowshoe bindings? I keep reading how women's snowshoes are sized for "women's sized shoes"- does that create a problem for larger boots?

I use my regular hiking shoes, which are leather and high top. At a REI women's snowshoe clinic the gal from Atlas recommended goretex trail running shoes. One of the snowshoe companies said their womens sizes went up to a size 10.

In my handout they listed Salomon Footwear, XA Comp 2 Gore-Tex XCR.

Also what to look for "FACT" Flotation, Articulation, Comfort, Traction.

Flotation: The greater the surface area the more flotation you achieve.

Articulation: Bindings should keep your heel stable and allow for lateral movement of your foot.

Comfort: Bindings shouldn't pinch and should be right and left specific.

Traction: Snowshoe crampons should allow for three types of stability: climbing, descending and traversing.

Atlas has some women's workshops scheduled in Jan.

http://www.atlassnowshoe.com/snowshoeing/workshop.asp

[Trekhawk]

Hey, Trek! Where do you go? Bill and I haven't snowshoed in forever because of the traffic going up toward Truckee. We used to hike up to the bowl by Castle Peak and glissade down if it had powder (tough in find in the Sierras). If we can go someplace without the weekend ski traffic, we'll be there! We even have a Mountain Smith sled to haul a boat load of snacks.

Sorry SK just saw this post - I have been busy putting all manner of toys together, reading stories and playing What's in Ned's head? LOL dont ask about that one.

We normally head up towards Castle Peak but I agree the crowds, traffic etc can be a drag. Last winter we did do a little snowshoeing off 49 above Nevada City along some trails but you really cant get far enough away from the road for my liking. Also last winter we had a lot of snow (by local standards) so Im not sure if those same areas will have anywhere near that amount of snow this year.

I got a great book last winter that lists lots of good snowshoeing areas in Northern California (I cant seem to find it at the moment). When I manage to dig it out I will PM you if I find any that look good for you and MR SK and that keep you away from the hoards of people and traffic.

[Dianyla]

My question is- does anyone here have big feet (size 9 or so) and have any trouble fitting their big winter hiking boots into women-specific snowshoe bindings? I keep reading how women's snowshoes are sized for "women's sized shoes"- does that create a problem for larger boots?

Lisa - I've got bigass feet (10EEEE, as well as being high volume thanks to high arches and a high instep) and I am very happy with my MSR Women's Lightening Ascent shoes. Rather than those "bearhug" style bindings, these just have three independent slim rubber straps (toe, ankle, and heel) that will fit over large boots. And, the ascension bar is very very nice to have for uphills.

[DebW]

My question is- does anyone here have big feet (size 9 or so) and have any trouble fitting their big winter hiking boots into women-specific snowshoe bindings? I keep reading how women's snowshoes are sized for "women's sized shoes"- does that create a problem for larger boots?

I wear size 9 shoes, and use big bulbous army surplus Korean boots (good to -20F) or double boots for showsnoeing. Never tried women's snowshoes though. I like the MSR Denalis. Don't know about Q-factor but if I could hike mountains in 13x23 flat wooden snowshoes, I obviously learned to compensate.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Lisa - I've got bigass feet (10EEEE, as well as being high volume thanks to high arches and a high instep) and I am very happy with my MSR Women's Lightening Ascent shoes.

With feet like that, why would you even NEED snowshoes??
(JUST KIDDING!!!!)

All kidding aside....
Thank you all for your help!
After reading lots of info online about snowshoeing and doing a lot of comarison shopping, I bought some snowshoes that I think would probably work well for me.
They are the Tubbs Odyssey women-specific, 8" x 25" with good crampons and what seem to be good pivoting features. There are a few pretty good hills here on my walks, though no mountains. Here they are shown on LLBean's site, (but I got mine from another dealer for $155 instead of $199):
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/sto...rValue_1=Lemon
I think they will be the right size for me and the right balance, somewhere midpoint between flat "recreational" and uber-aggressive mountain climbing type shoes.

I also ordered some women's adjustable poles and some Gortex gaiters.
Now instead of dreading snow because I'll be off my bike, I have something exciting to look forward to if the white stuff comes down! This being outside in the winter business is all totally new to me. It's only possible because I finally figured out how to dress properly thanks to my cold weather biking. All my life I've avoided being outside in the winter, shivering miserably in bulky acrylic sweaters, heavy coats, and cheap boots. I also had some good winter wear advice from a pro-skiing girlfriend. She and my DH set me straight, and now I love being outside in the brisk cold.

Golly, a whole new world opening up for me at 52....whoodda thunk?

[LBTC]

Way to go, Lisa!

With a good 4" of fresh snow today, DH and I just bought the Atlas snowshoes, mine are women's specific 1023, his 1025. They feel good, the bindings are easy to use, and we definitely burn more calories while we are outside in them!

We just went to a local dog trail loop and the dogs and we really enjoyed the whole thing. I just need to get waterproof pants and figure out how to not shoot snow all over my backside! My bum is very cold and was very wet!!

Off to look at gore tex pants....

(this is way above gaitor height!)

Happy snow to everyone, no matter how you get out to enjoy it!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

LBTC,
That's so THRILLING, you and DH and dogs all out there snowshoeing for the first time together today in fresh snow!! How great is THAT? (dogs were using thier "natural" snowshoes though)
Interesting about the wet bum issue- I'll have to see if that happens to me. I did get gaiters so the snow wouldn't get in my boots. I imagine it depends on your walking style, your shoes, and the type of snow all combining to dictate the degree of "snow flip". Did your husband get snowflipbum too, or just you??

I'm so happy for you- I can hear the excitement in your post!

[LBTC]

I'm very very happy now as I sit on my hot pack to warm up my bum! hahahaha

DH had much less snow flip than I did. Definitely a lot on his calves, and the occasional splat onto the bottom of his jacket, but not much else. His pants were more waterrepellent than mine, he's taller, and he just didn't have as much snow flipping up as I did! Try as I did to keep my shoes flat, slide my feet forward, even exagerating my weight onto my heels, the snow still flipped up. I think the gore-tex cycling jacket I have that covers most of my bum will really help, and I should have better moisture wicking pants under the shell pants. It's not cold today, so I wasn't that worried about it, but even a cycling tight would have been better, I think.

So now I'm searching online for Gore Tex pants. MEC has 3 to choose from, but only one that is marginally affordable. REI does not have a Gore Tex women's pant even though they have 3 to choose from in men's. We have a FarWest store, but that brand does not make a women's Gore Tex pant either. It's amazing. It's like manufacturers think women don't DO things! heehee

And, yes, the fresh snow is fabulous and the dogs had a fantastic time! They got enough of a workout to be resting quietly now instead of insisting we play with the squeak!

When are you going to try your new shoes, Lisa??

Oh and if anyone has any suggestions of where to get gore tex pants (that are remotely affordable) please post!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~